White cats of any breed are aristocratic, rare, and look more spectacular than cats of other colors. That's why they are incredibly popular. Caring for a snow-white coat requires a lot of time, effort, patience and material costs from their owners. Another problem may be the pet’s complete or partial deafness.
White Cat Deafness Study
The fact of deafness of white cats interested scientists several decades ago. In 1997, a large-scale study of the problem was carried out, as a result of which several interesting facts emerged:
- Deafness resulting from the mutation process can be either complete or partial.
- Hearing loss affects about 20% of cats with white fur and non-blue eyes.
White cat of the Kao-mani breed with yellow eyes
- 40% of all cats with heterochromia (different eye colors) have hearing loss, which manifests itself in the ear next to the eye with a blue iris.
White Scottish Fold with different eyes
- 80% of blue-eyed white cats are deaf.
White British cat with blue eyes
Read the article: 20 breeds of white cats.
Don't be afraid
Cat discharge: bloody, white, purulent
But don't be so afraid! In fact, the risk is not that great. According to statistics, 18-20% of snow-white cats that do not have blue eyes are still born deaf, no one is immune from this! Cats with different eye colors (heterochromia), if one of their eyes is blue, are born deaf in 40% of cases, most often deafness occurs in the ear on the side of which the blue eye is located. But white cats, which also have blue eyes in both eyes, sad as it may be, are deaf from birth in 80% of cases.
Natural selection
Animals with pure white fur are extremely rare in nature. This coloring makes them vulnerable and reduces their chances of survival due to the lack of necessary camouflage. Therefore, the opportunity to purchase white cats today has been preserved only thanks to breeders and interest in such pets on the part of buyers. In the world, these animals make up no more than 5% of the entire population.
Previously, when the problem was not yet so obvious, breeders sometimes did not even realize that their white cat could not hear. Then he gave birth to offspring, and the deafness spread further along the family line. Today, such cats are not used for further breeding, which has significantly reduced the rate of spread of the problem among white-haired fluffies.
Norwegian Forest Cats are white
Degrees of albinism
This is the basis of true albinos, which are rare. Partial albinism, however, is much more common than you might think. One surprising thing I learned was that some members of the so-called "Oriental" cat family, including the Siamese, Burmese and Tonkinese, each get their distinctive "pointy" coloring from some sort of partial albino genetic heritage.
A colored coat is one in which the color tends to concentrate in certain areas. Color concentration is dependent on heat, with pigmentation developing in cooler areas while warmer areas remain much lighter in comparison. Colored cats, at least those that evolved from the Siamese, including the Thai cat, are born white and develop their color patterns as they age.
Genetics of deafness in cats
Scientists have studied and explained quite well the reason for the increased number of cases of deafness among white cats. It's all about the insidious mutant gene Dominant White (W-).
At the stage of embryo development, a certain number of melanoblasts begin to form near the neural tube, which must produce pigment and carry it to the hair follicles and retina. With normal genetic development, delivery occurs on time, and colorful kittens with green or yellow eyes are born. But as soon as a mutant appears in the blood, everything changes. It greatly inhibits the rate of advancement of melanoblasts. They do not have time to arrive to the skin and fill the follicles in time. The same is true for the retina of the eye. It turns out that the pigment does not get into them. Sometimes a small number of melanoblasts still reach their targets, so only certain areas of the body may appear white. Or the pigment reaches the iris only in a limited amount, which is why the kitten is born heterochromic, when one eye is blue and the other, for example, yellow. This phenomenon occurs not only among cats, but among other animals and even people.
Kao-mani with blue eyes
Other cells are also formed near the neural tube, which, in particular, are responsible for the normal development of the auditory system. The mutant also delays their spread. It was found that one dominant allele of the W gene can affect not only the color of the coat and eyes, but also cause deafness. The necessary groups of cells reach the middle ear when it has already formed incorrectly, and nothing can be corrected.
