Pectus Excavatum

[mani]

Our rescue kitten (almost four months old) has just been diagnosed w/ PE. He's completely asymptomatic except for the occasional odd cough. On X-rays though, the indentation is pretty significant and his heart is shifted to the right side to accomodate the funnel shape of his ribs.
I was wondering what had happened w/ your kitten as he grew older.
Our Jack is hyperkitten on steroids (he takes on our three adult NFCs as well as his very active cousin kitten and has *them* all panting in exhaustion while he's still dancing around saying, "Bring it on, man") and the idea of him in a cast for six weeks (I've read that it chafes) is unthinkable.
Our vet suggests that we just watch his progress. He's got such a sweet personality, too, and I'm afraid a traumatic experience w/ prolonged pain and immobilization will warp him in some way.

     My boy is just fine... taking on the world!  It really does depend on how indented the chest is.  I feel as though Sundar's has actually improved.

If the vet suggests you just watch his progress, that sounds quite positive.. It does depend on how well the vet knows the condition, of course.  But I agree that the procedure would be a very challenging one for a kitten, and probably is best only done when it's obvious there's no other option.

I can't say what you should do, obviously, but if I were in your position, I'd make the same choice that you have.

and keep us posted !

 

[beccabay]

Hi Mani,

I have a kitty with Pectus Excavatum. He is also a russian blue. I volunteer for a rescue and he came to us after his mother abandoned him. I noticed early on that something was not right, so i took him to my vet. My vet took x rays and found out that there was a definite problem with him sternum and his rib cage. He called a specialist in and they were able to fit a prosthetic on him. He has has a total of 3 surgeries and in 2 months he will have his prosthetic taken off. My little guy couldn't be happier even though he has been limited to cage rest for about 3 months. After all this, he will be the way he was supposed to be. This condition can be life threatening. Please don't procrastinate. If not corrected, the heart can get damaged (holes in the heart), the lungs (rubbing against ribs can tear holes, difficulty breathing, and hard time pumping blood. 

please contact back if you have any more questions,

becca

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• beccabay
• Aug 21, 2013

Hi my name is Leland and I was born with a Congenital Malformation of my sternum (Pectus Excavatum). This condition is very uncommon and very serious. Since my sternum curves inward, I am unable to breath properly and my heart is smashed against my ribs. I am currently fitted with a prosthetic is helping straighten my ribs/ sternum back to where they are supposed to be. I have been through a total of 3 surgeries and need many more in the future.

 

[newnona65]

My Kitten will be 2 weeks tomorrow. He has Pectus Excavatum, Mamma had a rough labour and we took her to the vet , they helped induce and she gave birth to 3 kittens, the first was an all orange and later two that are black and white, they told us that since mamma is 3 years old that it was too narrow for kittens to be born with ease, well, 4 days later we lost the first born, the vet said it was due to the kitten being in the birth canal too long, and now our 2cnd born has PE, the 3rd is doing just fine, but as for our 2cnd, he tries so hard and is active and eats and mamma takes very good care of him,wish i could afford surgery, im very scared our family has been through so much, i need information on what exercises we can do with our baby. I and the rest of our family are so heartbroken. I would appreciate advise. Thank You, 

 

[catwoman707]

 
My Kitten will be 2 weeks tomorrow. He has Pectus Excavatum, Mamma had a rough labour and we took her to the vet , they helped induce and she gave birth to 3 kittens, the first was an all orange and later two that are black and white, they told us that since mamma is 3 years old that it was too narrow for kittens to be born with ease, well, 4 days later we lost the first born, the vet said it was due to the kitten being in the birth canal too long, and now our 2cnd born has PE, the 3rd is doing just fine, but as for our 2cnd, he tries so hard and is active and eats and mamma takes very good care of him,wish i could afford surgery, im very scared our family has been through so much, i need information on what exercises we can do with our baby. I and the rest of our family are so heartbroken. I would appreciate advise. Thank You, 

@Mani  who started this thread has successfully saved her cat's life.

I also helped another member out with flat chested 2 week old.

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/290989/flat-chested-kitten-syndrome

 

[jodydi]

I just found your thread, I had a siamese kitten probably 16 years ago, did not know what it was, I gave her to an ex husband, she did not survive. I never knew what it was. But I remember the shape of her chest, and am pretty sure she had PE.
I have a random Kitty that had a 3 kitten litter, 1 boy has PE I'm sure, I just found out at 4 weeks of age. He is 5 weeks now, so I was searching to find out what it was. the other 2 kittens are fat and healthy, but he is not growing his head looks big on his body. these are give away specials, so I'm not sure what to do.

 

[catwoman707]

I just found your thread, I had a siamese kitten probably 16 years ago, did not know what it was, I gave her to an ex husband, she did not survive. I never knew what it was. But I remember the shape of her chest, and am pretty sure she had PE.
I have a random Kitty that had a 3 kitten litter, 1 boy has PE I'm sure, I just found out at 4 weeks of age. He is 5 weeks now, so I was searching to find out what it was. the other 2 kittens are fat and healthy, but he is not growing his head looks big on his body. these are give away specials, so I'm not sure what to do.

It's not too late, create a vest according to the thread descriptions, it works.

If need be start your own thread about this too.

 

[giovanna888]

Hi Mani, I just found your story about Sundar. We got 4 month Bengal kitten, her name is Angel and she has PE and FCK. We have her for couple days but already love her so much. She is very active and the same weight as her sisters. When she plays a lot and run she stops and breathes deep for like 20 seconds and then she is fine again. Her cave on chest is small. Where we live they don't do this kind of surgery and I'm not sure the vet even knows much. How is Sundar doing ? Could you tell how he grew up please?

Thank you so much. 

 

[mani]

Hi @giovanna888.

Sundar is doing very well.  He doesn't just have pectus excavatum.. he also has quite a deformed spine.  There is very little room for his diaphragm to work and that's why  the deep breathing happens.  How Angel behaves sounds very typical.

At four months old I think it's pretty safe to say that Angel will be fine.. usually the surgery is done very early to save their life.  If the cave on her chest is small, I think you can look forward to a long and happy life for your little one.  Just keep her inside and well-loved!

And welcome to The Cat Site!

 

[giovanna888]

 
Hi @giovanna888.

Sundar is doing very well.  He doesn't just have pectus excavatum.. he also has quite a deformed spine.  There is very little room for his diaphragm to work and that's why  the deep breathing happens.  How Angel behaves sounds very typical.

At four months old I think it's pretty safe to say that Angel will be fine.. usually the surgery is done very early to save their life.  If the cave on her chest is small, I think you can look forward to a long and happy life for your little one.  Just keep her inside and well-loved!

And welcome to The Cat Site!

Hi Mani, thank you so much for your answer Now I'm not that nervous anymore. We wish Sundar and you good health and happiness! Did you take him neutering? Was he fine with anaesthetic? We will wait until 7 month to let her grow. 

 

[mani]

I had Sundar neutered at five months.  The vets at the cat clinic actually felt it was better to do it sooner rather than later.  But it is a much simpler procedure for a boy....  you need to be guided by your vet.  They will understand that Angel's lungs are compromised and will make allowances.