Flattening of the sternum in kittens. Flat chest. Professional Veterinary Software

A Maine Coon kitten at the age of 4 months was admitted to the clinic for diagnosis respiratory disorders. During the initial clinical examination, shortness of breath was observed, the kitten did not tolerate physical exercise, the caudal part of the sternum is concave inward. According to the results of clinical examination and X-ray examination, a diagnosis of Pectus excavatum was made. Was held surgery, including the imposition of a splint on the sternum. Postoperative x-ray examination showed a decrease in the degree of concavity of the sternum, an increase in the depth of the chest in its caudal part.

Introduction

Disease history

After 2 weeks, at the control X-ray examination, FSI (1.6) and VI (7.2) were calculated. VI remained low (corresponding to a moderate degree of chest deformity), possibly due to the fact that the plate made of thermoplastic material made it possible to fix a small amount of segments of the sternum and did not provide satisfactory rigidity. Therefore, it was decided to replace it with a more rigid structure that allows fixing large quantity segments. This tire was made from synthetic plastic bandage(Cellacast Lohmann Rauscher) and repeated the external outlines of the chest healthy cat. As described above, the splint was fixed with 5 sutures around 5 segments of the sternum for 3 weeks. After the manipulation, the X-ray showed satisfactory fixation of the sternum, an increase in the distance from thoracic vertebra to the sternum (FSI and VI were not calculated). The tire was removed after 3 weeks. X-ray examination of the chest showed nice results fixation: FSI - 1.2 (normal) and VI - 8.6 ( mild degree deformation).

Discussion

Chest deformities are not uncommon in kittens. There are different degrees and types of deformation: they can affect spinal column(kyphosis, lordosis, scoliosis) and/or costal cartilage and sternum. The most common deformities of the costal cartilages and sternum are sunken chest (flat-chest) and funnel chest. rib cage(pectus excavatum). A sunken chest is a lesion of the costal cartilages, leading to a decrease in the chest in the dorsoventral direction. With a funnel-shaped chest, not only the costal cartilages are changed, but also the sternum (more often from the 5th-6th to the last segments). Usually the most pronounced deformation at the level of the 10th thoracic vertebra. Diagnosis is based on clinical examination and x-ray examination chest. To assess the severity of the pathology, FSI and VI are measured.

In the case of severe chest damage or severe clinical symptoms, surgical correction is necessary. Described various ways treatment of pectus excavatum. The least invasive is the application of an external splint. Large percutaneous sutures are carried out behind the segments of the sternum and fixed to the frame of a dense material. This method is most suitable for young animals from 14 days of age to 2-3 months of age, or, according to other sources, up to 4 months of age. For older animals, internal fixation with intramedullary staples or Kirschner wires may be required, and a combination of internal and external fixation methods is also possible. As a method of treatment, the removal of the affected segments of the sternum is also described. The animal described by us had a pronounced deformity of the sternum, accompanied by clinical symptoms Therefore, a decision was made to surgically correct the lesion. The age of the animal made it possible to use the method of external fixation of the sternum. At first, a thermoplastic bandage was used as a material for manufacturing, and the retainer was made in the form of a plate. Such fixation made it possible to minimize the funnel in the sternum, but the degree of flattening of the chest remained pronounced (VI-7.2). Therefore, it was decided to use the design U shape, repeating the contours of a normal chest and allowing better fixation of the sternum segments.
Both plate-style splints and U-shaped structures have been described in the literature as acceptable external fixation methods. In our clinical case a U-shaped design proved to be preferable. When using an external fixator in the form of a plate, there was less effect on the sternum, which early stages correction may be justified due to the risk of developing side effects such as pneumothorax, hemothorax; damage to the lungs, heart and blood vessels. Therefore, it is possible that with external methods of fixing the sternum segments, it is more acceptable to use structures different forms. Also in the literature, there are data on the timing of the imposition of fixators - from 2 to 6 weeks. For young animals, it is possible to apply a fixative to short term, for older animals - for a longer one. A longer period of use of devices for fixing the sternum is associated with the development inflammatory diseases skin under the fixator. In our case, the external design was used for 5 weeks and did not lead to the development of severe dermatitis. For determining optimal timing application of fixatives, it is necessary to conduct a large-scale study affecting animals of different age groups which currently remains a daunting task.