The effect of the gene continues to be studied because, as it turns out, kittens with white coat color and a congenital ear defect have several other deviations from the norm: they are less fertile and their viability is reduced. It turns out that the mutant affects almost all processes during the formation of the fetus, and not, as was commonly believed, responsible for only one trait - the presence of pigment.
Albino mating
Due to various health problems, mating albinos is a very dubious idea. However, breeders often ignore possible diseases of future offspring and cross albinos with representatives of different breeds.
A mutation at the gene level is inherited only if both parents are carriers of the W gene. However, due to the rarity of such individuals, matings occur infrequently. Breeders do not recommend breeding two albinos: there is a high probability of offspring being born with numerous disabilities (hearing loss, vision loss, disorders of the musculoskeletal system, etc.).
Mating among albinos is not encouraged, but it is possible to breed an albino with ordinary cats
Mating with an ordinary cat is quite possible, since in this case, due to the recessiveness of the albinism gene, normal kittens with some color are born.
Factors that increase the likelihood of deafness in white cats
The figure shows the likelihood of a cat being deaf depending on the color of its fur and iris. Hearing defects may affect two ears, or may appear in only one.
Among the entire cat population, no more than 1.5% are found that have white fur and blue eyes, one or both. Their geographical distribution is uneven.
As a result of research, it was found that white cats with long hair are more likely to have hearing defects than their short-haired counterparts. In addition, blue-eyed cats are 5 times more likely to develop middle ear degeneration than cats with eyes of other colors. Having only one blue eye doubles the risk of developing deafness compared to cats that do not have both eyes blue.
White Cymric
As a result of natural selection, cats with white fur have virtually no chance of survival in the wild for several reasons:
- Due to the likelihood of deafness, the ability to live normally and hunt successfully is reduced.
- There is a risk of developing photophobia, which makes it difficult to stay in the sun.
- Blue-eyed animals have difficulty seeing normally in the dark.
But people liked white cats so much that today the demand for such kittens is very high. This type of color is found in almost every breed, and breeders have learned to test a cat for deafness using the BAER test, which can be performed at any veterinary clinic. If suddenly a defect is discovered, then such a cat will not participate in further procreation.
Foreign white
Caring for a special pet
Albinos are not recommended to be kept with other pets due to the high likelihood of infection and possible harassment from cats with normal colors. Such pets require a lot of attention, so it is much calmer not to be torn between several pets.
Feeding
Due to frequent allergies and gastrointestinal problems, the best feeding option is ready-made dry food for cats with sensitive digestion. On such a diet, the animal will receive all the necessary elements without harm to health.
Mating or castration?
Serious congenital anomalies appear only in kittens that received the mutant gene from both mother and father at the same time. With a standard set of genes in at least one of the parents, all offspring are born with normal color.
It is acceptable to breed an albino cat with a regular cat, but it is better to neuter an albino cat immediately. Due to weak immunity, the pet may not survive childbirth and die.
Identifying the problem of deafness in a cat or kitten
Congenital deafness may not appear immediately. Sometimes kittens are born hearing, but due to a defect, less and less blood begins to flow to the deformed ear, and it stops hearing completely. This usually occurs at 3-4 weeks of life.
If only one ear is damaged, then sometimes the owner may not even realize it. The kitten quickly adapts to life with restrictions and begins to behave in the most normal way.
A short examination at a veterinary clinic will help identify the problem. But you can do this at home yourself. To do this, you need to perform some actions near the cat and monitor the reaction:
- Take a piece of paper and tear it.
- Rustle the foil.
- Tap on a hard surface.
- Make hissing sounds.
In this case, the cat should not see you for the reaction to be reliable. Ideally, he should doze with his back to you. If a cat hears, he will definitely react to the noise. If there is no reaction, then a more in-depth examination by a veterinarian is necessary.
Sometimes signs of deafness include purring too loudly and restless sleep.
