Albino cat: health, care features, breeds

Albino animals often attract human attention. Their snow-white fur makes them stand out among their other brethren. This gene is also found among cats. However, not all white cats are albinos, and not all albinos are completely white. Let's look at how albinism manifests itself in cats, what breeds have a genetic predisposition to albinism, and what are the health and behavioral characteristics of albino cats.

Albinism and how it appears

A pigment called melanin is responsible for the color of the fur, skin and iris of animals. It is he who determines the color of the animal, and is also responsible for the variety of coat colors among cats.

There are two types of melanin: Pheomelanin reflects sunlight, causing the fur to appear reddish or reddish. Eumelanin absorbs sunlight and gives the coat its black color.

In the skin, fur and iris, these two types of melanin are contained in different proportions - which gives us a variety of animal colors. The color of an animal is genetically predetermined and in most cases directly depends on the color of the parents and more distant ancestors.

The main feature of albinos is that there is no melanin in their body at all. This leads to the fact that in most cases the fur of such an animal appears completely white, and the eyes appear red. This is due to the fact that there is no pigment in the albino iris, and therefore it is transparent, and we can see the inside of the eyeball and blood vessels.

Albinism is often associated with a genetic mutation. A recessive gene is responsible for the inheritance of this feature. This means that in order to produce albino kittens in a litter, both parents must have this trait. If one of the parents is not albino, most likely all kittens will be born colored.

Albinism is directly related to genetic abnormalities, and therefore such kittens are often born with various pathologies. For example, deaf individuals are often found among albino cats, and some kittens have serious vision problems. Therefore, when buying an all-white kitten, you should immediately check that it reacts to sounds and light, otherwise you may buy an animal with special features.

Albinism can be complete or partial. Full albinos are completely devoid of melanin, and therefore they can only have a white color. Partial albinos may have colored areas of their fur or colored eyes.

There is a so-called W gene. Its presence in the body causes a malfunction in which white begins to dominate the color. Such cats have melanin in their bodies, but due to the presence of the W gene in the body, all its manifestations are completely or partially suppressed.

Animals with complete and partial albinism can be distinguished by their iris. In complete albinos it has a reddish tint, but in partial albinos it can take on different colors. If a white cat has eyes of different colors, then this is a manifestation of the work of the W gene. Moreover, cats with the W gene are often born completely or partially deaf. If a white cat has only one blue eye, then she may be deaf in only one ear. Studies have shown that about 20% of white cats with non-blue eyes are born deaf. About 40% of cats with one blue eye may be deaf. About 70% of cats with both blue eyes are born completely deaf.

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Albino animals are rare in the wild. Due to health problems, they live much shorter lives. The white color does not allow such animals to camouflage effectively, which means they are vulnerable to predators. White predators are much more noticeable, which can lead to difficulties during the hunt. During mating, females show preference for colored males.

However, people consider animals with completely white fur to be very beautiful. Therefore, albinos are specially bred. Among cats, there are entire white lines that are bred as a result of selection of individuals with partial albinism.

Cats and cats with red eyes

Naturally, any genetic failure causes complications for the functioning of the entire organism. In fact, a mutation occurs, during which the entire body must be rebuilt in a new way in order to function smoothly and correctly, taking into account the new conditions.

Such a transformation requires a period of several generations. But albinism is not a pattern at all, but a rare accident, so that a complete degeneration of the species cannot be expected.

The white skin itself already entails special care. It helps to attract active sunny people, and is also susceptible to their negative effects. To prevent your cat from getting serious illnesses, you will have to limit its exposure to direct sunlight. In addition, it should be taken into account that the characteristics of origin entail reduced immunity. So your pet should also be protected from hypothermia and drafts.

We have already found out what red irises are. In fact, the iris is transparent and what we see are blood vessels visible through it. Pigmentation on the pupils exists not only to decorate our appearance. It protects our pupils from light.

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Unprotected organs of vision suffer greatly in brightly lit rooms. They are born with poor eyesight. Moreover, they see poorly both during the day and at night. Fortunately, felines are able to navigate through other senses besides vision.

Albino cat appearance

Not every white cat can be considered a complete albino. It should be remembered that this is a genetic mutation, the presence of which can be determined by the color of the coat, paw pads and tip of the nose. There should be no pigment on any of these areas of the body.

The most important sign of a true albino is the color of the iris. Full albinos have red, pink, or pink-blue eyes. Translucent vessels can be seen through the iris. If the iris is well colored in blue, green and other colors, then such an individual has partial albinism. Among cats, complete albinos are extremely rare. It is believed that one complete albino is born among cats per 10 thousand individuals. At the same time, there are breeds among which albinos are much more common. This is due to their genetic characteristics.

