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A vet got more than he bargained for when a cat he was helping in labour gave birth to a two-headed kitten in Western Australia.
Veterinarian George Huber and nurse Louisa Burgess had to do a double take when the grey and white freak feline was born with two faces.
It was born at the Swan Veterinary Clinic in Perth, Western Australia, when its mother was brought in after suffering complications during birth.
The tiny kitten – smaller than a hand – was one of three born in the litter, but its siblings were not born with any deformities.
Ms Burgess said she had never seen a two-faced cat in her 12-year career.
“I have seen cats with two tails and extra legs, but not this,” she told the website inmycommunity.com.au.
The kitten eats out of just one mouth because of a cleft palate, but both its mouths miaow simultaneously.
And despite its deformity, Ms Burgess said the cat appeared healthy.
“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.”
The kitten’s owners, who wish to remain anonymous, said they plan to keep their unusual pet and are thinking of calling it either Mr Men or Quasi Modo.
Only about one in a million cats are born with two heads, however the deformity is more common among other animals, especially snakes and turtles.
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What a sweet cat. I hope he/she is healthy!
And using the words "freak" and "mutant" is very rude. Whoever wrote this article is very unprofessional. These words would not be used to describe a human, and just because a "cat will not be offended" is a lame excuse.
Crissy, NYC ,
Freak is such a mean word to use.
Poor puss has passed away. Unfortunately, it didn't make it.
Julie, Melbourne,
I wonder if the eyes will be alright when they open!!!! They are so cute!
Anne, France,
I somehow feel that we should say THEY instead of IT...
Anyway I hope they survive!
Aisha, LA,
Im a big cat lover, imagine having 2 pairs of ears to scratch at one time. amazing I would love it. Good luck
jeanette, kinross, perthshire
Cool. A permanent snuggle partner.
David Oliver, Dubai, UAE
What is this bizarre obsession society has with "normality"? Nature is a beautiful thing and one of the very fundamentals of nature is its unpredictability. We're already turning the human race into a society of robots by enforcing "normality" - do we really have to force this on nature as well?
Patrick, Dublin, Ireland
jakey as for who cares it's a cat, firstly, you do or you wouldn't have read the article and secondly once you lose respect for nature you lose respect from people. You lost mine.
colin , nagoya, japan
All of you stop and hope that this little kitten has as happy a life as possible.
Sue , Miami Beach, FL
Tooo cute for words! Hope he has a long and healthy and happy life chasing his siblings...ha...ha..that I would like to see!!
Debbi, Richmond, USA
"One of Us, One of Us..............."
There's plenty of two-faced people around, that's for sure.
Fortunately for little kitty, she won't understand the not so nice names their owners have thought up so far - Something warm, fluffy & clever would be so much more nicer. . . .
Zip & Pip, Castle Doom, Bavaria
I think there is twice as much to love
Michelle, Melbourne, Australia
What a lovely creature, I really really hope he/she will survive!
Janus seems like a perfect name for this wonderful kitten.
Many thanks for bringing these news, it has brightened my day!
Dima, Halle, Germany
Hey N, from Fife, your point is lost due to your use of the out dated "Siamese", its Conjoined Twins now.
And who cares, its a cat.
jk, rochey, New York
This unfortunate cat should not be called a freak. As N, from Fife said, we would not say this about a human born with two heads. I hope the cat lives a long, healthy and happy life.
Sylvia Bell, Brisbane, Australia.
N, Fife... definition of a freak - "something markedly unusual or irregular." So yes, if a human was born with two faces, or siamese twins for that matter, then they would most certainly be a freak. And unlike the human, the cat will not be offended.
Perhaps "Frankie" would be appropriate?
James Spencer, Leighton Buzzard, UK
Im a Cat lover and i hope this kitten can survive , thats a wild cat!
Shaun, Midvale, Western Australia
What bugs me is that the cat has been called a freak and a mutant, is this the way we would address a human born with two heads, or other siamese twins?
N, Fife,
They should call him Janus.
Bill, Oakland, USA
I really hope that he's ok. There's something quite charming about him!
Katy, Essex, UK
"...both its mouths miaow simultaneously." - someone please upload a clip of this onto youtube!
Farrukh, Woking,
As long as they're 100% sure that this little one isn't in pain from its deformities, fair play to them.
Laura, Wokingham,
Will this special kitty have 18 lives?
Kim Righetti, Upland, Calif. USA
He's two cute for words. Absolutely purrrrrfect in my view. Twice as cute as a regular kitten. If he didn't already have a loving home I would offer mine up! He's gorgeous. I hope he is well loved and cared for.
Lisa, London,