White Persian cat
Symptoms of the disease
Cats adapt well to their condition at the expense of their other senses. There is a certain belief that their sensitivity is so heightened that they hear by perceiving sound vibrations in the bones of the skeleton and vibrissae. They sense movement behind them by vibrations in the air.
And yet, the onset of deafness can be determined. It is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- meowing too loudly;
- lack of reaction to opening the refrigerator door or to the rustling of a bag of food;
- loss of orientation, frequent looking around;
- shaking the head, rubbing the ears with a paw;
- in case of an infectious disease or sulfur plugs, an unpleasant odor may be felt;
- The old cat doesn't respond to his name.
To confirm your suspicions, you need to make some sound at some distance from the animal. A well-hearing cat will react by turning its ears. A louder sound will cause fear and a reaction from the whole body. If these signs are not present, it means that the fears have been confirmed, and the cat cannot hear at all.
What to do if the cat is deaf, how to ensure safety
When deafness occurs in ordinary cats, it is usually associated with a certain disease that can be cured. The story is different with white cats. Their defect is congenital. Therefore, it cannot be treated. But this does not mean that such a pet will please you less. He will certainly become everyone's pet, but such a cat will require special care:
- Do not let him go further than the house or fenced garden area.
- Avoid contact with other animals unless they live together.
- Develop a series of gestures that will replace voice commands and help the cat understand what the owner wants to say.
- Build the skill of maintaining eye contact through rewards and repetition.
Even in the absence of hearing, the kitten will very soon begin to distinguish family members by the different vibrations from their steps. Deaf cats love their owners no less than hearing cats. The main thing is to provide the pet with a safe habitat, because they do not hear many signs of approaching danger - yard dogs or cars.
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Features of character and subtleties of care
White fur requires careful care. Basically, this is done by the pet itself. A neatly licked fur coat shines and makes a pleasant impression.
The owner must also monitor the hygiene of his pet, comb out excess hair using gloves and other devices, and ensure that it does not get tangled.
On the eve of the exhibition, he needs to be bathed. To do this, you need to use a special hypoallergenic shampoo that does not irritate delicate skin. You just shouldn’t do this often; sometimes you can get by with dry shampoo.
There are some other nuances that need to be taken into account when keeping a white cat:
- Deaf white cats have highly developed other senses. With their whiskers (vibrissae), they easily recognize the voices of their owners, which is why many people have no idea that their pet is completely deaf.
- White pets should not be exposed to the sun for long periods of time. Their ears are very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation. A strong tan can not only cause injury, but also cancer.
- The owner needs to be careful when walking. A deaf cat can become a victim of dogs or get hit by a moving vehicle.
- You should not include boiled carrots, liver, and other offal in your diet. The fur may gradually turn from white to beige or take on a yellow tint.
- After the bath, your pet's coat should be dried with a hairdryer. Don't forget to pre-set the hot air temperature. Dry hairs are more slippery and will stay clean much longer.
Tarnished Reputation
White cats, and especially long-haired white cats, are called by breeders not for lazy people. And it is important to realize this point even before purchasing, since there is nothing more pathetic than dirty, matted fur of an indistinct shade. White cats completely ignore blind partitions, closed doors and strict prohibitions: if there is dirt in the house, she will find it, smear herself and appear before the owner, looking at him with the most innocent look. It is useless to scold, and even more so to wean the cat from exploring the territory. A white cat in the house is a serious reason to maintain perfect cleanliness.
Read also: What to do if the pepper does not sprout
However, you should not think that a snow-white cat is a kind of dust collector. If the pet is healthy and the owner does not forget to take care of the fur, there will be much fewer problems. As a rule, the “revealing” places are the heels, base of the tail, chest, muzzle and base of the ears. In these areas, the fur often takes on a yellowish or grayish tint, even if the house is sterilely clean. Therefore, caring for a white cat necessarily includes bathing with the use of special shampoos, pastes and powders. Cosmetics must be professional, and therefore not cheap. A cheap whitening shampoo can burn the fur and turn it a “cheerful” bluish or greenish tint.