Literature:

1. Flat Chest Kitten (FCK) Defect and Pectus Excavatum. http://catvet.homestead.com/fck.html
2. Flat chest syndrome (kittens), 2012. Pectus excavatum
3. Hun-Young Yoon, F. A. Mann, Soon-wuk Jeong, Surgical correction of pectus excavatum in two cats, J Vet Sci. September 2008; 9(3): 335–337.
4. Kit Sturgess, Thoracic Wall Deformities in Kittens. http://www.ramesescats.co.uk/FCKSVeterinary.pdf
5. Lisa A Mestrinho, Carina A Ferreira, António M Lopes, Maria MRE Niza and Annick J Hamaide. Open surgical correction combined with an external splint for correction of a non-compliant pectus excavatum in a cat, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 14(2) 151–154, 2012.
6. Pectus Excavatum, 2004. http://www.vetsurgerycentral.com/pectus.htm
7. Douglas Slater. Textbook of small animal surgery, 3rd ed. 2003, p. 378-381.
8. Gary D. Norsworthy. The feline patient, 4th ed. 2011, p. 390-391.
9. Timothy M Charlesworth, Christopher P Sturgess, Increased incidence of thoracic wall deformities in related Bengal kittens, Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 14(6) 365–368, 2012.
10. Funnel chest deformity in cats. http://www.veterinar.org.ua/index10.htm
11. Therapy and surgery of puppies and kittens. - M .: Aquarium Print, 2004, p. 257-259.

The baby was born fifth, with a very strong crease on the tail. Otherwise, a normal cat, healthy, large. Gained weight perfectly, grew up with everyone on a par. On the 8th day, he developed a syndrome flat sternum (FCK - Flat Chested Kitten). We do not like to write about defects, so it was difficult to find how to deal with this further. I turned to Inna Vladimirovna Shustrova for help, she sent me a long article about this defect on English language. Having learned how it is written in English, I found more materials on this subject.

In most cases, flattening appears from the 2nd to the 10th day after birth. It's hard not to notice, because the kitten has flat ribs, with varying degrees expressiveness. In the figure from left to right: the correct chest, flattening of the sternum, funnel-shaped sternum.

As you can see, the degree of manifestation of this syndrome can be different, the survival rate of kittens depends on the degree of severity. The ribs can be completely flat below and even curl inward into the chest (funnel chest).

The critical age for kittens with FCKS is 3 weeks and 4 months. At 3 weeks, kittens die with a very strong severe syndrome due to difficulty breathing and, as a result, insufficient oxygen supply. At the age of 4 months, kittens die from compression of the lungs, and, as foreign sources write, from inversion of the sternum into the chest, violations of the diaphragm and compression of the heart. If the kitten is going through a critical age, then it grows into a normal healthy cat, like any of his peers. They also say that with age, the back and ribs return to normal and no one will notice that the kitten had any problems in childhood.

Symptoms:

• flat chest
• a hollow on the back behind the shoulder blades (the fact is that, as can be seen in the figure above, flattening occurs both above and below. Sometimes the back is more convex, sometimes flatter)
• labored and rapid breathing
• fast fatiguability
• decreased activity, apathy
• significant growth retardation
• kittens in general are in poorer condition compared to littermates
• legs are set apart, like in amphibians (popularly, the syndrome is also called “turtle chest”, ribs in thoracic region reminiscent of a turtle shell)

Where is it from?
The reasons for the birth of a kitten with flat chest syndrome can be different, but it is impossible to determine the exact cause. The following theoretical reasons are put forward:

• Environment– the cause of the syndrome may be factors such as too flat hard surface in the “nest”, with too high temperature. In such conditions, kittens disperse in different directions and lie on their backs, while normal temperature they lie all together, well, or in pairs, often changing position. The constant presence of the mother in the nest, as a result - the kitten may lie for a long time in one position. Bacteria or viruses are also suspected to cause this side effect.
• Food- perhaps the diet of a pregnant cat was not enough important vitamins and trace elements, or for some reason they were not absorbed. Hypotheses are put forward about the lack of selenium, taurine or calcium. However, there is no practical evidence for this.
• Genetics– perhaps FCKS or a predisposition to it is inherited genetically. Possibly polygenic inheritance, but autosomal recessive inheritance can also be assumed.

Caring for Kittens with Flattened Chest Syndrome (FCKS)
Foreign sources suggest different methods. Offer to wear a bandage made from a roll frame on kittens toilet paper to thus give the chest round shape, you can also do massages, it is also believed that swimming will help improve the tone of the intercostal muscles. I really can’t imagine how to make a two-week-old kitten swim ...