With different eyes

There are such amazing snow-white creatures that have two eyes of different colors . Most often, one of them is blue, and the other has a shade of brown. For example, golden or light brown. These animals look very unusual, which means they attract people’s attention.

What does this diversity mean? It suggests that the genetic failure did not occur completely, but partially. As a rule, the golden organ of vision sees well, but the one with a bluish tint sees poorly. It often happens that the ear on the side of the blue pupil cannot hear. Deafness does not necessarily accompany blue eyes, but it is quite common.

Health Features

In addition to the congenital health problems that often accompany albinism, individuals with this mutation have rather fragile health. They are more prone to colds and are afraid of cold weather and drafts. Areas of the skin that are devoid of pigment and not covered with fur are very vulnerable to the sun. Albinos often suffer from sunburn.

Albinos have a very fragile immune system, and therefore they are more vulnerable to various infections. That is why such cats must be vaccinated without fail. In addition, it is not advisable to keep them with painted animals, which can easily transmit various diseases to their unpainted counterparts.

The albinism gene directly affects the functioning of some internal organs. For this reason, albino kittens are often born deaf and blind. This is due to genetic characteristics, and therefore it is impossible to cure such an animal.

To check that an albino kitten is completely healthy, you need to play with it. The baby should respond to sharp sounds - such as cotton or the rustling of a toy. If the kitten carefully follows the movements of the toy with its eyes, we can conclude that everything is fine with its vision. If a kitten has a hearing or vision problem, you need to understand that such an animal will need special care and increased attention from the owner.

The albinism gene may affect musculoskeletal health. The genetic characteristics of albinos are often associated with impaired formation of cartilage tissue, which is why the animal may suffer from problems with joints, claws and teeth. Some diseases can develop with age, so the health of an albino cat must be monitored very closely and periodically taken to the veterinarian for examinations.

Inflammation of the eyelids

The disease is caused by fungal and bacterial infections. The main signs of inflammation of the eyelids or blepharitis:

The eyelids are swollen and inflamed.
Over time, baldness of the eyelids begins to occur.
Your pet rubs his eyes all the time and is bothered by itching.
The eyes are “crying.” The discharge is purulent or mucous. The cat has a red eye or both. Most often, both eyes turn red.
Strabismus may occur.
The pet blinks frequently.

How to help your pet? Do not hesitate to visit a veterinarian. It is possible that surgery will be required. It is carried out in severe cases of the disease. The rest prescribe antibiotics, ointments, and antifungal drugs.

Albino cat personality

The character of an animal rarely depends on color. So albino cats may be no different from their colored counterparts. Although it is worth noting here that the albinism gene can affect the health of the animal, but this point is already associated with changes in behavior.

Albino cats may be highly sensitive to sounds and bright lights. They are more vulnerable and therefore need attention and care. Such cats can follow their owner everywhere and get nervous if he is not nearby. In unusual situations (when moving, new animals and small children appearing in the family), albino cats can experience extreme stress.

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Albinos can be more cowardly. If guests come to the house, they prefer to hide. Other cats may dominate them. Such animals are very anxious and modest. At the same time, they can be quite intrusive towards their owner, as they need increased attention.

Conjunctivitis

This is an inflammation of the protective membrane of the eye (conjunctiva). If your cat's eye is red and pus-filled, sticky and watery, he could have contracted conjunctivitis.

There are two types of disease: caused by a bacterial infection and viral. In the first case, the disease develops very quickly, in the second - quite slowly.

It is important to consider that the eyes do not always fester with conjunctivitis. The cat's eye is red. Or both eyes. A colorless mucous liquid flows out of them. And these secretions “slow down” the rapid recognition of the disease. This is a viral form of the disease.

If the pet has contracted bacterial conjunctivitis, then there may be no redness of the eyes. But purulent discharge is a prerequisite for the development of the disease.

How to treat the disease? Firstly, only a veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis. He will prescribe antibacterial or antiviral medications that are necessary for treatment.

Maintenance and care

Albino cats are very vulnerable to various diseases, and they also have fragile health. That is why such animals need more careful care. When purchasing an albino pet, the owner must be prepared for the fact that such a cat will have to pay much more attention than its colored counterparts.

Due to their fragile health, albino cats should only be kept indoors. Walking on the street is contraindicated for them. On the one hand, they are vulnerable to various infections, as well as drafts. On the other hand, sensitive skin gets sunburned easily. In addition, walks can be a source of stress for rather timid albinos.

