![]() ![]() There is always a strong worry the lack of, or shortened, tail is caused by an inherited deformity of the end of the spine – similar to the Manx cat. Health and welfare of cats with shortened tails We do not have enough information to know whether gene mutations resulting in curled (rather than the folded) ears causes similar problems in cartilage at other sites (such as joints), but there are comments from breeders of these cats that the ears are fragile and may be easily damaged when handled and there is anecdotal mention of narrowed ear canals. Folded or curled ears can also make it difficult for the cat to clean its ears, so owners may need to remove any wax or dirt accumulation from the ear to help prevent discomfort and infection. As the disease progresses the joints stiffen, bones fuse and movement becomes more difficult and extremely painful. However, the cartilage defect affects their joints as well as the ear cartilage and folds can suffer from severe and painful degenerative joint disease throughout their lives. The most well known is the Scottish Fold cat where the Scottish Fold gene mutation detrimentally affects cartilage, most obviously seen making the ear cartilage fold ( click here for more information). There are several breeds of cat with ears that do not stand up in the normal way – some folding downwards and some curling backwards. Health and welfare of cats with folded or curled ears It has curled tufted ears, a short bobbed tail and often polydactyl feet. There is no evidence of feral ancestry in these cats.Highlanders, also sometimes known as the Highland Lynx, can be both short haired and long haired and the name refers to the intent of creating a domestic cat with a powerful “big cat”. It is important to note that DNA testing on these cats has failed to show positve results for the presence of bobcat DNA. The most common ones are the Pixie Bob and those breeds in the Desert Lynx breed group (Desert Lynx, Highland Lynx, Mohave Bob, and Alpine Lynx). *There are several breeds of cats whose origins are speculated to be intertwined with the bobcat. Breeders not wishing to work with Mohave Bobs do not have to worry about this as long as neither of the parents have curled coats. The curled coat is caused by a dominant gene. ![]() ![]() Breeders not wishing to work with the Alpine Lynx would not have to worry about white kittens as long as neither parent is an Alpine Lynx. ![]() Therefore, breeders wishing to work with Desert Lynx only would not have to worry about getting curled-eared recessive genes in Desert Lynx who have Highland Lynx in their ancestry. Non-white kittens do not carry the gene for white color. When these breeds are bred together, the straight-eared kittens resulting from the breeding do not carry any genes for curled ears. The curled ears of the Highland Lynx are caused by a dominant gene which both curls the ears and somewhat reduces the size of the ears. As the breed continues to evolve, white cats that would otherwise be registered as Desert Lynx, Highland Lynx, or Mohave Bob may be registered as Alpine Lynx. Early breedings suggested that this white gene was a dominant gene, manifesting itself the same as the white gene found in other domestic cats. These cats were crossed into existing Desert Lynx and Highland Lynx lines. Early in the development of the breed, the white color came by introducing white cats from what was believed to be an undocumented mating between a domestic female and a large feral white cat which appeared to look like a bobcat. Alpine Lynx come in one coat color–white. It may be full length or any length in between. The tail may come half way to the ground, or it may be lacking entirely, as in the Manx. The wide set eyes are large and expressive, set at an angle, with colors coming in blue, green, gold, and odd-eyed with one blue eye and one green or gold eye. The gene for curled ear is a dominant gene. The gene which causes the ear to curl actually hardens the cartilage in the ear and dwarfs the ear size. The degree of the curl may be slight or extreme, with the tip of the ear actually curling back and touching the back side of the ear. The head is large but not round, with a full, well-developed muzzle that is almost square in appearance, with prominent whisker pads. The curled ears are smaller than in the Desert Lynx and set wide apart, usually with feathering and tufts on the tip. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |