Fading Kitten Caused by Hereditary & Congenital Abnormalities
There are many congenital abnormalities of cats which may become apparent during the first few months of life and some of these may cause death of young kittens. Some will be discovered on casual examination of the kittens, but in other cases a post mortem examination will be required to reveal their presence. Many inborn errors of metabolism are recognised in man and other species and these can only be diagnosed in life, often requiring sophisticated laboratory investigation.
abnormal shape of the head due congenital defect
A few such congenital defects of metabolism have been recognised in cats, but they have received little consideration in this species and it is likely that they may account for some of the occasional losses encountered in young kittens.
abnormal shape of the head due to hydrocephalus
Although congenital malformations may be acquired, e.g., cerebellar hypoplasia due to intrauterine parvovirus infection, many have a hereditary basis. They include many developmental disorders leading to musculoskeletal defects, hernias, and cardiovascular disorders.
In addition, many inborn errors of metabolism have been described that affect the intermediary metabolism. They include many storage diseases that lead to neuromuscular disorders. Hereditary disorders that may contribute to fading kitten syndrome and kitten mortality complex are listed below.
Absent of the fore brain
Hereditary diseases associated with fading kitten syndrome and kitten mortality complex :