Holly Update: I know this is sooner than we anticipated, but when performing a necropsy, they do start with the brain..... Remember, how we thought one of the possibilities was that she suffered a head trauma (like from a fall or something)? Well, this may be a distinct possibility. Now, I am going to tell you what the pathologist found. Hydrocephalus - Hydrocephalus means literally water on the brain and is a build up of fluids in the skull and brain. Most often you see this in cats and dogs right after birth and you will see that the baby has an enlarged, dome-shaped head. When it is present at birth or shortly thereafter, it is called Primary Hydrocephalus. These babies usually do not mature past a 8-12 weeks. You see Hydrocephalus most often in the toy dog breeds. In cats, there is no breed predisposition and it is rare that you see it in any breed, much less a cat. What Holly had is called Secondary Hydrocephalus which is precipitated by a tumor, trauma and inflammation. Primary or secondary Hydrocephalus cannot be cured or reversed. I want to make sure that everyone understands the following: There is no breed predisposition for Hydrocephalus in the Persian breed. Please do not worry about your cat or kitten developing Hydrocephalus. This was a fluke thing with Holly. I am glad that we know what happened with her, but more importantly, I am relieved that this diagnosis means that there is no toxin in my home, some kind of contagious disease in my home, or a gene that one of the cats is passing on to their babies. This diagnosis means that my home, environment is safe. I would have been unable to live with myself and continue raising and breeding Persian cats, if I had not gotten a clearance on these issues. By the way, Hollys dad is 11 years old and her mother (Tempest) and grandmother (Itzy, now known as Gracie) are still alive and healthy. Also, I have been breeding for over 30 years now (first German Shepherd Dogs and now Persian cats) and have NEVER had a personal experience with Hydrocephalus. I am stressing these points (repeating lol) because I want to make sure that none of you who have cats/kittens from me think that now your baby may develop this. They wont. Again, thank you to everyone for your incredible support and kind words throughout this ordeal.
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 12:49:13 +0000