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Neutering kittens between 6 and 14 weeks of age has been labeled "early." Both early neutering and the more traditional time for neutering (5 to 8 months) of age are considered prepuberal. The following notes will summarize the effects on kittens that are neutered "early," and provide references for additional information. 

IINDICATION FOR AN EARLY NEUTER PROGRAM:

The major indication for early neutering of kittens and puppies is pet overpopulation. It is well documented that many small animals that leave animal shelters without being neutered will contribute to pet overpopulation, and despite the good intentions of many pet owners the result of their pet's amorous behavior may end up without the good fortune of "Lady and the Tramp." Neutering puppies and kittens before they leave the animal shelter is an effective method of assuring that those animals do not participate in the pet overpopulation problem. It has been calculated that to find a home for all stray cats in the United States each family would need to have 22 cats! 

Should veterinarians do early neutering in their veterinary hospitals? This is a question that is likely up to the individual veterinarian. Most sterilization procedures performed at veterinary hospitals are elective procedures requested by the pets' owner. Hospitalization of healthy small animals does potentially expose them to contagious pathogens of other ill or hospitalized animals that may be shedding virus. Some veterinarians recommend to individual clients that their animals be neutered after they complete their series of immunizations so the puppy or kitten is inununocompetant and has been immunized against the more common diseases that may be contacted at the veterinary hospital. Since reproductive capability can occur as early as 4 months in the cat and 6 months in the dos it is important to neuter prepuberally. The situation at a veterinary hospital differs slightly from the animal shelter because the clients of a veterinary hospital are for the most part compliant and will return periodically over several visits, whereas the person that leaves the shelter may not go back to get the pet neutered even if a deposit is left to pay for neutering the animal at a later date. Certainly "early" sterilization can be done in private veterinary practices, but it is probably more important for us as practitioners to support the local humane associations and animal shelters by supporting their efforts in early neutering programs, both by consultation with the public about its safety and by donating our time periodically to assist with surgical sterilizations. 

Concerns previously stated regarding "early" neutering of puppies and kittens:

Experimental studies and prospective clinical studies thus far have not evidence to support the presence of the aforementioned concerns, and in fact have shown that many of them are really unfounded. For the most part, most information accumulated to date shows that early neutering of puppies or kittens affects physical and skeletal development, behavior, and urethral function similar to gonadectomy performed at more traditional times. 

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CLINICAL AND RESEARCH INFORMATION:

Research at the University of Florida has compared puppies and kittens neutered early (7 weeks) from those neutered prepuberally but later (7 months) to those that remained surgically intact: 

* Growth plate closure:  Both groups of puppies and kittens neutered prepuberally had delayed physeal closure compared to the intact control animals. Longer radial and ulnar length was significantly different in male puppies neutered at both ages and in female puppie neutered at 7 weeks. The differences were similar but not significant in kitten. Gonadal hormone, facilitate maturation of physeal cartilage. Early neutering does not stunt growth but actually may result in increased long bone length because the absence of gonadal hormones and the resultant delayed physeal closure. Some veterinarians have suggested that early neutering will predispose to physeal fractures (fractures through the growth plates), however neutering at the usual time is also prepuberal and delays physeal closure. 

* Growth rate:  No effect noted 

* Food intake:  No effect noted 

* Back fat depth:  No effect noted 

* Body fat and weight:  Neutered cats were similar in this category but sexually intact cats weighed less and had less body fat. 

* Urethral function:  Urethral pressure profilometry showed no adverse effects. Male cats neutered at 7 weeks, at 7 months and the sexually intact cats had similar urethral diameters at the end of the study. 

* External genitalia:  In dogs, the external genitalia of the "early" neutered animals were infantile. No problems with perivulvar dermatitis or vaginitis were noted. In cats, the external genitalia of the "early" neutered kittens were also infantile however, the problems with separation of the balanoprepucial folds noted in earlier literature was not evident. The penis in each cat could be exteriorized indicating the balanoprepucial fold had separated. 

* Behavior:  Lethargy was not seen in any neutered group. The sexually intact cats showed greater aggression and fewer "demonstrations of affection." 

