Two-faced feline proves all animals deserve a chance

Recently, feline fanciers were abuzz about a cat anomaly that appeared on YouTube: the feline with two faces.

I decided further inquiry was necessary. Did this cat really exist? How could it survive, and how could it eat? Lastly, what caused this condition?

This two-faced feline does exist and has the distinction of being entered into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest surviving two-faced cat at 12 years old, and his names are Frank and Louie.

Two-faced cats are endearingly called Janus cats after the two-faced Roman god, but medically they are called cats with the condition of diprosopus.

When I first saw Frank and Louie in the news piece, it was clear he was not a conjoined twin because he had a single body. What causes the single body with two faces then? The answer is too much of a particular protein that causes the face to widen to the extent that an extra face is created.

Janus felines are rare because the prognosis of survival is poor. Generally speaking, they survive a couple of days at best. Thankfully for Frank and Louie, he was brought to Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine to be euthanized because he was less than perfect and such an anomaly could not be tolerated in the breeder’s bloodline of purebred felines.

This two-faced cat was a disposable animal in the breeder’s eyes. Thank goodness the staff at Tufts decided to try to save this helpless feline.

Frank/Louie was fed through the stomach with a feeding tube until he could eat by mouth. That process took two months. It would be learned after this process that only one head was functioning as dominant to accept and eat food. Frank grew into an 11-pound, 12-year-old affectionate and playful feline through drastic lifesaving, compassionate care.

Frank is a fine example that the idea of “perfection” is a value judgment that often dictates unfairly about which animals deserve saving. The breeder saw Frank as worthless and the staff at Tufts saw a helpless cat.

Frank’s story is an inspiration to all of us who participate in animal rescue of homeless and unwanted animals. Perhaps I was also so moved by his story because, in my heart, I knew this is always the level of care The Buddy Foundation would provide. I thought of Buddy’s rescue Thumper and the level of care he received. I also did not forget that I promised you updates on Thumper from time-to-time.

Thumper Update

To refresh your recollection, Thumper is the 2-pound kitten that was found almost lifeless by the side of the road. All of Buddy’s emergency lifesaving measures are successful to date.

Thumper has put on 11 ounces in two weeks. That kind of weight gain in a struggling kitten is huge. His appetite is amazing. He eats wet food at the rate of two cans a day and is trying to eat dry food.

Thumper has finally gotten strong enough to find his meow. He can jump onto a chair to sit and sun himself. Toys are new to this rescued boy. He has to be prodded to learn.

Our boy is no longer skin and bones. He needs to continue eating high protein food to now start to build some muscle mass. We are always low on canned kitten food, dry kitten food and KMR (mother’s replacement milk). If you cannot adopt Thumper, perhaps you could make a donation for his continued care.

To date, Thumper is still too tiny to even get his shots that will eventually be necessary.

Adoptables

Indie is a 6- or 7-year-old spayed female. Indie is a black and white tuxedo cat. She is friendly and outgoing in spite of the fact that she lost the only home she ever knew when her owner died abruptly. She found herself homeless with her sister, Gabby.

Gabby is a 6- or 7-year-old spayed female that is tabby with white. She has beautiful markings around her eyes that make her face look extra sweet. She is even more outgoing than Indie and is the leader of the two. These two would love to find a home together.

Aurora is a spayed tabby that is about 7 years old. This girl loves other felines and has been kid-tested by her rescuers. She is a people pleaser and a greeter. She would fit into any household.

Ÿ Contact The Buddy Foundation at (847) 290-5806; visit us at 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, or online at thebuddyfoundation.org.