We often hear about diseases that affect both animals and humans: this is the case, for example, of the cold, toxoplasmosis or some parasites that annoy our four legs as much as we do. But is it possible that certain genetic diseases affect both? Or, better, it is possible that the down syndrome gives a hard time even to the furbabies in our possession, thus giving rise to what is called in many quarters gatto down?
In this article we will try to understand what this genetic anomaly is due to and what ailments Down syndrome causes.
What causes down syndrome? Genetic alterations
As reported by the AIPD website (Italian association of people with Down syndrome):
“Our body is made up of many cells […] There are 46 chromosomes in human cells, divided into 23 pairs […]: 23 chromosomes come from the mother, 23 chromosomes come from the father. The 23 chromosomes of the mother join the 23 chromosomes of the father: in this way a new cell is formed with 46 chromosomes. The set of these chromosomes defines the characteristics of each person, which partly come from their parents, partly from how these characteristics are mixed. […] In the pair of chromosome number 21 of those with Down syndrome, there are 3 chromosomes instead of 2. For this reason Down syndrome is also called Trisomy 21».
How does Trisomy 21 manifest itself? Physical and non-physical anomalies
The syndrome manifests itself through a delay in cognition and physical growthas well as a particular set of somatic traits.
But it is good to make a clarification: where all diagnosed cases present a cognitive delay, disability is highly variable among affected individuals. Most, in fact, fall into the range of “slightly” or “moderately disabled” from the point of view of motor ability.
The cat with down syndrome (or maybe not?)
The reason why we are wondering about Down syndrome in cats (and, in general, about the existence of animals with an anomaly on chromosome 21) is due to the fact that, in unsuspecting times, the news of a down cat: it was Monty, a foundling recovered from the street by a Danish couple who adopted him and raised him within the walls of their own home.
The articles reported on a very slow growthdue to the fact that the syndrome from which this “down cat” was affected had prevented the animal from developing fully, to the point that, after a few years, its owners, unable to raise it independently, had decided, for its well-being, to deliver it to a shelter that could study the incidence of Down’s syndrome on cats.
A news that had moved the people of the network, to the point that the profile of the little cat had registered a surge in fans, who grew up shortly after the release of the news.
But it wasn’t long after Monty’s story was published that a popular debunking site (the practice of question or deny – based on scientific methodologies – false, exaggerated, anti-scientific statements) responded with a very rigid position: we cannot speak of Down syndrome in cats. Ultimately, who was right?
How to tell if a cat is Down?
There is no medical condition known as “cat down.” However, there are some diseases and conditions that can cause symptoms similar to those of a person with Down syndrome.
If you notice a change in your cat’s behavior or if he seems to be having difficulty doing things he used to do easily in the past, it may be time to take him to the vet for a thorough exam. Some common symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness and seizures. Your vet will examine your cat and may recommend lab or diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the symptoms. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment can help prevent serious complications and improve your cat’s chances of recovery.
So are there cats with Down Syndrome?
This last question has a simple answer: no, down cats don’t exist. This is because such genetic disease it affects only the human genome which, as we well know, is very different from that of a big cat. Of course, even cats (and like them all animals) have determinations organized genetic information following a specific sequence contained in the DNA. Not only.
Cats also possess chromosomes which, like those of men, can alter giving rise to cognitive, physiological or anatomical problems and difficulties (such as laboratory mice which can present a trisomy in the number 16).
The chromosomal problem
However, this discourse does not apply to down syndrome, a disease that affects only humans and involves trisomy in the number 21.
The truth about the cat Monty
What everyone had called a “down cat” actually had a genetic problem which, however, had caused him “only” one deformation of the nasal septummaking sure that, looking at it, the eyes were positioned differently on the muzzle compared to other cats.
Trouble helped his human owners raise money for the animal shelter where he was adopted.
Can we talk about trisomies in felines? That’s how many chromosomes a cat has
Cats have 38. These contain the genetic material that determines the physical and behavioral characteristics of the cat and are present in the cells of its body, including its gametes (eggs and sperm) which carry half the normal number, or 19.
Cats can also have trisomies, which consist of a chromosomal abnormality in which a certain chromosome is present in three copies instead of two, as is normally the case. In particular, a trisomy has been identified in cats, known as syndrome in Klinefelter felina, which is analogous to the human homonym. This condition occurs when a male cat has two X and one Y chromosome instead of just one X and one Y, as is normally the case in males. Klinefelter syndrome in cats can cause reproductive and behavioral problems, such as an increased tendency to be aggressive or territorial.
However, it is important to note that such conditions exist in cats relatively rare and that most cats are genetically normal.
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Article reviewed by:
Francesco Reina
Veterinary assistant