Two-faced kitten born in Perth
November 20, 2008
Kitten with two heads. Photo: Matthew Poon
A two-headed kitten born yesterday has left vets baffled.
The kitten's mother was taken to the Swan Veterinary Clinic in Perth after suffering complications while in labour.
Community Newspapers photographer Matthew Poon happened to be at the vet's for an unrelated visit and snapped the amazing images of the kitten.
There were three kittens in the litter, but only one has the unique deformity.
The kitten eats out of just one mouth because of a cleft palate, but both mouths meow simultaneously.
Louisa Burgess, a veterinary nurse who helped deliver the kitten, told InMyCommunity.com.au that she had never seen such an unusual animal in her 12-year career.
"I have seen cats with two tails and extra legs, but not this,” she said.
Ms Burgess said the cat appeared healthy, but it would be closely monitored over the next few days.
"It has a full tummy and it survived the night so that is a good sign,” she said. "It seems content, it meows and purrs.
"This is the result of a congenital deformity. Something has gone wrong in the early embryonic development.”
