Diprosopia related to the administration of progestogens in domestic feline neonate: case report

Abstract

Diprosopia is a congenital anomaly in which the head region and facial structures of
the animal are doubled. This congenital defect is most commonly reported in bovines, but it also occurs in felines, canines, goats, rats and deer. The present study aimed to report a case of diprosopia associated with bilateral cleft palate in neonate feline. An uncastrated cat was treated at a private clinic in the city of Porto Alegre / RS, manifesting prostration, to the vaginal touch there was a membrane similar to the embryonic vesicle and, according to the tutor, had previously administered progestogens. Abdominal ultrasound found gestation and fetal distress, opting for surgery. Of the five newborn pups, one was dead, another three died about 24 hours after the procedure and one of them presented alterations suggestive of diprosopia associated with bilateral cleft palate, being referred for necropsy. Considered an infrequent congenital formation in felines, diprosopia may be associated with the previous use of progestogens to the gestational period in cats.