This document discusses cat breeds and health concerns. It begins by outlining major shorthaired and longhaired cat breeds, describing their characteristics. It then discusses selecting a healthy cat and considerations like temperament. Finally, it outlines major feline diseases like panleukopenia, herpes virus, calicivirus, leukemia, and rabies, as well as a suggested vaccination schedule. Grooming practices are also covered, including the need to groom longhaired cats daily.

1. Small Animal
Cats- Unit F

2. Competency 15.00
Use information specific to each
breed to choose the best cat for a
given use.

3. Cat Breeds
• Differ in color, patterns, length of
hair, shape and length of ears, shape
and color of eyes, head shape, body
conformation, size, and disposition
• For our discussions we will focus on
the two major types of hair:
– Shorthaired Breeds
– Longhaired Breeds

4. Objective 15.01
• Describe major shorthaired and
longhaired breeds of cats
Pictures courtesy of Google Images

5. Shorthair Breeds

6. Abyssinian
• Ruddy (orange-brown), red and blue,
all ticked with darker colors at tips of
each hair
• Medium sized
– Muscular cat
• Almond shaped eyes
• Very active
– Fond of water
– Can be taught to retrieve

7. Abyssinian

8. American Shorthair
(Domestic Shorthair)
• Came to US with English settlers
• 34 recognized color patterns
– tabby is the most common color
• Medium to large sized
• Affectionate
– makes great lap cat

9. American Shorthair
(Domestic Shorthair)

10. Bombay (1958)
• Relatively new breed resulting from
Burmese x American Shorthair
– Medium sized cat
– Jet black
– Copper or gold colored eyes
• Disposition
– Graceful, charming, and get along well
with others, even strangers

11. Bombay

12. British Shorthair
• Oldest Natural English breed
– Larger and taller than American Shorthair
– Large rounded head
– Big, round copper or gold eyes
– Quiet, easy going, docile nature
• likes to sleep a lot

13. British Shorthair

14. Burmese
• Originated in the Unites States
• 1930’s
• Cross between Siamese x Burma
– Medium-sized
– Sable-brown in color with gold eyes
– Good disposition, enjoy being held
• Can become bossy, stubborn, and
angry

15. Burmese

16. Cornish Rex
• Small to medium size
• Oval eyes and curves or rippling hair
coat
• Must be kept indoors
– lacks guard hairs to protect it from the
elements

17. Cornish Rex

18. Devon Rex
• Resulted from feral (wild) domestic
cat x cared-for stray
– Medium sized cat with wavy hair coat
– Large, wide-based ears are set low and
distinctive to this breed

19. Devon Rex

20. Japanese Bobtail
• Known for calico (tortoiseshell or 3
colors)
– Calico is some shade of black, orange
(red), and white.
• Distinctive short (bob) tail
– Is kinked to form a “pom” or “bunny tail”
• The tail is sensitive
– Care must be taken to prevent injury and
pain when handling the cat

21. Japanese Bobtail

22. Korat
• Highly prized, rare cat of Thailand
– Protective of family members, and
reserved with strangers
• Medium-sized cat
– Silver blue fur tipped with silver
• Produces a halo effect

23. Korat

24. Manx
• Among earliest European breeds
– result of a genetic mutation
• Medium-sized
– affectionate cat
– tends to be better in one-to-one relationships
• The BEST show Manx cats do not have a tail
(rumpy)
– others have a short tail (stumpy)
– some have a long tail (longy)

25. Manx

26. Siamese
• Known for one-on-one devotion to
one person
• Eye color is always deep blue
• Head forms an equilateral triangle
from the nose to the tips of the ears
– Very little pigmentation in color pattern
– Pigmentation is darker at the points
– Color is restricted to the points: mask,
ear, foot and tip of tail

27. Siamese
• Medium-sized
– very long and refined
• Siamese cats are very unpredictable;
however, they are described as talkative,
loyal
• Fearless cats of extraordinary intelligence.
• Siamese cats are particularly sensitive to
vaccinations and anesthetics

28. Siamese

29. Singapura
• Small breed
• Known for its’ quiet, shy disposition
• Males weigh at most 6 pounds
• Females usually weigh less than 4
pounds

30. Singapura

31. Snowshoe Breed
• Medium to large size
– Similar to American Shorthair
• white feet
– Bright blue eyes are large, oval
– Ears are large and broad at base
– Wedgeshaped head
• The mask, tail, ears, and legs are usually
defined seal or blue with the masking colors
covering the entire face, except for inverted
white V-shaped pattern over mouth and
nose

32. Snowshoe Breed

33. Sphynx
• Canadian origin in the late 1960’s
• Known for its tough, wrinkled hairless skin
• Indoor cat
– cannot survive outdoors
– depends upon people for survival
– Constantly purrs
• Adores body contact and is very affectionate
• Normal body temperature is 4°F higher than
most other breeds
– unable to store body fat
– must eat more frequently to maintain its body
temperature

