Albino Kitten???

[jadeelora]

So really I should know the answer to this as I am an experienced registered breeder but honestly this is something I have never come across, and my mentor also has no experience with this either.
I think one of my kittens is albino. Right at birth it was very snowy white, which is weird because white is usually more pink. This little boy is white as snow. He opened his eyes a few days ago and I'm sure they are red . Now when red shows up in a photo it means the kitten will have blue eyes. I've never seen red with the naked eye, only through a photo.
I'm not sure what this will mean. Is this going to be an otherwise healthy kitten? Will I be shuned by the Sphynx breeding world (it's a harsh one let me tell you!!). Can I ethically sell a kitten that has a "genetic flaw". Ugggg!!!!! So many questions and no answers.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@jadeelora Looking forward to pics! If it is albino, I would assume you will need to double protect from the sun. Here is thread @Xandria posted that you might find helpful. Experience with UV Window Film. I would also recommend putting cat trees away from direct sunlight in windows. I know that many white cats are deaf...so I am not sure if albinos are susceptible to this trait and if perhaps it is not albino it might be white, so see if you as a breeder are able to keep us in the loop with this it would be great. Deafness can be a challenge for some and different techniques are used to connect with these babies. I personally have seen pinkies are usually cream...white are definitely paler and less pink. I look forward to following your updates!


Patti

 

[Hairless Blessing]

I don't know why, you would, be shunned, as a breeder.
Especially, if, you, are a reputable breeder. Which, I'm sure, you are.
Albino, happens, in all animals. Very rare. I would think, it,
would be, worth, more money. As long as, it's healthy.
If it was mine, I, don't know, if, I, would sell it or not.
I think it's exciting. Share pics with us. Keep us updated,
about, this rare baby.

 

[GoldHazel]

@jadeelora Looking forward to pics! If it is albino, I would assume you will need to double protect from the sun. Here is thread @Xandria posted that you might find helpful. Experience with UV Window Film. I would also recommend putting cat trees away from direct sunlight in windows. I know that many white cats are deaf...so I am not sure if albinos are susceptible to this trait and if perhaps it is not albino it might be white, so see if breeder is able to keep you in the loop of this. Deafness can be a challenge for some and different techniques are used to connect with these babies. I personally have seen pinkies are usually cream...white are definitely paler and less pink. I look forward to following your updates!


Patti

@Catzzzmeow @jadeelora is the breeder.

I totally agree that the kitten must stay out of the sun. I'm not so sure if he should be sold to just anyone as he will need special care. There may be a strong possibility that the kitten is actually blind or will be nearly blind. I hope not. And I hope that he's not deaf on top of that. There is no reason why you would be or should be shunned for producing an albino. Please let us know what you find out about the kitten @jadeelora. Best of luck.

 

[GoldHazel]

@jadeelora I just read this:

Albino kittens are born with a lack of pigmentation. They have pale pink skin, white fur and pinkish red or light blue eyes. A white kitten with brown, green or golden eyes is not an albino. Albino cats are rare, totaling 2 percent of all felines. Exotic and beautiful, albinos are desired by pet lovers.

Health Considerations
Albino kittens have a likelihood of contracting certain immune system disorders. It is extremely important that your albino kitten receives his vaccinations on time to help prevent health problems. Albino cats and kittens should always be kept indoors. They are sunlight sensitive, making them susceptible to sunburn, skin cancers and damage to their eyes. Albino kittens are sometimes born deaf or blind. They adapt well with an indoor home and loving pet parents.

How Albinism Happens
A gene called TYR determines the presence of tyrosinase, an enzyme that must be present for the body to produce melanin. A kitten born with a missing or damaged TYR gene is an albino. His body can't produce melanin, the pigment that determines the color of eyes, fur and skin. The defective gene is recessive, meaning both parents must carry the defective gene to pass it on to their offspring.

Importance of Melanin
Melanin plays an important part in protecting animals from the sun's rays. It blocks the harmful rays while letting the beneficial rays through. Melanin is essential in developing some parts of the eyes, such as the irises, muscles, optic nerves and retinas. The lack of melanin causes problems with depth perception, tracking and focusing the eyes. An albino's eyes appear pink because the blood vessels can be seen through the colorless pupils.

Albinism in all Animals
Albinism appears in many species. Snow Bengals and Oriental breeds, including Siamese cats, are albinos. They are born white, developing color points as they grow. This is because more melanin is produced in the cooler parts of the body, which develop points of color. Siamese cats have light blue eyes, and some have poor vision. Albinism occurs in amphibians, birds, fish, insects, mollusks, reptiles and all mammals, including humans.

