Monocephalus dipygus parapagus: a suspected case of complete caudal duplication in a British Blue kitten.
Complete caudal duplication is an extremely rare type of conjoined twinning. This communication reports the birth and gross features of a live conjoined British Blue kitten born naturally to a healthy queen. The monocephalic dipygus kitten exhibited a normal skull and upper body, two separate pelves, four hind limbs and two tails. A cleft palate and bifurcation of rostral mandible were also noted. The absence of maternal dystocia was unusual for conjoined twinnings.
Seavers
Aine M
AM
Oak Flats Vet Clinic, NSW 2529 Australia. aines@bigpond.com
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D002415:Cats / Q000002:abnormalities*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000002:abnormalities*; D010388:Pelvis / Q000002:abnormalities*; D013623:Tail / Q000002:abnormalities*; D014428:Twins, Conjoined / Q000196:embryology / Q000473:pathology