In Ancient Rus' there was even a sign about what a white cat in a soiled fur coat means in a dream: slander, a tarnished reputation, gossip, unsightly rumors. And really, what will guests think when they see a grimy, once snow-white cat? It is doubtful that they will consider the owners to be neat, loving and caring people.
How to provide first aid for heart failure
If you do not immediately help your pet during an acute attack of heart failure, he may die suddenly.
You need to act measuredly, but quickly, as follows:
- lay the pet's head to one side;
- remove tongue from mouth;
- Apply a cool compress prepared in advance to the cat’s head;
- try to bring the animal to its senses by holding a cotton ball soaked in ammonia to its nose;
- The paws must be held above the head to increase blood flow to it.
- Left ventricular heart failure
Diagnosis of the disease
If symptoms of deafness appear, you should show your pet to a veterinarian; only he will be able to professionally determine the presence of deafness, its level, and the cause. The following methods exist for this:
- Examination of the auricle and inner ear (using a special device - an otoscope). This allows you to determine the presence of injuries, infections, and ear parasites.
- If an infection is detected, an additional cytological examination is performed.
- The presence of genetically determined deafness can be verified using a special instrumental study that allows one to determine the auditory potential of the brain stem when the hearing organ is irritated by sound vibrations.
- If the presence of neoplasms is suspected, magnetic resonance or computed tomography is used.
Mackerel for weight loss: benefit or harm?
When answering this question, it is important to remember that the process of losing weight is not only about losing excess weight and burning excess calories. This is a “restart” of the body’s functioning, when the food consumed is extremely beneficial, saturates with essential substances and microelements, and, as a result, improves well-being and health. This is a “restart” of the body’s functioning, when the food consumed is extremely beneficial, saturates with essential substances and microelements, and, as a result, improves well-being and health.
This is a “restart” of the body’s functioning, when the food consumed is extremely beneficial, saturates with essential substances and microelements, and, as a result, improves well-being and health.
Everyone has heard about the benefits of seafood, due to the high content of such important vitamins for health as vitamins B, A, C, D, E, K and trace elements: phosphorus, iodine, potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, zinc, fluorine.
The fat content of mackerel depends on the place of catch (there are Australian, Atlantic, Far Eastern), as well as on the time - in the fall the fat content of the fish reaches 30% (the value of such fish is much higher for the body), and in the spring - about 4%.
If the protein content, for example, in Atlantic mackerel is on average 20%, and fat - 13%, then the Far Eastern mackerel has higher values (24% and 30%, respectively).
On the positive side, it is worth noting that the proteins contained in mackerel are much easier and faster absorbed by the body, unlike proteins from poultry, beef and pork.
For example, it takes almost 5 hours to digest beef, and only 2-3 hours for fish.
Being a supplier of invaluable Omega fatty acids that help prevent cardiovascular diseases, atherosclerosis, arthritis, mackerel, at the same time, can have a negative impact on metabolism if the product is of poor quality or improperly consumed.
It is important to note that only fresh or freshly frozen fish will retain all the value of the beneficial elements it contains. If the fish has been subjected to repeated freezing or temperature changes, the fats in it quickly oxidize and turn from beneficial to harmful. If the fish has been subjected to repeated freezing or temperature changes, the fats in it quickly oxidize and turn from beneficial to harmful
If the fish has been subjected to repeated freezing or temperature changes, the fats in it quickly oxidize and turn from beneficial to harmful.
So, how to properly present this product to the body, preserving valuable substances as much as possible?
You should always remember that eating mackerel is not recommended for people who suffer from liver and pancreas diseases
They should pay attention to low-fat fish varieties, such as pollock, cod
If there are no health problems, the main attention should be paid to the method of preparing mackerel dishes
