Congenital sensorineural deafness in cats: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:Deaf white cat with odd coloured eyes.jpg|thumb|right|Deaf, [[heterochromia|odd-eyed]] white cat.]] |
[[Image:Deaf white cat with odd coloured eyes.jpg|thumb|right|Deaf, [[heterochromia|odd-eyed]] white cat.]] |
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'''Deaf white cats''' are domestic cats with a pure white coat. |
'''Deaf white cats''' are domestic cats with a pure white coat. Though some all-white cats suffer from [[congenital deafness]] caused by a degeneration of the [[inner ear]].<ref name=Bosher>[http://rspb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/162/987/147.abstract Observations on the Histological Features, Development and Pathogenesis of the Inner Ear Degeneration of the Deaf White Cat]</ref> This condition is associated with blue [[Iris (anatomy)|irises]].{{Citation needed|date=July 2014}} In white cats with mixed-coloured eyes ([[odd-eyed cats]]), it has been found that deafness is more likely to affect the ear on the blue-eyed side.<ref name=Bosher /> White cats can have blue, gold, green, or copper coloured odd eyes. |
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In one 1997 study of white cats with varying degrees of hearing deficiency, 72% of the animals were found to be totally deaf. The entire [[organ of Corti]] was found to have degenerated within the first few weeks after birth; however, even during these weeks no brain stem responses could be evoked by auditory stimuli, suggesting that these animals had never experienced any auditory sensations. It was found that some months after the organ of Corti had degenerated, the [[spiral ganglion]] also began to degenerate.<ref name=Heid>[http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378595597001822 A model for prelingual deafness, the congenitally deaf white cat –population statistics and degenerative changes]</ref> |
In one 1997 study of white cats with varying degrees of hearing deficiency, 72% of the animals were found to be totally deaf. The entire [[organ of Corti]] was found to have degenerated within the first few weeks after birth; however, even during these weeks no brain stem responses could be evoked by auditory stimuli, suggesting that these animals had never experienced any auditory sensations. It was found that some months after the organ of Corti had degenerated, the [[spiral ganglion]] also began to degenerate.<ref name=Heid>[http://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0378595597001822 A model for prelingual deafness, the congenitally deaf white cat –population statistics and degenerative changes]</ref> |
Revision as of 00:34, 11 June 2016
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2016) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Deaf_white_cat_with_odd_coloured_eyes.jpg/220px-Deaf_white_cat_with_odd_coloured_eyes.jpg)
Deaf white cats are domestic cats with a pure white coat. Though some all-white cats suffer from congenital deafness caused by a degeneration of the inner ear.[1] This condition is associated with blue irises.[citation needed] In white cats with mixed-coloured eyes (odd-eyed cats), it has been found that deafness is more likely to affect the ear on the blue-eyed side.[1] White cats can have blue, gold, green, or copper coloured odd eyes.
In one 1997 study of white cats with varying degrees of hearing deficiency, 72% of the animals were found to be totally deaf. The entire organ of Corti was found to have degenerated within the first few weeks after birth; however, even during these weeks no brain stem responses could be evoked by auditory stimuli, suggesting that these animals had never experienced any auditory sensations. It was found that some months after the organ of Corti had degenerated, the spiral ganglion also began to degenerate.[2]
Genetics
The gene that causes a cat to have a white coat is a dominant masking gene. As a result, the cat will have an underlying coat colour and pattern. When the dominant white gene is present, however, that pattern will not be expressed. A cat that is homozygous (WW) or heterozygous (Ww) for this gene will have a white coat despite the underlying pattern/colour. A cat that lacks this dominant masking gene (ww) will exhibit a coat colour/pattern. There are several sources for a white cat to have blue eyes. If the underlying coat pattern is one of a pointed cat (also referred to as a Siamese pattern), the blue eyes may come from the genetics of the pointed gene. A common misconception is that all white cats with blue eyes are deaf.[3] It is possible to have a cat with a naturally white coat without this gene, as an extreme form of white spotting, although this is rare – some small non-white patch usually remains.
See also
References
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ a b Observations on the Histological Features, Development and Pathogenesis of the Inner Ear Degeneration of the Deaf White Cat
- ^ A model for prelingual deafness, the congenitally deaf white cat –population statistics and degenerative changes
- ^ George M. Strain (2011). Deafness in Dogs and Cats. CABI. pp. 68. ISBN 978-1-84593-764-5.