The Turkish Angora cat--named for Angora, the former capital of Turkey--is an ancient breed that was prized by early Turkish sultans for its long hair and pure white color. By the late 1800s, the breed was extinct in Europe and North America due to crossbreeding. But since 1917, the Turkish government has been breeding purebreds at the Ankara zoo. Still highly regarded by cat fanciers, these cats are prone to several serious genetic illnesses.
Genetic Deafness
Deafness is a common affliction of Turkish Angora cats; however, all white cats with blue eyes are prone to this problem. Angoras with one blue eye and one green or yellow eye can also lose their hearing but will only do so on the side with the blue eye. A totally or partially deaf cat will adapt to the situation well, learning to interpret vibrations instead of sounds. Hearing impaired cats also learn to depend more on their visual and olfactory senses.
Lymphoma
Lymphosarcoma, or lymphoma, is a cancer involving the cat's blood and lymphatic system, which is important to the animal's immune system. Lymph tissues in the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin and lymph nodes can be affected. Symptoms include coughing, respiratory problems, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, weakness and/or loss of appetite. Bloody stool or urine as well as swollen lymph nodes in the neck may be apparent. While surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy are available, these treatments will only slow progression of the disease. Cats living in smoking households are also prone to this disease.
Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HMC, is a genetic disease of the heart which causes sections of the heart muscle to harden, interfering with its ability to beat. Symptoms, which may or may not obviously present themselves, may include a lack of appetite, weight loss, gagging or coughing, lethargy and respiratory problems. Cats in an advanced stage of the disease exhibit nasal discharge, shallow panting with their mouths open, and pale gums. Another serious symptom is sudden paralysis of the rear legs, which could indicate a blood clot in the back. This symptom requires immediate veterinary attention. If caught early, the disease can be treated medically, with a prognosis of up to five years or more. Cats already in heart failure can also survive for up to two years. Even cats who have thrown blood clots have lived for up to two years, although the prognosis is usually poor.
Ataxia
Ataxia is a deadly neuromuscular disease known only to affect Turkish Angora kittens. Symptoms start at about four weeks of age with tremors and a drunken, unsteady gait and rapidly develop into a complete lack of voluntary muscle control. There are three distinct forms of ataxia: cerebellar ataxia is caused by the area of the brain which controls coordination and balance, causing a goose-step type of walk; vestibular ataxia attacks the inner ear and surrounding nerves, which causes a head tilt, walking in circles and frequent falling down; and sensory ataxia, which attacks the brain, spinal cord and surrounding nerves, causing the cat to attempt to balance by standing and walking with their legs splayed. Ataxia may also be the result of an abnormal genetic development of the brain. There are no treatments or cures for this always fatal disease.
Luxating Patella
Luxating patella is caused by a malformation of the knee joint bones, allowing the kneecap to move in and out of position. This is a congenital disease particular to Turkish Angora cats. In severe cases, the kneecap may remain permanently out of joint. According to PetMedsOnline.org, mild cases of this disease should be checked by a veterinarian. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to move the joint into place before it's stabilized. Because there is no prevention for this congenital problem, kittens should be examined by a vet before adoption or purchase, and mature cats should not be allowed to breed.
The Turkish Angora cat--named for Angora, the former capital of Turkey--is an ancient breed that was prized by early Turkish sultans for its long hair and pure white color. By the late 1800s, the breed was extinct in Europe and North America due to crossbreeding. But since 1917, the Turkish government has been breeding purebreds at the Ankara zoo. Still highly regarded by cat fanciers, these cats are prone to several serious genetic illnesses.
Genetic Deafness
Deafness is a common affliction of Turkish Angora cats; however, all white cats with blue eyes are prone to this problem. Angoras with one blue eye and one green or yellow eye can also lose their hearing but will only do so on the side with the blue eye. A totally or partially deaf cat will adapt to the situation well, learning to interpret vibrations instead of sounds. Hearing impaired cats also learn to depend more on their visual and olfactory senses.
Lymphoma
Lymphosarcoma, or lymphoma, is a cancer involving the cat's blood and lymphatic system, which is important to the animal's immune system. Lymph tissues in the spleen, gastrointestinal tract, liver, skin and lymph nodes can be affected. Symptoms include coughing, respiratory problems, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, weakness and/or loss of appetite. Bloody stool or urine as well as swollen lymph nodes in the neck may be apparent. While surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy are available, these treatments will only slow progression of the disease. Cats living in smoking households are also prone to this disease.
Hypertropic Cardiomyopathy
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HMC, is a genetic disease of the heart which causes sections of the heart muscle to harden, interfering with its ability to beat. Symptoms, which may or may not obviously present themselves, may include a lack of appetite, weight loss, gagging or coughing, lethargy and respiratory problems. Cats in an advanced stage of the disease exhibit nasal discharge, shallow panting with their mouths open, and pale gums. Another serious symptom is sudden paralysis of the rear legs, which could indicate a blood clot in the back. This symptom requires immediate veterinary attention. If caught early, the disease can be treated medically, with a prognosis of up to five years or more. Cats already in heart failure can also survive for up to two years. Even cats who have thrown blood clots have lived for up to two years, although the prognosis is usually poor.
Ataxia
Ataxia is a deadly neuromuscular disease known only to affect Turkish Angora kittens. Symptoms start at about four weeks of age with tremors and a drunken, unsteady gait and rapidly develop into a complete lack of voluntary muscle control. There are three distinct forms of ataxia: cerebellar ataxia is caused by the area of the brain which controls coordination and balance, causing a goose-step type of walk; vestibular ataxia attacks the inner ear and surrounding nerves, which causes a head tilt, walking in circles and frequent falling down; and sensory ataxia, which attacks the brain, spinal cord and surrounding nerves, causing the cat to attempt to balance by standing and walking with their legs splayed. Ataxia may also be the result of an abnormal genetic development of the brain. There are no treatments or cures for this always fatal disease.
Luxating Patella
Luxating patella is caused by a malformation of the knee joint bones, allowing the kneecap to move in and out of position. This is a congenital disease particular to Turkish Angora cats. In severe cases, the kneecap may remain permanently out of joint. According to PetMedsOnline.org, mild cases of this disease should be checked by a veterinarian. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to move the joint into place before it's stabilized. Because there is no prevention for this congenital problem, kittens should be examined by a vet before adoption or purchase, and mature cats should not be allowed to breed.
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