Tom cat neutering problem

[Undercover-Elsa]

Hi Jan,

It's hard to say without more info, but while it could have been a simple nicked or inadequately sutured blood vessel, it's also possibly due to a bleeding disorder such as haemophilia, which can occur in British Shorthairs.

Was the tom blood tested for this prior to surgery? She needs to discuss the cause with her vet and if in doubt get the other tom tested first, for peace of mind. (especially if he's related, even if it's further down the generations in his pedigree)

I'd personally get the first tom tested too, if he's not been done, to know future risks and for further treatment if needed.

 

Elsa x

[Undercover-Elsa]

Hi Hightail,

It's present in some bloodlines, affecting males, but not widespread nor is it widely advertised by breeders, for obvious reasons...

This from catgenes.org:

HEMOPHILIA A and B: This sex-linked disease is characterized by prolonged bleeding after

injury or surgery, poor blood clotting and hematomas under the skin. Affected cats can survive if

care is taken to prevent injury. The B type is less severe than the A type.

Hemophilia A: Clotting Factor VIII deficiency leads to spontaneous bleeding or prolonged

clotting times. Mainly British Shorthairs are affected, but it has been reported in Siamese,

Persians and Himalayans. Control of bleeding episodes can be accomplished using

transfusions of clotting factors or whole blood from non-affected animals. These animals

should not be used in breeding programs.

Hemophilia B: Clotting Factor IX deficiency leads to spontaneous bleeding or to

prolonged clotting times. It is sex-linked (found on the X chromosome) so females can be

carriers, and males affected. Mainly British Shorthairs are affected, but it has been

reported in Siamese, Persians and Himalayans. Control of bleeding episodes can be

accomplished using transfusions of clotting factors or whole blood from non-affected

animals. These animals should not be used in breeding programs.

Elsa x

[Undercover-Elsa]

Very good point.

In the wild the natural selection process weeds out most health problems and related animals naturally move away to their own territories to avoid inbreeding

Sadly any human intervention by inbreeding to fix type in a breed, be it cats, dogs, birds or sweet peas, will also fix inherant problems along the way.

Responsible breeders do everything they can to avoid those problems by studying pedigrees, not breeding from affected animals or gene carriers and screening.

Hip dysplasia in shepherds (my breed) was rife in the late seventies. It still exists, but we instigated a screening system and many of us refused to breed from non X -Rayed stock, or from X Rayed stock with less than perfect hip scores, which resulted in a rapid improvement.

Anyone contemplating breeding pedigree animals, even if it's just for pets, should research and ask advice from breed clubs and experienced breeders first, especially if they intend to sell on the offspring.

[Undercover-Elsa]

I agree with Hightail re testing him anyway. Especially as they're related. The queens can carry it without symptoms but it comes out in the males. The breeder may be a good one but she may not even know, particularly if she's used a stud cat with a new bloodline, or combination of bloodlines not used before. If they tested positive she would certainly need to be informed for the sake of her breeding plans and other litter mates etc.

Hopefully it may not be anything more serious than a a one off slip by a cack handed vet, but better to be safe?

Elsa x