I looked at different sites, some of them have diaries from the life of such kittens. And that's what I definitely decided not to do - it's a bandage ... it seemed to me that if you squeeze the already compressed chest, the kitten would simply suffocate. I decided to do baby massages. Several times a day I took it out of the nest and with a little effort from both sides simultaneously massaged the ribs. At the same time, after a few days, I began to feel that the ribs began to smooth out from the sides. The most important thing for me was for the baby to stand on his feet, I thought that then he would be able to move more and the muscles would strengthen better.

I also made obstacles in the nest, such boulders from the bedding, so that the kittens had to overcome barriers on the way to the mother cat. Sometimes I carefully turned the baby on its side, you know, the first times were just terrible, imagine putting a turtle on the edge of the shell ... At the same time, breathing was very difficult. Gradually, I increased the time I slept on my side. I had to find support for the kitten, in the form of a brother-sister or mother 🙂 Now the baby can already sleep on his side.

Unlike terrible symptoms, which are given by me above (I took them from one English-language site), my baby did not have a lag in growth, appetite and condition. He is very mobile, gaining weight along with everyone. And a miracle happened, he learned to walk. Of course, compared to littermates, he keeps on his feet worse, but I think that everything will be fine with us.

About the Law of Vileness ...
I really wanted to keep a white cat from this litter.
Of course, this kitten will be the most extreme 😉 Absolutely white, with blue Siamese eyes. The name was chosen for him for a long time and found with a double meaning. As always - this is a hero from the cinema, this time from "Alice" Jack of Hearts. But for me he is the knight of my heart. Very tame, talkative and kissable. Meet Orientville's Knave of Hearts, Siamese white cat "foreign white".

Orientals are one of the unique breeds, unlike any other. Charismatic appearance and enough good health makes them very popular among cat lovers. Orientals have practically no specific ailments transmitted genetically, and with proper care and the maintenance of these animals live long enough. Only two problems, inherited from generation to generation, overshadow the cloudless life of Orientals and, as a result, their owners.

PROGRESSIVE RETINA ATROPHY

it hereditary defect(accepted abbreviation - PRA), in which the destruction of the visual cells of the retina of the eye occurs, which ultimately leads to complete or partial blindness of the animal. As soon as the process of cell atrophy affects nerve endings the process will become irreversible and it will be impossible to restore vision. The disease can develop in both young and adult animals. Symptoms of early progressive retinal atrophy are detected at the age of 3-4 months to 2 years, late atrophy - after 4-6 years.

PRA is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. This means that in outwardly healthy parents - carriers of the disease, the probability of having healthy kittens is 25%, while the rest will either be sick - also 25%, or carriers - 50%.

To understand that the animal is sick is not immediately possible, since the symptoms are blurred. During the day or with good lighting in a familiar room, the cat, as a rule, orients itself well, and begins to show anxiety only in the dark. The eyes look normal, without redness and excessive lacrimation. The animal does not squint or rub them, as the disease is painless. In addition, PRA develops over a long period of time, so the cat gradually gets used to its illness. Noticeable eye changes occur over late stages: the pupils of the pet dilate, sometimes the lens becomes opaque or cloudy.

Most effective way identify disease in early stage and do everything to stop complete loss vision, examination veterinary clinic. The diagnosis is made after an ophthalmological examination, less often resort to electroretinography. Examinations do not cause a cat pain. Unfortunately, PRA is not completely curable. Animals with suspected PRA are excluded from breeding and spayed. Breeders must be sure that none of the cats or males participating in breeding programs are carriers.

FLAT CHEST SYNDROME

Another problem in oriental animals is the flat chest syndrome in kittens (accepted abbreviation FCKS). it genetic disease leads to a significant deformation of the sternum - it either becomes flat or funnel-shaped. In most cases, flattening appears from the 2nd to the 10th day after birth. It is almost impossible not to notice the disease: in addition to the changed shape of the chest and a clearly visible depression on the back behind the shoulder blades, the kitten has difficulty and rapid breathing, fatigue, decreased activity. The animal is weaker than its littermates, its limbs are set apart, like in amphibians.

So far, it has not been possible to accurately determine the cause of the birth of sick kittens. Only theoretically possible versions are put forward: bacteria or viruses; malnutrition a pregnant cat, as a result of which she either lacks vitamins and trace elements, or they are not absorbed for some reason, as well as a genetic predisposition.

In a kitten with FCKS, the lungs do not expand properly. The animal needs effort to take a full breath and get enough oxygen. Probability lethal outcome very high - kittens die from constriction of the lungs and heart. However, in the case weak form diseases, there is a chance to save the kitten.