It is advisable for the cat to have its own place at home. You can buy a special house in which your pet can hide and feel protected. Albinos really need the attention of their owner. If the owner is at work all day, the animal may become very bored and even stressed. This is especially true for cats with special needs - deaf and blind, who need much more attention.

Diagnosis of diseases and their treatment

Diagnosis and treatment of red eyes in cats should be under the supervision of a veterinarian. Without the necessary research, which can only be carried out by a doctor, it is impossible to make an accurate diagnosis, much less write down a treatment regimen.

Depending on the reasons that triggered the development of eye hyperemia in a cat, the doctor will select further tactics of action.

Diagnosis of the disease consists of a thorough clinical examination and history taking. In addition, to confirm or refute suspicions of a viral infection, a sample of discharge from the eye is taken for analysis.

An analysis is also carried out - bacterial culture on nutrient media, which makes it possible to determine the type of pathogenic microflora and select an antibiotic that is most sensitive to bacteria. Laboratory diagnostic methods also include a general blood test, which allows one to determine the qualitative composition of the blood and identify the degree of the inflammatory process.

Instrumental diagnostic methods are ophthalmoscopy. Using a special device, the veterinarian examines the animal's damaged eye, noting the slightest changes in the structural units.

Therapy includes eliminating the source of inflammation and for this purpose antibiotics and antiviral drugs are prescribed. If a foreign body enters, manipulation is carried out in order to eliminate debris or other stuck particles.

The presence of a tumor in the eye or ulcerative lesions more often implies surgical intervention followed by a recovery period.

Symptomatic treatment consists of eliminating the main signs of the disease. Antihistamines are widely used to relieve inflammation, and the affected organ is regularly washed with antiseptic solutions.

In purebred cats, such as Persians or exotics, redness of the eyes occurs at the slightest deviation in hygiene. Such pets are recommended to regularly treat their eyes with water-based chamomile solutions to prevent the development of inflammatory reactions.

Nutrition

It is not advisable to feed albino cats natural food. They have much more sensitive digestion, and therefore some foods may be poorly digested and cause a negative reaction. Finding the optimal diet for such animals is much more difficult. In addition, some foods can cause the animal's fur to change color - a snow-white cat can easily turn yellow.

Dry and canned food is good for albinos. It is advisable to buy food labeled “for sensitive digestion.” Preference should be given to premium and super-premium class. Economy class food not only will not bring any benefit, but can, on the contrary, lead to digestive disorders.

Glaucoma

The cat's eye is red and watery. Or both eyes rapidly turn red, the animal stops responding to light, and the eyes constantly “cry.” What should the owner do? First of all, take a close look at the symptoms. If the owner of a sick pet notices the following signs, do not hesitate to visit a veterinarian:

Loss of orientation in space.
The pet's eyes are red.
There is constant separation of tears from the eyes.
The eyeball is swollen.
The cat is unable to completely close its eyes due to the fact that the eyelids are swollen.
The pupil is dilated.
The pet does not react to light, or, on the contrary, photophobia occurs.
The cornea becomes cloudy.

These are clear signs of glaucoma. The animal is in very severe pain. And only a veterinarian can alleviate it. If only because he will give you an anesthetic injection. And it is urgent to start looking for the cause of the disease. Once it is found, the disease is eliminated fairly quickly.

How to relieve your pet's suffering? Alas, it’s unlikely to be possible to do this on your own. This requires the help of a veterinary specialist. And the sooner the better.

Hygiene

Albinos, like other cats, usually manage their own hygiene on their own. However, dust and dirt are much more noticeable on snow-white wool than on dyed wool. Not all albinos cope with maintaining their fur in proper form. In this case, owner intervention is required. It is not advisable to bathe cats frequently. Frequent exposure to water and detergents can cause the skin to dry out and become more prone to dermatitis. Dust from wool can be removed with a damp cloth.

Once every couple of months, the animal can be completely bathed. During the procedure, special shampoos should be used. Human cats are not suitable. They may have odors that are irritating to the animal. In addition, they contain components that can lead to irritation on the pet’s skin. It is worth noting that there are special shampoos for albino cats that help whiten their fur. After bathing, your pet should be protected from drafts. You can't let him go outside with wet fur.

You should also monitor the condition of the eyes, ears, fangs and claws. You can wipe your eyes with a cotton pad moistened with clean boiled water. Ears can be cleaned with cotton swabs, and claws can be cut with a nail clipper. Veterinarians also advise periodically brushing your pets' teeth. To do this, you need to use a special toothpaste and brush. A cat should be taught to brush its teeth from childhood.

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What to do at home

Keep your cat at home as quiet as possible to stop bleeding, allow the hyphema to settle in the eye, and reduce the risk of further bleeding. It may be necessary to limit your cat's physical activity for 7-10 days.

