Two-Faced Kitten
by Elisa Black-Taylor
(USA)
I’ve lived for almost 50 years and I’ve just seen the strangest thing in my long life. I have to tell everyone about this because it’s all over the news in the U.S. West Virginia is now the home of a newborn two-faced kitten. The kitten, born on June 8, 2010, has already been named Two-Face.
If you’re like me, you’ve never heard of such a thing. As it turns out, the kitten(s) were born with 2 heads, 2 noses, 2 mouths and 4 eyes. This is a genetic mutation called Diprosopus or craniofacial duplication and causes double mutations of the face.
The Kanawha Humane Society is helping the family with the specialized care of the new addition, as cats born with this mutation don’t normally live long. Lets all get together and pray for this little cutie. So far the baby(s) are nursing normally with the brothers and sisters. Two-Face was one in a litter of six.

A poor quality still from the video
I can’t embed the video
After reading a few of the many articles now circulating on the internet, I decided to dig into the subject of Diprosopus. Here’s the best link I found on this genetic mutation. I caution you against going to this site, as the pictures of these poor babies is very disturbing. I’m including them as they are of importance to those studying cat mutations. Two Faced Kitten. There have been several other cases documented over the last decade. Sadly, these two-faced kittens don’t have a very good chance of survival.
Complications from pneumonia, cleft palate and organ conditions means this is usually fatal. Sometimes one cat gets all of the nourishment and the other gets none.
The proud human parents Two Face are hoping for a miracle. As of 11p.m. on June 10th the kittens are still alive.
Let’s wish them and their family lots of prayers and love.
Elisa