Kittens with FCKS go through two crisis points - 10 days and 3 weeks after birth. If the period of 3 weeks has passed and the kitten is alive, it is likely that during growth the chest will return to its normal shape or, remaining flattened, will not have a detrimental effect on the health of the animal.

Previously, FCKS was attributed only to Burmese cats, but studies conducted in 1995 and 2013 showed that the pathology occurs in other breeds, as well as in outbred cats. FCK is most common among Bengals and Orientals. Russian and foreign breeders have created groups in in social networks, where they share information about this disease in order to accurately find out the ways of its occurrence.

How to help a kitten with flat chest syndrome?

Faced with such a problem, first of all, you need to try to reduce the pressure on the kitten's chest. It should be borne in mind that the bones of newborn kittens are still soft and the hard surface on which they lie leads to even greater deformation of the chest. In addition, it is necessary to constantly hold the newborn in a position on its side, with the help of rollers and pillows, to reduce pressure on the chest. Some breeders use homemade corsets, as well as physiotherapy and chest massage every three hours during the day. It must be remembered that the most reliable degree of the disease can be established using x-rays.

STRABISM IN ORIENTALS

It is generally accepted that strabismus occurs only in Siamese cats. In fact, in the Siamese-Oriental group, 80% of patients with strabismus (the so-called strabismus in medicine) are Siamese, and 20% are Orientals. Strabismus is the inability to coordinate eye movements, causing the eyes to stare different directions, and the gaze cannot be focused on one object. Strabismus can either be congenital or result from trauma that has damaged the nerves. eye muscles. Rarely, strabismus occurs in cats, which develops as a result of a violation nervous system and vestibular apparatus. Strabismus in Orientals can be inherited, therefore, such cats or cats are not used in breeding.

As you can see, the degree of manifestation of this syndrome can be different, the survival rate of kittens depends on the degree of severity. The ribs can be completely flat below and even curl inward into the chest (funnel chest).

Critical age for kittensFCKS- 3 weeks and 4 months. At 3 weeks, kittens with a very pronounced syndrome die due to difficulty breathing and, as a result, insufficient oxygen supply. At the age of 4 months, kittens die from compression of the lungs, and, as foreign sources write, from inversion of the sternum into the chest, violations of the diaphragm and compression of the heart. If the kitten is going through a critical age, then it grows into a normal healthy cat, like any of its siblings. They also say that with age, the back and ribs return to normal and no one will notice that the kitten had any problems in childhood.

Symptoms:
flat chest
a hollow on the back behind the shoulder blades (the fact is that, as can be seen in the figure above, flattening occurs both above and below. Sometimes the back is more convex, sometimes flatter)
labored and rapid breathing
fast fatiguability
decreased activity, apathy
significant growth retardation
kittens in general are in poorer condition compared to littermates
legs are set apart, like in amphibians (popularly, the syndrome is also called "turtle chest", the ribs in the thoracic region resemble a turtle shell)

Where is it from?
The reasons for the birth of a kitten with flat chest syndrome can be different, but it is impossible to determine the exact cause. The following theoretical reasons are put forward:
Environment Wednesday - the cause of the syndrome may be factors such as too flat hard surface in the "nest", at too high a temperature. In such conditions, the kittens disperse in different directions and lie on their backs, while at normal temperatures they lie all together, well, or in pairs, often changing position. The constant presence of the mother in the nest, as a result, the kitten can lie in one position for a long time. Bacteria or viruses are also suspected to cause this side effect.
Food - perhaps, the diet of a pregnant cat lacked important vitamins and minerals, or for some reason they were not absorbed. Hypotheses are put forward about the lack of selenium, taurine or calcium. However, there is no practical evidence for this.
Genetics - perhaps FCKS or a predisposition to it is inherited genetically. Possibly polygenic inheritance, but autosomal recessive inheritance can also be assumed.

Caring for Kittens with Flattened Chest SyndromeFCKS)
Foreign sources offer different methods. It is suggested that kittens wear a bandage made from the frame of a paper cup, in order to give the chest a round shape and not put pressure on the stomach, you can also do massages, it is also believed that swimming will help improve the tone of the intercostal muscles. I really can’t imagine how to make a two-week-old kitten swim ...

You also need to make obstacles in the nest, such boulders from the litter, so that the kittens have to overcome barriers on the way to the mother cat. Sometimes you need to turn the baby.

Orientville

cattery of oriental and siamese cats

source http://orientville.livejournal.com/30649.html

Photos courtesy of GarfieldCat*IL

How to make and correctly apply a corset!

