The Sphynx cat is a breed of cat known for its lack of coat (fur). Hairlessness in cats is a naturally occurring genetic mutation; however, the Sphynx cat, as a breed, was developed through selective breeding. The Sphynx first appeared as a natural mutation in Canada in 1966. The first hairless male, Prune, was mated back to his mother, and some of their hairless kittens were exported to Europe, where they acquired the breed’s name.
Despite appearances they’re not completely naked and their skin has the texture of a peach – Sphynx should not be described as bald! They’re warm to the touch too! It really is difficult to judge or appreciate Sphynx just from photographs. What wins people over, beyond the appeal of the unusual, is their larger-than-life characters. It is possibly one of the most affectionate, sociable and intelligent cats in the world, they adore human attention and enjoy cuddles and games. They are outgoing, mischievous, people-orientated and loves attention. These cats often greet their owners when they come home and are very talkative. They are highly intelligent, playful and cuddly. They like to sleep with their owners – under the covers. Their body temperature is a degree or two above the average for normal cats and they have voracious appetites to compensate for the heat loss. With little protection against the elements, these cats cannot be left out in the cold, they don’t like to sit on cold surfaces and they do appreciate central heating! Those that do go outside in the sun may need sun protection on pale skin.
We know that because you care so much about your cat, you want to take great care of her. That is why we have summarized the health concerns we will be discussing with you over the life of your Sphynx. By knowing about the health concerns common among Sphynxes, we can help you tailor an individual preventive health plan and hopefully prevent some predictable risks in your pet.
Heart Disease: the sphinx is prone to cardiomyopathy which is the medical term for heart muscle disease, either a primary inherited condition or secondary to other diseases that damage the heart. The most common form, called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is a thickening of the heart muscle often caused by an overactive thyroid gland.
Blood Type: Just like people, individual cats have different blood types. Most domestic cats have type A blood, but purebred cats, like your Sphynx often have a different blood type, usually type B or very rarely, type AB.
Determining your cat’s blood type is essential before starting a transfusion, so knowing your cat’s type ahead of time can save crucial minutes. For more information regarding the blood typing please visit following link: https://www.bioguard.com.tw/en/project/feline-blood-typing-kit/
Alopecia: If you thought you were getting out of grooming chores by adopting a Sphynx cat, think again! Your sphynx Cat’s skin will build up a greasy grunge if left unbathed—and don’t forget the ears! The insides of the ears will get waxy and need to be cleaned periodically as well.
Urticaria Pigmentosa: There is a long list of diseases that can make your cat itch and break out in little red bumps. Allergies to food or to pollen, parasites like fleas or mites, fungal or bacterial infections, and even certain types of autoimmune diseases can all cause these general symptoms. But for your Sphynx, add urticaria pigmentosa to the list. The exact pathology of this itchy skin disease has not yet been fully discovered, but it appears to be passed on genetically, and is fairly common in some family bloodlines. With so many possibilities as the cause for apparently identical skin irritations, diagnostic testing is essential in order to narrow down treatment options.
Sources:
https://www.yourcat.co.uk/types-of-cats/sphynx-cat-breed-information/
https://chesapeakevetclinic.com/client-resources/breed-info/sphynx/
photo credit: https://www.freepik.com/premium-photo/hairless-canadian-sphynx-cat-with-bow-tie-isolated_6884985.htm