34. Sphynx

35. Longhair Breeds

36. Balinese and Javanese
• Body style of Siamese
• Warm
• Vocal
• Persistent
• Eyes are deep vivid blue

37. Balinese and Javanese

38. Birman
• Sturdy cat of medium to large size
• Long, silky coat that does not mat
– requires little care
• Very sociable
– needs the company of others
• White paws
– Eyes are round
– Ears are medium with rounded tips

39. Birman

40. Cymric Longhaired Manx
• Alert and sweet natured
• Excellent with other pets and children
• Large cat that is tailless

41. Cymric Longhaired Manx

42. Himalayan and Kashmir
• (Siamese x Persian x Birman)
• Medium to large size
• Persian type cat
• Long, flowing hair coat with Siamese
patterns

43. Himalayan and Kashmir

44. Maine Coon
• Oldest natural breed in North America
– native American origin
• Large-sized
– reaches 12 -18 pounds
• Brown tabby is the best known color
• Lovable and friendly
– has a tiny voice that squeaks and chirps

45. Maine Coon

46. Persian
• One of the oldest and most popular breeds
• Medium to large size
– short, compact body
– large head
– small rounded ears
• Well mannered
– easy going
– quiet cats
• Make good apartment cats and excellent companions
• Require daily grooming
– removes and knots
• Requires regular bathing
– removes excess oil from the coat

47. Persian

48. Ragdoll
• Originated in the US during the
1960’s
• Exceptionally large
• Heavy breed
• Blue eyes
• Docile, quiet, and composed
– named because they show little signs of
fear or pain
– take a floppy posture when handled

49. Ragdoll

50. Tiffany
• Himalayan x Burmese
• Medium size
• Oriental style
– essentially a long-haired Burmese
• Follows owner like a puppy
• Few exist in the United States

51. Tiffany

52. Turkish Angora
• Small to medium-sized cat
• Polite
• Intelligent
– very responsive
– easily trained to perform tricks
• Prefers a clean, almost spotless
environment

53. Turkish Angora

54. Objective 15.02
• Select a cat based on qualifying
characteristics

55. Selecting a Pet Cat
The Cat vs. The Dog
• Requires less care
– independent nature
• Lower feeding cost
– smaller
• Initial purchase price is less

56. Qualities to consider
• Adult cats are better for elderly or
busy owners
• Kittens adapt quickly
• Females reach sexual maturity at 5
months
– estrus cycle every three weeks
• Friendly affectionate pets
– “they don’t usually kill or injure small
children”

57. Qualities to consider
• Pedigree animals have certain
characteristics
– most cats are mixed breeds
• Long haired breeds require frequent
grooming
– require air conditioned facilities
• Mixed breeds are cheaper to
purchase.

58. Choosing a healthy cat
1. Look for signs of health
– Pale pink gums
– White teeth
– Nose should be cool and slightly damp
– Clean glossy coat
– Free of mats

59. Proper teeth cleaning can prevent
the absorption of toxins and
bacteria present in the mouth
which can damage internal organs.

60. Most veterinarians can clean teeth and
do so regularly for most cat owners

61. Choosing a healthy cat
2. Look for signs of illness
– Discharge from the eyes or nose
– Buildup of wax in the ears
• ear mites
– External Parasites
• Fleas
– Internal Parasites
• Potbellied cats may indicate worm
infestation

62. Competency 16.00
Use techniques that improve the
well being of cats.

63. Objective 16.01
• Discuss grooming practices for cats

64. Grooming Cats
• Removes old and dead hair
• Provides opportunity to check for:
– Parasites
– Skin disorders
– Eye problems
– Ear problems

65. Longhaired Cats
• Need daily care to keep free of tangles and
mat.
• Equipment
– Combs
– Blunt end scissors
– Nail clippers
– Grooming brush
– Grooming powder

66. Grooming Longhaired Cats
• Procedures for longhair cats
– 1st-Use a wide tooth comb for animal
– 2nd- Use a small toothed comb
– Once all tangles are out, brush hair in
opposite direction of growth occasionally
and sprinkle grooming powder
• This removes old hair and reduces
hairballs.
– Check for parasites, skin disorders, eye
and ear problems

67. Longhair Grooming
• Comb with two sizes of teeth (fine
toothed and a flea comb).
• Nail Clippers
• Grooming brush natural bristles
(nylon causes static)
• Grooming powder such as baby
powder, talcum, or cornstarch.

