Kitten with harelip?

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jcat

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The professor told J. that it was unusual to see such a "substantially deformed" lip without a cleft palate, so Timmi is definitely one lucky little kitten. His upper lip "could" be operated on, but skin grafts would be required, and as it's more of a cosmetic issue, it's not worthwhile putting him through that.
I'm really relieved that everybody didn't decide to just let him die, or have him put down, and that he and either momma or one of his sisters have a home waiting for them.
 

sharky

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How wonderful... thank you for the updates
 
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jcat

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Originally Posted by WellingtonCats

Aw this is really good to hear.

Tricia you are an angel.
I'm doing one feeding a day, so I don't think I qualify as an "angel". J. is the angel here - he gets up in the wee hours to do the 3 a.m. feeding, is going to adopt Timmi and his mother or one of his sisters, and took time off from work to get Timmi checked out at the university clinic, and paid for the exam himself.
I was a little bit afraid when I went to the shelter this morning, because I feared Timmi wouldn't accept the new milk replacer, but he seems to like it. He's so cute - he opens his right eye about halfway while he's drinking (his sisters still have their eyes closed), and kneads your hand with his tiny little paws. When he's full, he falls asleep and snores. I don't see what the guy at the university clinic meant about his lower lip being deformed, though. It looks normal to me.
 

ugaimes

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Regarding using the word "hare-lipped": I realize a lot of people are using this term innocently, but it is actually a very offensive and derogatory term for having a cleft palate. I know because my little brother was born with a double cleft palate and was called a "harelip" growing up. It was very upsetting for him and for us. Just some food for thought...
Back to this thread, I am saying a prayer for that poor kitten, too.
 
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jcat

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Originally Posted by Ugaimes

Regarding using the word "hare-lipped": I realize a lot of people are using this term innocently, but it is actually a very offensive and derogatory term for having a cleft palate. I know because my little brother was born with a double cleft palate and was called a "harelip" growing up. It was very upsetting for him and for us. Just some food for thought...
Back to this thread, I am saying a prayer for that poor kitten, too.
Timmi's upper lip is split and very narrow, meaning there's a big gap directly below his nose. He doesn't have a cleft palate, and the professor at the university clinic says he has "deformed lips", rather than a "harelip", so I understand what you're saying.
There was a family that lived seven houses down in the neighborhood I grew up in. The father had both a cleft palate and a harelip, his daughter had only a harelip, and her younger brother had both. Both kids were successfully operated on, but their father never had any kind of "operative repairs" made. Since then, I've always distinguished, perhaps incorrectly, between "cleft palates" and "harelips", and assumed that there might be a genetic factor. I'm using the term to describe Timmi's physical condition as simply as possible, but I comprehend the point you're making.
 

ugaimes

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Well, there may be a difference an a cleft palate and what these people are referring to as "harelips." I don't get offended when normal adults use it (most of the time, people are not at all aware that it is offensive to some), but when professionals such as doctors or vets...or Larry the Cable Guy....say it, I just get furious
 
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Is there a medical expression for the lip deformity? My vet said "Hasenspalte", which is really a direct translation of "harelip".
 

maverick_kitten

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Originally Posted by ugaimes

Well, there may be a difference an a cleft palate and what these people are referring to as "harelips." I don't get offended when normal adults use it (most of the time, people are not at all aware that it is offensive to some), but when professionals such as doctors or vets...or Larry the Cable Guy....say it, I just get furious
I had no idea that the term could be considered offensivly.
i too would be interested to hear the correct medical term.

thats such good news for the kitten. and he already has a home on top of this!!
 

pat

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Originally Posted by jcat

Is there a medical expression for the lip deformity? My vet said "Hasenspalte", which is really a direct translation of "harelip".
As an L&D nurse, the term I'd use in my nurses notes would be cleft lip...a baby can have a cleft lip and/or a cleft palate.
 

ugaimes

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Originally Posted by Pat & Alix

As an L&D nurse, the term I'd use in my nurses notes would be cleft lip...a baby can have a cleft lip and/or a cleft palate.
Cleft lip and palate- you got it!
 
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jcat

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Yes, that does sound much better! Thank you!
The past week I've become aware of how common cleft palates and lips are in humans. When I told people at school about Timmi, so many of the kids had siblings, cousins, etc. with the problem. And one of my colleagues, which I'd never noticed, presumably because he has a mustache.
 

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Joaquin Phoenix has a cleft lip and personally I think he's hawt. rhrr- Though I also did not know that "hare-lip" was so bad.. personally, I always wished I had been, because the thought of being remotely bunny like when I was a child held some great amount o magic.
 

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This is a beautiful story regardless of what you call it. Timmi is indeed a lucky little kittie and your friend J is equally lucky to get this marvelous little guy to be his companion. J sounds like a pretty special person too. Bless you all.
 
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jcat

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Originally Posted by Yosemite

Doesn't Stacey Keach also? I always thought he was pretty OK too! Grrrrrr
I think so. He has that "tell-tale" diagonal scar. I loved him in "Long Riders". Joachim is a great guy. I was a bit "put off" when I first met him, because he's a member of the local Hell's Angels chapter. Last year we ran into some parking problems at the shelter, and his "gang" not only purchased the property across the street (an old disused barn was on it), but pulled it down and made parking spaces. When my vet referred me to the professor at the university clinic, I told him I couldn't go until Thursday afternoon or Friday, and he immediately said he'd take a vacation day. And he sent me a text message as soon as Timmi had been examined - hardly the action of an "anti-social gang member". I think the "angel" part applies to this guy.
 
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