Kitten born with two faces needs nine lives

updated 12:15 p.m. ET June 17, 2005

ROSEBURG, Ore. - A newborn kitten recently entered the world with two faces and, hopefully, at least nine lives.

Gemini was born Sunday with two mouths, two tongues, two noses and four eyes.

“I kind of feel sorry for her, because I can’t know for a fact if she’s going to live or die,” its owner, Lee Bluetear, told the (Roseburg) News-Review. “If she makes it, she should be a perfectly normal and healthy cat. Other than having two faces.”

Bluetear says Gemini is much stronger and drinking more milk than in her first few days, though feeding is still difficult.

Roseburg veterinarian Alan Ross, who examined the kitten on Tuesday, said he can’t estimate the kitten’s life span. He said when he first saw the kitten, he wouldn’t have given her more than a 10 percent chance of survival.

“With the three of our veterinarians here, we have a combined total of 50 years of experience,” Ross said. “We have never seen anything like this.”

If the kitten lives, she might need surgery to remove the extra tissue in between its two mouths, the vet said.

Bluetear has been breeding different kinds of animals, starting with dogs, since 1980. Roughly three years ago, she discovered a litter of smaller than normal kittens she calls “miniature cats.”

Gemini was born to a miniature mother and a full-size father.

“Everybody is totally amazed that this thing exists,” Bluetear said.

MORE FROM PET HEALTH

Pet health Section Front

Two-legged dog gives hope to disabled vets Chihuahuas crowding California shelters What do cats do all day? Kitty cam has answer Recalled cat food sickens 21 cats Cats are trainable — and that’s not a punchline Unlikely friends: Why we love odd animal pairs Pet cat in U.S. catches swine flu Scratching? Your pet could have allergies 8 tips to control your pet allergies Most pet owners willing to go mouth-to-muzzle Pet health Section Front   Add Pet health headlines to your news reader: