Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: SophiasMum on November 19, 2007, 18:54:39 PM

Title: White Cats
Post by: SophiasMum on November 19, 2007, 18:54:39 PM
I was just wondering about white cats eyes because Casper is always getting stuff in his eyes like sleep or something and I am always cleaning it, Does anyone know how its caused and why?
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Ela on November 19, 2007, 19:00:22 PM
To be honest with you I have found no more of a problem with white cats than any other colour cat. Perhaps it is just that it is more noticeable on white cats.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: unseeliechylde on November 19, 2007, 19:02:16 PM
I'm not sure, but I know that white cats (and most white animals in general) are more likely to have poor eyesight, or to have eyes that are more photosensitive than pigmented animals. It means they experience "glare" at lower light levels, and they may be overproducing lachrymal secreations (the fluid that washes the eye) as a consequence - much as our eyes "water" if we accidentally look at the sun ora very bright light.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: SophiasMum on November 19, 2007, 19:02:30 PM
To be honest with you I have found no more of a problem with white cats than any other colour cat. Perhaps it is just that it is more noticeable on white cats.

To be honest thats what I was thinking but, I wanted to make sure. :shy:
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: CurlyCatz on November 19, 2007, 19:46:48 PM
You could post a pic of him to see what his face looks like, if he has deeper set eyesockets (like a siamese) that could also be the cause.

PS i have photosensitive eyes and its horrible, the odd thing is my worst time is when driving and there is plenty cloud cover  :Crazy:  I can only presume its because my pupils are dilated as it seems darker but infact the rays are still there and hit my eyes HORRIBLE  :(
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: unseeliechylde on November 19, 2007, 20:48:31 PM
oh Lynn - that sounds so uncomfortable! I had a friend at uni who had photosensitivity and night blindness - she just couldn't win!
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Gillian Harvey on November 19, 2007, 22:50:13 PM
I'm not sure, but I know that white cats (and most white animals in general) are more likely to have poor eyesight, or to have eyes that are more photosensitive than pigmented animals. It means they experience "glare" at lower light levels, and they may be overproducing lachrymal secreations (the fluid that washes the eye) as a consequence - much as our eyes "water" if we accidentally look at the sun ora very bright light.

Yes thats true - and not just with totally white cats -  I've seen it with my paler colourpoints - the redpoints and creampoint definitely have photosensitive eyes and produces more tears.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 19, 2007, 22:52:42 PM
Night blindness,,,,ummmmmmmm maybe I got that LOL

Frantas eyes seem to produce a lote of gunge and tears too, he has blue eyes as birmans do.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Ela on November 20, 2007, 08:28:36 AM
Quote
Yes thats true - and not just with totally white cats -  I've seen it with my paler colourpoints - the redpoints and creampoint definitely have photosensitive eyes and produces more tears.

Could that not be more to do with the breed than light colour.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Gillian Harvey on November 20, 2007, 11:38:13 AM
Could that not be more to do with the breed than light colour.

Persians do indeed produce more tears due to their distorted tear ducts, but it is known that the paler colourpoints  have this photosensivity - and this is obvious with my 2 redpoints and my creampoint. Its not a problem with my darker pointed persians - the blues, blue/creams and seal tabby.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Ela on November 20, 2007, 11:53:29 AM
Obviously when I replied I was talking about 'moggies' as that is what we tend to take in most of. I try to refer the numerous amount of pedigrees we are asked to take in to the specialist rescues.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 20, 2007, 16:37:42 PM
Freddy (Tonkenese)  gets dirty eyes and i  clean them everyday as i dont want him getting staining.
Funny enough none of my moggies get dirty eyes
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: CurlyCatz on November 20, 2007, 18:57:27 PM
I'd automatically assume that to be due to his eyesockets michelle in that type of breed.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: SophiasMum on November 20, 2007, 20:20:40 PM
You could post a pic of him to see what his face looks like, if he has deeper set eyesockets (like a siamese) that could also be the cause.

PS i have photosensitive eyes and its horrible, the odd thing is my worst time is when driving and there is plenty cloud cover  :Crazy:  I can only presume its because my pupils are dilated as it seems darker but infact the rays are still there and hit my eyes HORRIBLE  :(

ooooo I can imagine the soreness. :(
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 25, 2007, 12:11:18 PM
Just found this:

All colourpoint cats run a slightly higher risk of sight defects than full colour cats. This is because the enzyme that is needed to chemically produce pigment is faulty and doesn't work at body temperature. That same enzyme is also responsible for formation of the optic nerve in the foetus. Siamese cats have been found to have abnormally formed optic nerves, which is what can cause the tendency in that breed to be cross-eyed in those with a worse degree of optic nerve abnormality. The snow bengal colouring is caused by the same faulty enzyme. (Blue eyed cats are also at slightly higher risk of developing retinal atrophy and glaucoma due to the lack of pigment - again this is only a SLIGHT tendency.)

HOWEVER - this does not usually cause any noticeable problems with sight for the vast majority of colourpoint cats. At worst, it is usually a slight difference in depth perception, which is usually noticed by the individual having crossed eyes to compensate. It is very unusual for a colourpoint cat to have their sight affected in any noticeable way, as the brain learns to compensate when they first open their eyes and start to percieve the world.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 25, 2007, 12:18:14 PM
ohhhhhh desley was worried when i read that lol..have two pointed blue eyed cats lol
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on November 25, 2007, 12:19:21 PM
Sorry Gill, just thought it was interesting after what Gillian had posted.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 25, 2007, 12:21:01 PM
yes it was interesting but scary  ;D
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 25, 2007, 14:32:34 PM
Just found this:

(Blue eyed cats are also at slightly higher risk of developing retinal atrophy and glaucoma due to the lack of pigment - again this is only a SLIGHT tendency.)



Cheers Desley i found that whole article very interesting

As for Blue eyes - you cant get much bluer than Freddys !
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 25, 2007, 14:42:39 PM
They are gorgeous lookin peepers but blueeeeeee , try these  ;D

I have hardly any pics of his eyes blue cos they go red at the slightest light
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Team Svartalfheims on November 25, 2007, 14:46:47 PM
They are gorgeous lookin peepers but blueeeeeee , try these  ;D

I have hardly any pics of his eyes blue cos they go red at the slightest light

Oooooooo look at those gorgeous eyes! Give the cuddlebum a snuggly hug from me.
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Michelle (furbabystar) on November 25, 2007, 14:57:46 PM
They are gorgeous lookin peepers but blueeeeeee , try these  ;D

Ok you win  :evillaugh:

WOW they are  :Luv2:
Title: Re: White Cats
Post by: Gill (sneakiefeline) on November 25, 2007, 15:22:31 PM
i am cuddlin mr snugglebum as i type lottie, he now spends more time on my knee at puta than anywhere else  ;D