You all have seen pictures of animals with distorted physical appearance on social media. You must be wondering why these animals look like this. What condition can cause these distorted facial features or abnormalities in their limbs? To end your curiosity, you must have gone to Google asking if animals get Down syndrome. On the internet, these queries about animals and Down syndrome are flooded. To give you the correct information, we have created this blog to end all the misconceptions and provide you with the proper information.
There are viral pictures on the internet of a giraffe with distorted features and a white tiger with a unique appearance. We all know that the white tiger is a rare species. The viral picture of a white tiger with a broad face and small snout is not fake at all. But that doesn’t mean the animal has Down syndrome. The tiger suffered from a genetic disorder, but social media users jumped to the conclusion that the white tiger had Down syndrome.
Can Animals Have Down Syndrome?
Can animals have Down syndrome? No, animals don’t have Down syndrome. Animals may suffer from genetic anomalies. However, they do not have the defining features of Down syndrome that humans do, such as a small nose, a flat face with a short nose, or a shortened upper part of the body. However, both humans and animals with genetic disorders develop decreased muscle tone, the same joint diseases and disorders, and the same short-term memory defects.
The Truth About “Animals with Down Syndrome”
White Tiger with Genetic Anomalies.
Image: Source
Animals don’t have DNA structures like us. So they cannot have the same diseases as humans. But there are pictures of animals with distorted facial features or abnormal limbs. The genetic anomalies of animals cause these conditions. Some genetic anomalies we see in animals are due to aggressive breeding programs. These breeding programs are done to get unique species of animals to sell in the pet market. Some breeding results give cute-looking animals, but in some cases, animals are born with such anomalies.
Genetic Conditions in Animals
An Orangutan with Genetic Anomaly.
Image: Source
A genetic condition occurs when one or more of the animal’s genes interfere with the normal function of the animal’s body. Genetic conditions are considered, and animals are passed from parents to the affected animal. Diseases due to known genetic conditions are usually diagnosed in animals at a very young age. This could lead to the animal dying before or very soon after birth.
Common Genetic Disorders in Animals
The cat has Genetic Anomaly.
Image: Source
As DNA is the basis for all living things, other species of the same species have a similar structure. Thus, it is observed that animals have different physical and mental characteristics from humans. Having different chromosomes from us, there is no possibility of having similar genetic diseases. Animals with genetic anomalies face challenges different from ours.
Most genetic disorders show signs at an early age. Animals with genetic disorders are slow doers and fail to thrive and die early. This is the most common symptom of genetic disorders in animals. So, if you have taken a pet as a pup to your house and it has genetic anomalies, there are possibilities of death at an early age.
Eye disease is a common genetic disorder in animals, causing various conditions that affect the eyes. Hereditary eye diseases are commonly seen in dogs. Due to breeding programs, some of the animals get genetic anomalies. These anomalies can be avoided with the required precautions by the breeder and with the help of veterinarians.
One of the most common Genetic disorders in animals is neuromuscular diseases, which cause seizures in dogs and some other animals. If your pet is having seizures, this can be the reason. Breeders can avoid these anomalies from passing from one breed to another with the help of veterinarians.
How do Genetic Anomalies Affect Animals?
Image: Source
Genetic anomalies happen in every species. Some lethal genetic anomalies in animals cause early death, and genetic anomalies cause infertility in domestic animals. Veterinarians and pathologists working with veterinarians are critical in diagnosing and preventing genetic anomalies.
Instances of Down Syndrome-Like Symptoms in Animals
A Chimp with Genetic Anomalies.
Image: Source
Animals with genetic anomalies show signs different from humans with Down Syndrome. Typical symptoms include mental retardation, facial malformations.
Pituitary dwarfism is one of the common symptoms that can be seen in domestic animals. Pituitary dwarfism isn’t always that easy to diagnose. Pituitary dwarfism refers to a type of dwarfism that results from an adefici, which is a growth hormone.
Animals with Down Syndrome and genetic disorders also suffer from heart defects, with other symptoms including hypotonia, hyper-flexibility of joints, umbilical hernias, and a faint mewing cry.
Observations from Veterinarians
Genetic disorders in animals are the most common problems in animal breeding. Veterinarians are the critical factor in dealing with this matter. Genetic disorders can be detected before birth with the help of radiology and other techniques. Veterinarians can provide information to prevent genetic disorders by suggesting steps to eliminate the affected animals from breeding.
Conclusion
Animals don’t get Down Syndrome like us as their DNA differs from humans. However, animals can develop genetic disorders that can be detected early with radiology. Detecting the disorder in the early stages can prevent it from spreading, with proper instructions from veterinarians for breeders.
FAQ
Can a dog have Down’s syndrome?
No, your beloved pet dog doesn’t have Down syndrome. Animals don’t have Down Syndrome symptoms, but they do have genetic disorders such as Pituitary dwarfism, Congenital Hypothyroidism, hyper-flexibility of joints, and heart diseases. These anomalies can be the result of aggressive breeding. These anomalies can cause death at an early stage of life. So, before taking a pet home, you should take it to the veterinarian. Going through the pain of losing a pet is not what you want to experience.
Do Down syndrome cats exist?
No, cats have 19 pairs of chromosomes. It can’t be possible for them to have Down Syndrome, but they may have some other genetic problems. Otto the kitten is one of the viral pictures of animals considered to have Down syndrome. The kitten passed away at an early stage due to genetic anomalies, which can cause death in animals at a very early stage.
Can monkeys have Down syndrome?
Animals don’t get Down Syndrome, but they may have other genetic disorders. Monkeys are rare candidates for Down syndrome as they have almost similar chromosomes to humans. Some monkeys have genetic anomalies as they have an extra pair of chromosomes 22. So, if you have seen any viral images of chimps or monkeys with distorted faces, they may have suffered a genetic anomaly.
How do genetic anomalies affect animal health and behavior?
Genetic anomalies in animals affect their reproductive system, cause deformities in their bone structures, and even cause seizures in domestic animals.
Are there specific symptoms or characteristics of genetic disorders in animals?
Early signs of genetic disorders in animals are slow doer, failure to thrive, and dying early. Other symptoms are seizures, hyper flexibility in joints, and heart problems.
Disclaimer: The images used in this blog are not owned by Some Facts About. Source links of images are given.