unusual
illnesses and medical conditions
kitten
with compressed rib cage
A while ago, someone
posted on the AcmePet Bulletin Board asking for help with a kitten that
had a compressed ribcage. No one had heard of this condition, so we
were baffled. The person returned and gave this information update,
which I hope will be useful and reassuring to someone:
Compressed
or flattened rib cages occur because the newborn has very soft ribs
and the weight of his/her body simply flattens the ribs out. It looks
scary and painful, but it causes the animal no physical discomfort
outside of interferring with mobility.
Once
the kitten has become mobile the rib cages round out because
of the downward pressure of the internal organs. Massage can
also be helpful. The kitten will never have 100% normal ribs
but she (her name is Scamper) will be just fine. Outside of
massage and some 'occupation therapy' she will be fine.
This
condition is extremly rare in cats. It is most commonly seen
in large or heavy breeds of dogs. Dogs whose puppies have plump
bodies or broad barrel shaped chests are commonly afflicted
with this temporary disorder when newborns. It is not genetic.
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