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Kitten with open fontanelle and one eye bulging

Posted: Sat Apr 13, 2019 5:01 pm
by Choppa
Hello everyone,
I recently rescued a 6 week old kitten who had a URI and was seriously malnourished. Took him to the vet to treat the URI and he’s doing much better. The Kitten has an abnormally large forehead like an apple head chihuahua. Left eye is also bigger then right and seems to bulge out a bit. Ive now taken him to 2 different vets to get more info, both vets let me know his head is deformed, he has an open fontanelle/soft spot and it won’t close now. Neither vet had much info past “wait and see”. one vet claimed she hadn’t seen this before outside of kittens with hydrocephalus, but this kitten has no neurological/behavioral symptoms that I’ve or the vet notices. He’s been on antibiotics and fluids for the URI and malnourishment. Plays, eats, uses the litter box on his own. Just wondering if anyone has any helpful info or if you’ve seen this or something similar before. I’m hoping to give him the best chance possible to be healthy so am trying to be proactive but everything I find on the internet comes up as hydrocephalus, which is pretty disheartening and negative.
Thank you in advance for your responses and help!

Re: Kitten with open fontanelle and one eye bulging

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 10:59 am
by CarolC
Hi Choppa,

I do not know anything about this but I did remember an article about it. I think critters is the one who originally found it. :D Here is a link and I hope someone with kitten experience will reply.

try www.messybeast.com/freak-face.htm

:hotpink:

Re: Kitten with open fontanelle and one eye bulging

Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:12 am
by Bendy Kitty
Hey there!!
iMom is having trouble logging in so cute lil me came down from the Bridge to help.

Your kitty doesn't have neuro problems now but the brain might not be be able to grow and develop properly, which is the concern with human babies with thsi kind of problem.

There is a lady on Facebook who cares for hydrocephalus cats and while your kitten is not hydro, she knows the kinds of docs you would need to talk to.
her FB page is https://www.facebook.com/SuperHeroSHAHS/

this is her non FB page
https://superheroandzeke.com/

I didn't see where you are located, she is in NJ and tehre is a team of specialists at Red Bank Hospital. She has helped kitties all over the US find local resources. Most vets aren't going to know what to do with a kitten like that. Your kitten is going to need specialty care.

headbonks and purrrs

your friend,
Bendy Cute Kitty

Re: Kitten with open fontanelle and one eye bulging

Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 8:25 am
by critters
:whale: Yes, hydrocephalic babies aren't terribly uncommon. One was to have come to me years ago, but he died before he got here. I think they're considerably more fragile than other disabilities, but they can make it. Your baby seems remarkably high functioning! I wonder if somebody could put in a shunt? That's what they do for humans with the condition.

Re: Kitten with open fontanelle and one eye bulging

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 7:30 pm
by Bendy Kitty
this kitten doesn't have hydrocephalus so doesn't need a shunt, it has a mis-shaped skull which is why the eyes are bulging. I actually type medical notes about this kind of stuff in human babies. The skull needs to be reshaped and how that is done in tiny kittens I really don't know. The link I provided can get this person in touch with neurology vet specialists who would know how to handle it, and hopefully be able to find them help close to home.

Re: Kitten with open fontanelle [head protection]

Posted: Wed Apr 17, 2019 10:26 pm
by FYI