Cat Facts

complied by Nancy Kerr

 

A is for:

A cheetah and her cub. The long hair on the cub helps it to blend into the grass.

Acne may result if the hair follicles on a cat’s chin trap excess keratin. As a result, blackheads (or comedones) will form which in turn become pimples which swell and turn red). Some pimples may have pus if there is an underlying bacterial infection.

Acinonyx jubatus is the scientific name for the Cheetah, a large cat and the fastest land animal. Acinonyx derives from two Greek words that roughly translate into “immobile nails” (semi-retractable); jubatus derives from Latin and means crested or maned; long hair on the neck.

Alopecia (or balding) is the partial or complete lack of hair in areas where it is normally present. This is often due to a hormonal imbalance, although less frequently the cause could be hereditary. It is a common symptom in cats, as a wide range of underlying conditions – some life-threatening – can cause hair loss. Depending on the damage caused to the hair follicle, the hair loss may be permanent.

Amyloidosis occurs when proteins called “amyloids” are deposited outside cells in various tissues and organs (such as the kidneys and liver), which then cause tissue damage and organ dysfunction. Amyloidosis has been seen in Abyssinians and Somali. Other breeds that may be affected are the Siamese, Burmese, Tonkinese, Devon Rex, and Oriental Shorthair breeds.

Anemia is a decreased number of circulating red blood cells. Packed Cell Volume (PCV, also called hematocrit) is the most common way to measure anemia and refers to the percentage of blood volume that is taken up by red blood cells. The normal PCV for a cat is 25-45%, and any PCV below 25% is considered anemic. Anemia itself is not a specific disease, but rather the result of some other disease, process or condition. Without enough red blood cells in circulation, other bodily cells will not receive enough oxygen nor nutrients to survive, so anemia can become a critical or even fatal situation very quickly.

Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a sweet-tasting, colorless and odorless liquid which is toxic to cats, which could be attracted to it by its odor and taste. Antifreeze can spill from car radiators, windshield washer fluid, or de-icers during winter or anytime if year-round/multi-season windshield cleaning fluids are being used. A cat may accidentally walk through the spillage, then ingest the antifreeze while grooming. Consuming even the smallest amount can cause kidney failure and death.