Since in some cases vision deteriorates, it is recommended not to allow the cat to go outside without supervision until complete recovery.

Do not give your cat over-the-counter human medications such as Visine or other ophthalmic medications designed to reduce eye redness or irritation, as these products are not effective for hyphema.

Contact your veterinarian as soon as possible, because some causes of hyphema are dangerous not only for the eyesight, but also for the life of the animal.

Albino cat breeds

Albinos can appear among different breeds. And yet there are breeds among which such individuals appear much more often. Some breeds even appeared as a result of breeding individuals with albinism. It is not easy to get snow-white individuals, because a recessive gene is responsible for this color. In addition, during the selection process there is a high number of cullings. Since the albinism gene often leads to deafness, animals with hearing impairment cannot subsequently participate in breeding.

Breeders rarely use individuals with complete albinism for breeding, as they have a number of health problems, which can only intensify during the selection process. But the gene for partial albinism is found in many breeds. Due to selection, the following breeds can boast a completely white color: Turkish Angora, Foreign White, Kao Mani. There are also breeds among which individuals with incomplete albinism are much more common - these are the Siamese, Burmese, Thai, Balinese, Tonkinese and Himalayan.

Khao-mani

The breed comes from Thailand. It is very rare and considered expensive. These are snow-white cats with short hair. Their main feature for which the breed is valued is their multi-colored eyes. There are individuals with the same eye color, but cats with heterochrony are valued much more. In Thailand they are believed to bring good luck.

Kittens are often born with a small dark spot on their head that fades over time. With age, the animal becomes completely white. Most individuals have hearing problems. They are often deaf in the ear on the side of the blue eye.

Foreign white

This breed is related to Siamese cats. Breeder Patricia Turner from the UK set herself the goal of breeding a cat with the body of a Siamese and snow-white fur. In addition, she set herself the goal of minimizing the appearance of deaf individuals among the representatives of the breed. As a result of long work on selection, the goal was achieved.

Foreign Whites are very similar in character and characteristics to Siamese cats. They are smart and can learn commands. These cats are very talkative. Deaf individuals are practically never found.

Possible reasons

Redness of a cat's eyes occurs for various reasons. Such problems arise due to physiological or pathological changes. An allergic reaction can trigger the appearance of redness.

You can find out what to do in this situation only after identifying the provoking factor.

Physiological reasons

The cause of hyperemia often lies in injury or exposure to irritants.

Such changes are observed in the following cases:

Foreign body. Debris and dust entering the eye cause damage to the mucous membranes. In addition to redness, pain and tearing are noted.
Irritation caused by soapy water, chemicals.
Hanging fur. Such problems are observed in long-haired breeds. The hairs get on the cornea and injure it.
Lens luxation. Develops due to injury, glaucoma, uveitis, cataracts. The iris takes on an abnormal appearance. The displacement is noticeable to the naked eye.
Hyphema. The accumulation of blood in the anterior chamber is caused by injuries and poor blood clotting.
Proptosis. Complete or partial loss of the eyeball is a consequence of damage to the organ of vision.

Pathological causes

The following eye diseases can cause redness:

Blepharitis. Inflammation of the eyelid can be of an allergic or infectious nature. The eyelids become enlarged, discharge and itching are noted.
Prolapse. With this pathology, the corners of the eyes turn red due to a change in the position of the lacrimal glands, their loss from the conjunctival sac.
Conjunctivitis. There is thickening of the conjunctiva and profuse lacrimation.
Tumor. Localized on the organ itself or tissues around the eyes.
Ulceration of the cornea. Its surface layer is damaged. Associated symptoms are photophobia and pain.
Dry keratoconjunctivitis. Develops in older cats. Little tear fluid is produced, and the cornea dries out. A burning sensation appears, bright light leads to irritation.
Glaucoma. Increased intraocular pressure provokes destruction of the eye structure. The pupils dilate, the cornea becomes cloudy. In the absence of therapy, the optic nerve atrophies, resulting in complete loss of vision.

Infectious pathologies

Red eyes are often caused by infection:

Mycoplasmosis . A severe pathology of an infectious nature, often leading to the development of pneumonia. In addition to the conjunctiva, joints, kidneys, and genitals are sometimes affected. Cough, nasal discharge, hyperthermia, inflammation of the conjunctiva should alert you.
Chlamydia . The disease affects the organs of vision, respiratory tract, and gastrointestinal tract. In the conjunctive form of the disease, redness of the eyes is noted. There is a risk of vision loss.
Calcivirosis . Affects the conjunctiva, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and joints. Pathology often leads to the death of the animal.