Special Needs - Or just Special?

eatrawfish

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Ok, new question for thoughts on posting my boys up for adoption. I adopted the two cute little guys out, now come the toughies.

James - Seemed fine until he got nuetered and became suddenly very dizzy. He has recovered but he has NEVER FULLY recovered. He runs and plays, but if you play with him you'll notice he can get thrown off of balance quite easily. He doesn't jump around much, I think he has a bad sense of balance.

Francis - Has from day one winked very oddly in one eye. When he was younger he showed some balance problems, he'd fall off their toy and land on his side when most kittens could have righted themselves. He has had litter box issues that I thought were completely gone, but I think he just has trouble when there is no box in the room now (he pooped in my living room in the furthest corner from any litter boxes).

They are both still rather shy, James will let you pet him and purr a lot more than Francis, who tends to run and hide.

Just the kind of cats most people are looking for right?

But my real question is - what do you think, do their balance problems probably stemming from inbreeding and nuerological damage make them Special Needs?

Who knows if they will live long/short lives because of it. They don't need medication. I'm just not sure how to advertise them.

Thanks for any thoughts.
 

leesali

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How old are your 2 little boys?

I have two siblings that had similar balance problems but both outgrew it. Bob & Allie were born premature & had a lot of newborn problems. Both used to knock themselves right over when trying to play...they would shake a bit, have no balance & tumble over. At the time, my vet. said it was possible they had neurological problems.

Again, both outgrew it and are now healthy, beautiful 8-month olds.
 
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eatrawfish

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My boys are both *around* 4 months old. I think Francis may be better off than when he was younger, but not sure. It's just slight enough to be hard to tell, but not so slight that I'd feel comfortable not mentioning it to potential adoptors.
 

beckiboo

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I would say they are special needs. Anyone who is casually looking for a kitten will overlook these boys most likely. But somewhere someone is looking for just those babies. They have a special place in their heart for a beautiful kitty who is basically fine, but needs a little extra attention. If you note "special needs", they are more likely to be noticed.

I am so happy Spice and William found homes. Prayers that James and Francis will be adopted soon, too!
 

kathylou

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Yes they are special needs and they need special people. They are real sweethearts in their pictures.
 

leesali

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Originally Posted by Beckiboo

I would say they are special needs. Anyone who is casually looking for a kitten will overlook these boys most likely. But somewhere someone is looking for just those babies. They have a special place in their heart for a beautiful kitty who is basically fine, but needs a little extra attention. If you note "special needs", they are more likely to be noticed.

I am so happy Spice and William found homes. Prayers that James and Francis will be adopted soon, too!
I agree with Beckiboo...someone special will be attracted & adopt these 2 special little boys.
 

carolpetunia

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Have you had the vet check their ears for infection or fluid? That could be the source of equilibrium problems.

If the person who took William ever gives him back, call me! His picture alone has stolen my heart!
 

semiferal

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What did the vet have to say about them? What was their background before you got them?

One likely possibility would be mild cerebellar hypoplasia. Kittens with this condition have problems with balance and coordination but are otherwise perfectly healthy and normal.
 
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