68. Shorthair Grooming
• Rubber grooming brush
• Fine-toothed/ flea comb
• Soft chamois, silk, nylon pad
• Rubber grooming brush
– Avoid removing good hair

69. Flea Combs

70. Bathing Cats
1. Start bathing as early as 4 months
2. Avoid splashing or running water when cat
is present
3. Use ~4 inches of warm water
4. Gently lower cat into the water until the
entire cat is wet
5. Keep water our of eyes and ears
6. Apply a baby shampoo to the wet coat,
lather and rinse
• Medicated shampoo for fleas
7. Towel dry or use a hairdryer

71. Other Grooming
• Check teeth and gums
– Dry food helps to clean the teeth
• Check for ear mites
– Dark, crumbly wax indicates mites
– Use ear drops to treat
• Used special clippers to trim claws
– Do not cut into pink area of claw, it will
bleed
– Scratching post helps to reduce claw
trimming

72. Objective 16.02
• Describe major health concerns for
cats.

73. Diseases
• Infectious
– Cat Distemper (FPV)
– Feline herpes virus (FHV)
– Feline calicivirus (FCV)
– Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
– Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
– Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
– Feline Enteric Corona virus (FECV)
– Rabies

74. Feline Panleukopenia
(FPV)
• Feline distemper
– caused by a parvo virus or DNA virus
– Abnormally low white blood cell count
– Affects young cats
– 75% death rate
• Spread by direct contact but also
from food and water, bedding, litter
boxes, etc.

75. Feline Panleukopenia
(FPV)
• Symptoms:
– Depression
– loss of appetite
– high fever
– lethargy
– vomiting
– diarrhea
– dehydration

76. Feline herpes virus (FHV)
• Caused by respiratory virus infection
– Shed in discharges from the nose, eyes,
throat
– transmitted through direct contact
• Can remain dormant for years

77. Feline herpes virus (FHV)
• Symptoms
– depression
– sneezing
– coughing
– severe eye and nasal discharges
– increase in temperature

78. Feline Rhinotracheitis
(FVR)
• Widespread disease
• Caused by the Herpes virus infection
– confined to the upper respiratory tract
• Symptoms:
– sneezing
– discharges from eyes and nasal passages.

79. Feline Rhinotracheitis
(FVR)

80. Feline Calicivirus (FCV)
• Respiratory virus infection
• Discharges from the nose, eyes,
throat
– transmitted from direct contact.
• Symptoms- Depression, sneezing,
coughing, severe eye and nasal
discharges with an increase in
temperature

81. Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
• Severely limits the cat’s immune systems
– virus is excreted primarily in the cat’s salivary
excretions
– also present in respiratory, fecal and urine
secretions
• Spread through direct contact and by
sharing litter, food, water, etc.
• Symptoms:
– low grade fever, vomiting, soft or watery
diarrhea, blood in the feces and dehydration

82. Feline Enteris Corona virus
(FECV)
• Ingestion of contaminated feces in
kittens between four and twelve
weeks of age.
• Symptoms: low grade fever,
vomiting, soft or watery diarrhea,
blood in the feces and dehydration.

83. Feline Infectious
Peritonitis virus (FIP)
• FIP occurs when FECV mutates
• Affect those with weak immune
systems
• Leads to organ failure
• Symptoms:
– fever
– loss of appetite
– depression
– weight loss

84. Rabies
• Fatal viral disease
• Spread by the saliva of an infected
warm blooded animal
• Cat become highly agitated and
possibly aggressive

85. Cat Disease Review
• Feline panleukopenia
– Cat Distemper (FPV) Low White Cell Count and
high death rate
• Feline herpes virus (FHV)
• Feline calicivirus (FCV) Respiratory
• Feline Rhinotracheitis (FVR)
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV)
• Feline Enteric Corona virus (FECV)
• Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
• Rabies

86. Suggested Feline Vaccination
Schedule
• 5 Weeks
– Panleukopenia (distemper)-Killed,
Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus
• 9 Weeks
– Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis,
Calicivirus, Chlamydia, Leukemia

87. Suggested Feline Vaccination
Schedule
• 12 to 15 Weeks*
– Panleukopenia, Rhinotracheitis,
Calicivirus, Chlamydia, Leukemia
• 16 to 19 Weeks*
– Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Ringworm,
First rabies
*Follow label directions for booster
shots

88. Diseases
• Non-infectious
– Feline Urological syndrome (fus)
– Entropion
– Wet eye

89. Noninfectious
• Entropion
– eyeball sinks into socket and the eyelid
spasms with discomfort.

90. Noninfectious
• Wet Eye
– excessive tear production
– blockage of drainage canal causing the
tears to overflow at the inner corner of
the eyes

91. Feline Urologic syndrome (fus)
• A feline urinary
tract disease also
referred to as
FLUTD
• May range from
mild inflammation
to blockage of the
urethra
• uremic poisoning
and death can
occur

92. Internal Parasites
• Toxoplasmosis- prtozoan parasite
Toxoplasm gondii infection
• Ascarids-Toxocara cati
• Hookworm-Ancylostoma tubaeforme
• Tapeworm-Dipylidium caninum

93. External Parasites
• Lice- Felicola subrostratus
• Mites-denidex cati
• Feline Scabies-Notoedres cati
• Feline Mites-ear mites, walking
dandruff mites, chiggers, fleas and
ticks.

94. Fungal Diseases and Poisonings
• Cats and dogs share the same
concerns for fungal diseases and
poisonings
– Insecticides
– Plants
– Household cleaners
– Rodenticides
– Antifreeze