We take a paper cup to make a corset. ​

We cut it along the seam and cut off the bottom at the cup ... Now you need to measure the corset on the kitten and cut off the desired length of the corset (measure from the front paws (under the paws) to the stomach)

We take the upper part of the cup, the part that tapers towards the bottom - it will be towards the front paws, the one with the rim towards the hind paws

We do the following according to the drawings ...

The baby was born fifth, with a very strong crease on the tail. Otherwise, a normal cat, healthy, large. Gained weight perfectly, grew up with everyone on a par. On day 8, he developed flat sternum syndrome ( FCK - Flat Chested Kitten). We do not like to write about defects, so it was difficult to find how to deal with this further. I turned to Inna Vladimirovna Shustrova for help, she sent me a long article about this defect in English. Having learned how it is written in English, I found more materials on this subject.

In most cases, flattening appears from the 2nd to the 10th day after birth. It is difficult not to notice, because the kitten has flat ribs, with varying degrees of severity. In the figure from left to right: the correct chest, flattening of the sternum, funnel-shaped sternum.

As you can see, the degree of manifestation of this syndrome can be different, the survival rate of kittens depends on the degree of severity. The ribs can be completely flat below and even curl inward into the chest (funnel chest).

The critical age for kittens with FCKS is 3 weeks and 4 months. At 3 weeks, kittens with a very pronounced syndrome die due to difficulty breathing and, as a result, insufficient oxygen supply. At the age of 4 months, kittens die from compression of the lungs, and, as foreign sources write, from inversion of the sternum into the chest, violations of the diaphragm and compression of the heart. If the kitten is going through a critical age, then it grows into a normal healthy cat, like any of its siblings. They also say that with age, the back and ribs return to normal and no one will notice that the kitten had any problems in childhood.

Symptoms:

• flat chest


• a hollow on the back behind the shoulder blades (the fact is that, as can be seen in the figure above, flattening occurs both above and below. Sometimes the back is more convex, sometimes flatter)


• labored and rapid breathing


• fast fatiguability


• decreased activity, apathy


• significant growth retardation


• kittens in general are in poorer condition compared to littermates


• legs are set apart, like in amphibians (popularly, the syndrome is also called "turtle chest", the ribs in the thoracic region resemble a turtle shell)

• Environment- the cause of the syndrome may be factors such as too flat hard surface in the "nest", at too high a temperature. In such conditions, the kittens disperse in different directions and lie on their backs, while at normal temperatures they lie all together, well, or in pairs, often changing position. The constant presence of the mother in the nest, as a result, the kitten can lie in one position for a long time. Bacteria or viruses are also suspected to cause this side effect.


• Food- it is possible that important vitamins and microelements were lacking in the diet of a pregnant cat, or they were not absorbed for some reason. Hypotheses are put forward about the lack of selenium, taurine or calcium. However, there is no practical evidence for this.


• Genetics- it is possible that FCKS or a predisposition to it is inherited genetically. Possibly polygenic inheritance, but autosomal recessive inheritance can also be assumed.

I looked at different sites, some of them have diaries from the life of such kittens. And that's what I definitely decided not to do - it's a bandage ... it seemed to me that if you squeeze the already compressed chest, the kitten will simply suffocate. I decided to do baby massages. Several times a day I took it out of the nest and with a little effort from both sides simultaneously massaged the ribs. At the same time, after a few days, I began to feel that the ribs began to smooth out from the sides. The most important thing for me was for the baby to stand on his feet, I thought that then he would be able to move more and the muscles would strengthen better.

I also made obstacles in the nest, such boulders from the bedding, so that the kittens had to overcome barriers on the way to the mother cat. Sometimes I carefully turned the baby on its side, you know, the first times were just terrible, imagine putting a turtle on the edge of the shell ... At the same time, breathing was very difficult. Gradually, I increased the time I slept on my side. I had to find support for the kitten, in the form of a brother-sister or mother :) Now the baby can already sleep on his side.

Unlike the terrible symptoms that I have given above (I took them from one English-language site), my baby did not have a lag in growth, appetite and condition. He is very mobile, gaining weight along with everyone. And a miracle happened, he learned to walk. Of course, compared to littermates, he keeps on his feet worse, but I think that everything will be fine with us.

About the Law of Vileness ...
I really wanted to keep a white cat from this litter.
Of course, this kitten will be the most extreme;) Absolutely white, with blue Siamese eyes. The name was chosen for him for a long time and found with a double meaning. As always - this is a hero from the cinema, this time from "Alice" Jack of Hearts. But for me he is the knight of my heart. Very tame, talkative and kissable. Meet Orientville's Knave of Hearts, Siamese white cat "foreign white".