Are cats harmful to newborns?
Risks to your baby’s breathing A cat may settle to sleep near a baby’s face. This is very dangerous. It could interfere with your baby’s breathing. It could suffocate a sleeping baby.
Can kittens survive hydrocephalus?
If your cat has a mild congenital form of hydrocephalus, there is a good prognosis and it may require only occasional medical treatment to keep it under control.
Can a baby live with fluid on the brain?
Most of the newborns born with hydrocephalus will have a normal lifespan, and approximately 40 to 50 percent will have normal intelligence. Seizure disorders have been diagnosed in about 10 percent of children with hydrocephalus. The mortality rate for infants is approximately 5 percent.
Do cats get water on the brain?
Causes of Water on the Brain in Cats Water on the brain in cats can be an inherited, congenital disease such as is often seen in certain cat breeds like the Siamese. It can also be an acquired condition from various infections or other causes.
Should I get rid of my cat before my baby’s born?
The simple answer to that question is no. Unfortunately, there are many people out there who think that cats are dangerous for babies. These people believe that a new parent must get rid of their family cat to keep the baby safe.
Will cats smother babies?
While a cat could accidentally suffocate a sleeping baby by cozying up too close to its face, experts agree it’s highly unlikely a cat would smother an infant on purpose.
How is hydrocephalus treated in kittens?
Treatment of both types of hydrocephalus can be divided into medical and surgical therapies. Medical treatments are aimed at reducing production of CSF and can include administration of prednisone, diuretics (acetazolamide, furosemide), and omeprazole.
Can kittens have Down syndrome?
Internet buzz notwithstanding, cats don’t develop Down syndrome. In fact, they can’t. First, a bit about Down syndrome: It’s a disorder that affects one in 700 human babies born in the U.S. each year.
What happens when a baby has fluid on the brain?
The impact of hydrocephalus on a newborn is somewhat unpredictable and can vary in severity. Because it injures the brain, children with hydrocephalus may have epilepsy, learning disabilities, short-term memory loss, problems with coordination, vision problems, and early onset of puberty.
How long do babies born with hydrocephalus live?
What is the life expectancy of a child who has hydrocephalus? Children often have a full life span if hydrocephalus is caught early and treated. Infants who undergo surgical treatment to reduce the excess fluid in the brain and survive to age 1 will not have a shortened life expectancy due to hydrocephalus.
What does fluid on the brain mean for a baby?
Hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain,” is a condition associated with a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in or around the brain. If left untreated, this can lead to brain tissue stretching, significantly affecting your child’s growth and development.
What is fluid in the brain?
Cerebrospinal fluid is the liquid around your brain and spinal cord. If a doctor thinks you have an illness that affects your nervous system, they might take a sample for testing. The fluid is made by a group of cells, called the choroid plexus, that are deep inside your brain.
What causes fluid on the brain in cats?
Hydrocephalus in Cats. In the case of obstructive hydrocephalus, spinal fluid accumulates due to an obstruction along the normal circulatory pattern (noncommunicating hydrocephalus), or the fluid accumulates at the fluid resorption site near the meningeal arachnoid villi (communicating hydrocephalus).
When to know if your cat has water on the brain?
Some cats may not show any signs of water on the brain until the condition has become advanced, or the signs may be very subtle and difficult for the owner to recognize. Here are some of the signs you should watch for if you suspect your cat is suffering from hydrocephalus.
How to tell if your cat has hydrocephalus?
Hydrocephalus in Cats and Dogs 1 Overview. With hydrocephalus, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates inside the skull and the brain. 2 Symptoms and Identification. Affected animals will typically begin showing signs of head enlargement in the first weeks after birth. 3 Affected Breeds. 4 Treatment. 5 Prevention.
Why does my cat have too much CSF?
With hydrocephalus, the brain may produce too much CSF or the outflow of CSF may be blocked, which causes CSF to accumulate in and around the brain, resulting in excessive pressure. 2. What causes hydrocephalus? The most common cause of hydrocephalus in young cats is a congenital defect that blocks the outflow of CSF.