Page 118 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

102 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

are now Seal, Blue, Chocolate, Flame (red), and Lilac!
The oriental body shape has been used to develop other
breeds of cat like the multicolored Oriental Shorthair, the
solid colored Burmese, the Tonkinese that is somewhat
reminiscent of the old‐fashioned bodied Siamese or the
Balinese Torte Point (Figure 6.10). The other full breed
short hair cats are the Bengal, Korat, Russian Blue, British,
American, and Exotic Shorthairs.
Other shorthaired cats with rather unique coats are
the Devon, Cornish, and Selkirk Rex cats. They were
developed from spontaneous mutations of the hair coat.
Instead of a straight hair shaft it comes out curly or wavy.
These cats have an oriental body with large ears and
round eyes (Figure 6.11). Another spontaneous muta-
tion was used to develop the Scottish Fold; this cat’s
pinnas are folded over so that the ear canal is not acces-
sible (Figure 6.11).
FIGURE 6.9 Siamese cat. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under Medium hair-length purebreds include Birmans,
CC‐BY‐SA 2.0; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Two_Siam_ Angoras, Maine Coon cats, American Bobtail or Wirehair,
Seal_Point.jpg.
and the Turkish Van to name a few. These cats have hair
coats in multiple colors. The Maine Coon is the largest
cat and has very distinctive tuffs of hair on the ears and
between the toes, as well as a very impressive mane. They
often weigh in at 12–18 lb, are often 40 inches long and
10–13 inches tall (Figure 6.12).
The last group of cats are the longhairs. The most
popular of these and the most common is the Persian.
This is the second most manipulated cat breed in that its
face wasn’t always so very “pushed in” or classified as a
brachiocephalic face (Figure 6.13). Persians have a thick
double coat made up of dense, soft fur beneath long
guard hairs. The soft fur gets matted very easily and so
requires daily brushing to prevent these mats.
Unfortunately, many Persians are grumpy about this and
rarely sit still or enjoy the attention. So, we see them in
the veterinary clinic because there is a “hot spot” or bac-
terial infection under the mats. These areas must be
shaved in order to treat them and so often the client opts
to have the entire cat shaved.
The color point version of the Persian is called a
Himalayan. They have the color points on the head, tail,
and paws. Ragdolls are also a color point; however, they
have white markings, and the Norwegian Forest cat can
come in any color.
FIGURE 6.10 Balinese Torte Point. Source: Wikimedia Commons.
Used under CC‐BY‐SA 3.0; https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/
Learning Exercise
File:Balinese‐cat‐2.jpg.

point color pattern. In this case the medical record could Distinguishing cat breeds can be difficult. Utilize
indicate that the cat is a Siamese Cross. the internet to learn of any cat shows coming up
The Siamese cat is one of two cat breeds that have been in your area. If possible go to the show and visit
heavily manipulated by humans. Their original body style with the owners. Most will gladly allow photos if
was of a medium‐sized cat, with a round head and a coat you ask nicely and tell them why you are taking
color as described earlier. However, this cat underwent a them. Build a scrapbook or reference book with
transformation. A longer, leaner oriental body was devel- cat breeds.
oped, with a sharply triangular head and the color points