4 Week Old Stray – Is there hope? PLEASE Help!

Morgan,

You did not say what the Vet called your kitten’s condition but it sounds like “Water on the Brain”. Treatment for this conditon (if this is kitty’s problem and it is rare in cats) will prove very expensive and may still have a bad outcome. Most Vet’s will not even offer putting you in touch with a facility equipped to perform the delicate shunt surgery that would allow the fluid to drain. Even medication such as steroids would be an ongoing expense.

You need to ask your Vet more questions and research the options. I know you love your baby and euthanization is the most dreaded option we have but at least we have it for our pets.

If you find you have to take this path, we will be here to support and grieve with you.

MORE INFO HERE:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/hydrocephalus.html

HOW DO ANIMALS GET HYDROCEPHALUS?

Most animals with hydrocephalus are puppies with congenital anomalies leading to hydrocephalus (they are not born with hydrocephalus but they are born with the anatomical problems that quickly lead to hydrocephalus). The most commonly affected breeds are those with a natural tendency towards the domed-head: Chihuahua, Pomeranian, Yorkshire terrier, English bulldog, Lhasa apso, Pug, Pekingese, Boston terrier, Maltese, toy poodle, and Cairn terrier)

What happens to these puppies is that parts of the brain called the “rostral colliculi” fuse together causing a narrowing of the aqueducts that carry the cerebrospinal fluid. In the cat, more common causes of narrowing of the aqueducts include maternal exposure to the drug griseofulvin (used to treat the ringworm fungus), and maternal exposure to the feline distemper virus during pregnancy. Inflammatory conditions in the brain can also cause swelling that narrows the aqueducts.

WHEN TO SUSPECT HYDROCEPHALUS

When a puppy or kitten is 8-12 weeks old, symptoms are usually evident. The skull looks especially round and there is an open fontanelle (“skull soft spot”) on the top of the head. The pet may show what is called the “setting sun” sign which means the eyes are directed downwards (and possibly outwards). The animal may suffer from seizures (less than 20% of affected puppies), blindness, pressing the head into corners, or extreme difficulty in house-training (over 75%).

Morgan,

This is without a doubt a tough situation and makes me feel blessed for the healthy little ones I have currently. My prayers are with you and your little one. I truly wish I could be of more help.

Morgan- I have not dealt with anything like this personally, but if it is spinal fluid, the kitten only has so much, and it needs to be around the brain and spinal column, and not in the exterior of the skull… I certainly think you should get the specific diagnosis form your vet, and then do some calls to others – a vet school if possible – but you also need to be prepared to possibley make a very hard decision. I have had to do that, and it is not easy, and you second guess yourself for a long time, but you will know when it is the right thing for the kitten. This is a soft place to land no matter what course you pursue! Come back and talk whenever you need to! {{{Morgan and kitten}}}

TL, I am not offended by your additonal input.

I admit I did not think of Spina Bifida because the report read that the Vet discovered a skull deformity with the fluid accumulation being at the back of the head. My memory of Spina Bifida is as it relates to the Manx cat and the invaluable research into the defects of the lower spine experienced by the more inbred of these unique cats.

Either of these diagnoses are potentially devistating and both have uncertain outcomes to surgical correction depending on the severity of the defect.

Morgan, I hope our clinical discussions of your babe’s possible condition does not distress you. We care and are reaching for answers to your questions with limited information.

A , I called it spina bifida for simplicity…it’s really likely a meningomyelocoele. Spina bifida type deformities occur often in conjunctioin with hydrocephalus. Mening. at the cervical level is very serious indeed, but sometimes if the defect is small and the neurological status is intact, it can be surgically repaired. Of courses, this justs needs further eval by a specialist.

Morgan, check in when you can, you have our heartfelt prayers.

Hello Morgan and welcome. I wish it was under happier circumstances. Best of Luck with your kitty. =(

Sooooooo happy to hear this good news. Hydrocephalus is far better a diagnosis than my thought ( in humans hydrocephalus is not something you can externally see and drain through the skin) . Ailuromaniac is our expert as usual.

At least in children hydrocephalus can remain stable for years, hope it’s true fro kitties also.

Did you change your baby’s name?lol

I am glad you took the baby for a second opinion and therefore found a more positive Vet to entrust with this littleone.

TL, I am not an expert just a bit of an information junkie. I took the description and ran with it. It helps that I have a touch of the Fey Irish in me. I even used to answer the phone before it rang…Back in the old analog line days.