 

[Yoda mom]

@jadeelora , hoping you can share pics of baby kitty - what color are the parents?
Here is an older thread I found
hopefully @susi794 from twill chime in too - she mentions " thermal " kittens in the post
how rare are white sphynx

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of that link for " similar threads" that may be helpful

Keep us updated

 

[GoldHazel]

@jadeelora , hoping you can share pics of baby kitty - what color are the parents?
Here is an older thread I found
hopefully @susi794 from twill chime in too - she mentions " thermal " kittens in the post
how rare are white sphynx

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of that link for " similar threads" that may be helpful

Keep us updated

@Yoda mom my Liam and Grayson were considered thermals when they were born. They didn't have pink or red eyes ever. Went from blue to aqua.

 

[Catzzzmeow]

@GoldHazel I missed that point and edited my post...thanks.

 

[momdeeze]

One of my "pinkies" (red/white) had red eyes from birth. I wondered if she was albino too! Just turned out to have ice blue eyes.

 

[jadeelora]

Momdeeze , dis the eyes look pink when you looked at him, or just through photos?

 

[Hairless Blessing]

Momdeeze , dis the eyes look pink when you looked at him, or just through photos?

@momdeeze

 

[momdeeze]

Momdeeze , dis the eyes look pink when you looked at him, or just through photos?

Not really pink but they were definitely an odd reddish tint, especially in low light.

 

[Toa and Ross]

Maybe the vet can help you tell if the kitten is an albino?
I don't see why you would be shunned by other breeders. And if they do then it are horrible people. If I would get a child that is an albino, would other mothers shun me? Albino hasn't anything to do with being a good breeder/mother/person. The way you respond to having an albino cat says everything about what kind of person you are. And you are a good person by asking all the questions and trying to find out what the kitten needs.

 

[NinaGato]

If the kitten is albino it is...you didn't breed it on purpose. Give the kit the best life you can and maybe only place it with a sphynx experienced home.

 

[Shauna Amante]

I got an albino kitten as well in my recent litter.

 

[Jrs4]

@Shauna Amante sweet baby! please post more pictures of this beautiful baby as he/she? grows, I've never seen an albino kitten before. How do you know it's albino?

 

[Shauna Amante]

He has pink eyes and very light skin. Other breeders have confirmed he is a true albino. Just showed up out of nowhere. He is definitely a special boy. He will be hearing and vision tested but he already responds to sounds and seems to see good too. I will continue to post pics as he grows.

 

[nudieluvr]

I'm curious to see what pics will look like. It's a genetic mutation. So, I don't think you will be shunned for it as you had no control. However, I think it is your responsibly, if the cat is albino, to have him neutered.

 

[AngelRN]

Oh wow, how unique. I'm certainly interested to see her/him. I don't think you can control breeding an albino, the genes are probably super recessive, 1 in a million chance type thing. And being like that who would test for it if it is already so rare. I don't know anything about the breeding world but I think I understand your concern. It sounds like she is not ready for adoption for awhile to come if you are wanting to go that route. If you wind up wanting to place her , ( even if she has special needs) with breeder info kept sealed and private please contact me. /hugs

 

[Princess3185]

I got an albino kitten as well in my recent litter.

Hello I know this is an old post but I am hoping you might be able to offer me some advice. I recently found a litter of kittens with one that I believe to be albino. If the vet confirms that he is indeed I was curious if there was someway to ask for money when finding him a home since they are so rare. I was wondering if you ended up selling yours and had any advice on how to go about trying or worth. Really anything you might know could help. If you willing to talk to me my email [email protected] Thanks for your time

 

[Catzzzmeow]

Hello I know this is an old post but I am hoping you might be able to offer me some advice. I recently found a litter of kittens with one that I believe to be albino. If the vet confirms that he is indeed I was curious if there was someway to ask for money when finding him a home since they are so rare. I was wondering if you ended up selling yours and had any advice on how to go about trying or worth. Really anything you might know could help. If you willing to talk to me my email [email protected] Thanks for your time

There are lots of articles which are quite interesting on albino cats. There are different degrees of albinism. There is extra care involved for the owner having an albino cat, which could deter some from even wanting one in the long run so they might now want to spend more due to possibly needing more care. Being as Sphynx are hairless the chance of sunburn etc is even higher than a furry cat to boot.

Above is a snippet of some of the things that might be a challenge. When you go to place this kitten (if it really is albino) I’d be more concerned that the future owner is able to give proper care and understands the future there might be special needs. I would not pay more for one knowing the needs might be greater even things like tinting windows would be necessary due to sunburns and protecting their eyes.