i don't know if this should go here or not but... i think one of my kittens is mentally retarded! probably from inbreeding because we have a cat hoarder (sp?) down the road... thats probably where they came from. but i'm starting to introduce them into solids, i've been feeding them mushy canned food and all of the other kittens eat real well, but it doesn't eat at all. I have to feed it with a syringe in order for it to eat. and when its just sitting there it just sits and stares into space, its not active at all, it will walk, but it stumbles, it doesn't run like the other ones, and its always laying down instead of up playing with the others, sometimes it will slap at a ball but thats about it. does it sound like its mentally retarded to you too?? what should i do? if it is would it have a normal life??
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uh oh
- Thread starter brittbs
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- #3
Pretty well everything you explained there is the same way my max was and still is today. Max is normal but just spacey I think, the vet hasn't found anything wrong, they even checked his eyes. He will bat at nothing, Stares into space and bats at whatever he thinks is there he even meows at nothing. Sometimes when you look at him he actually looks crosseyed but thats just the way he moves his eyes. Max is almost 3 years old now and there isn't anything wrong with him. He does do things different, like even walking in walls at times, just clutzy I guess.
I would say if you have concerns like the other members say get him checked by your vet there could be a reasonable explaintion or he just may happen to be related to my max some how LOL
When a cat or a kitten is having some kind of mysterious problem, the FIRST thing to always do is to make sure it isn't some kind of health problem. Once that has been eliminated, THEN behavior problems (or mental problems) can be investigated. There's no sense writing off a cat's problem to "mental retardation" when it might be something that can be easily cured.
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- #6
I would have a vet look at him to rule out any medical problem. Often cats that may seem intellectually challenged (we no longer use the term you did here and I actually cringe when I see it, being part of a disability rights group) when in fact the issue is a neurological or other medical problem. However, only a vet can tell you that or diagnose the problem so that is where I would start.
Good luck! I hope the little guy is OK!
Good luck! I hope the little guy is OK!
I agree with everyone else here. To be on the safe side the little fella should be checked out by a vet (especially if it continues to rely solely on you for feeding over the days and weeks ahead). I hope your kitty starts eating on it's own soon.
Please let us know how things progress for your kitten
Please let us know how things progress for your kitten
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He could be ill, even if he has been like that since you got him. It could also just be a genetic disorder which very well could be caused by inbreeding. But really, a vet visit is the best idea, because if he is ill, wouldn't you want him to get better if he could?
Try not and get upset when people are trying to help you. No one here is a vet, and on-screen diagnosises are not welcomed here. We can only go on what you say, how you type it and guess the rest. Your best bet is to rule out health issues, or neurological damage first. Often kittens are stepped on, caught with heads in doors, dropped and other neglectful things can happen to them especially if they are growing up in crowded conditions, or have to deal with all the dangers outside.
Try not and get upset when people are trying to help you. No one here is a vet, and on-screen diagnosises are not welcomed here. We can only go on what you say, how you type it and guess the rest. Your best bet is to rule out health issues, or neurological damage first. Often kittens are stepped on, caught with heads in doors, dropped and other neglectful things can happen to them especially if they are growing up in crowded conditions, or have to deal with all the dangers outside.
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- #11
the kitten started eating the food on its own yesterday!!
its acting a little better but it still stumbles when it walks and runs. we have a vet appt. for next tuesday. thats as soon as they could get us in
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- #12
yes i know what i wrote but i did NOT say it WAS mentally retarded i said it acted like it. besides im not just gonna let it go like that i planned on taking it to the vet. i was just asking yalls opions before i went!
It could very well be that your kitten has a bit of mental retardation.
When siblings reproduce, it does more often than not, create a litter of kitties that will have developmental problems, and often retardation. They will seem normal (at least mostly) at first, but as the months progress, you will notice they have either difficulty walking, or just aren't at full mental capacity, or they are clearly confused about things going on around them (or "not all there"). You might find them bumping into things a lot, as their sight or depth perception might not be very well developed.
You mentioned some of these things...and my best recommendation is to take him/her to the vet, letting your vet know that he/she's from a sibling couple. The vet will know exactly how to handle the situation.
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