Home / Science / Miracle Kitten Born With Two Faces Defies Odds
Miracle Kitten Born With Two Faces Defies Odds
18 Jul
Summary
- A rare kitten named Gemini was born with diprosopus, a condition causing facial duplication.
- The kitten, nicknamed a Janus cat, requires constant monitoring and hourly bottle feeding.
- Despite a low survival rate for Janus kittens, Gemini is being cared for around the clock.
A cat rescue in Llangedwyn, Powys, has welcomed an extraordinary kitten born with a rare congenital disorder. The kitten, named Gemini, exhibits diprosopus, a condition characterized by craniofacial duplication, resulting in two noses and two mouths. This makes Gemini a "Janus cat," a term derived from the two-faced Roman god.
Typically, kittens born with diprosopus have a low survival rate, often being stillborn or succumbing shortly after birth. Gemini, however, is being treated as a "little miracle" by the rescue team, who are providing round-the-clock monitoring. The mother cat gave birth to a total of eight kittens after being taken in as a stray three weeks ago.
Gemini was unfortunately rejected by her mother and requires intensive care, including bottle feeding every hour. Despite the challenges, the kitten is reportedly "very keen to feed from both little mouths." This remarkable survival highlights the resilience of the animal against severe odds.