CLINICAL EXPERIENCE WITH "EARLY" NEUTERING:

The greatest number of puppies and kittens undergoing "early" neutering has been reported by the Massachusetts SPCA. Gonadectomies performed on 350 six to 14 week old dogs and cats were done without serious complications or mortality, similar to the experience with the experience at the University of Florida with a smaller number of research animals. In another study of cats neutered at 6 to 12 weeks of age only 3% were reported by their owners to spray intermittently. Impaired immunocompetence remains a question to be addressed completely, at least scientifically, but it seems the ever increasing number of puppies and kittens that are being neutered at an "early" age without apparent consequence provides support for those that believe there is no untoward effect on the maturing immune system that is expressed clinically. 

ANESTHESIA FOR THE PEDIATRIC PATIENT:

There are several techniques for accomplishing general anesthesia in pediatric patients, but there are special considerations that should receive the attention of the anesthetist. Drug distribution, absorption, metabolism, and excretion may differ in neonates because of physiologic differences in the cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatorenal, and thermoregulatory systems in comparison to adult small animals. 

* General:  Neonatal puppies and kittens have different body constituents than their adult counterparts. A greater percentage of total body water, lower albumin levels (< 4 weeks old), lower body fat amounts, and a higher cardiac output to organs which are vessel rich affect drug pharmacokinetics. In general, neonates will be more sensitive to drugs that are highly protein bound because more of the drug is unbound. Parenterally administered anesthetic agents are given at reduced dosages as a result. Drugs that depend on redistribution to body fat will have prolonged effects if they are repeatedly administered. Puppies and kittens also have a higher surface area to body weight ratio which results in greater heat loss from radiation and evaporation. This also predisposes them to hypothermia which can result in bradycardia, low cardiac output and hypotension, in addition to prolonging drug elimination. Young animals have an immature thermoregulatory system and are unable to shiver. 

* Hepatic system:  Hepatic enzyme systems in pediatric patients are immature therefore metabolism of drugs degraded by these systems is impaired, and hence if an anesthetic agent the duration of action will be prolonged. Hepatic glycogen stores in puppies and kittens is minimal and may quickly decrease during fasting prior to surgery ( to 31% of levels at birth in 24 hours). A lack of mature feedback mechanisms also make blood glucose levels more difficult to regulate. Glucose containing fluids are administered when anesthesia is to occur for one or more hours. 

* Renal:  Pediatric patients have incompletely developed glomerular filtration (matures between 2 and 3 weeks of age) and renal tubular function (matures between 4 and 8 weeks), a characteristic that may delay renal excretion of specific drugs. Puppies and kittens cannot concentrate urine as well as adults until they are 6 to 8 weeks old. This is one reason they have greater fluid requirements relative to their body mass in comparison to adult animals. In addition, puppies and kittens lose more water by insensible mechanisms and are more sensitive to water restriction, i.e., they dehydrate more quickly. We do not withhold water from any patient prior to anesthesia but it is particularly important for puppies and kittens that they have access to water until they are brought to the prep room for anesthesia. 

* Cardiovasozlar system:  In neonates, cardiac output is predominantly rate dependent and baroresponse to changes in pressure are immature (Immature sympathetic innervation). Hypotension and bradycardia (a mature parasympathetic innervation may produce bradycardia, less than 150 beats per minute) should be avoided. Mean arterial blood pressure in the pediatric patient increases by six weeks of age but is not up to adult ranges for several months. Because ventricles are less compliant in pediatric patient cardiac output is less responsive to increasing the rate of fluid administration (volume loading). 

* Respiratory system:  Neonates have a higher rate of oxygen consumption (2 to 3 times an adult) and therefore have a slightly higher respiratory rate. Tidal volume is similar to an adult by four weeks of age. Anesthetic depression and hypoventilation may have a more pronounced affect in a pediatric patient. Induction of anesthesia and recovery from anesthesia by inhaled gases is more rapid because of high alveolar ventilation in pediatric animals. Very young patients also have very a compliant thorax that may collapse during inspiration. This makes it difficult for the neonate to overcome hypoventilation on its own and careful ventilation assistance should be provided by gentle intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Puppies and kittens over 4 weeks old can spontaneously ventilate, but an occasional assisted breath can aid prevention of atelectasis just as in the adult patient. 

 

ANESTHESIC TECHNIQUES FOR THE PEDIATRIC PATIENT:

Preanesthetic drugs

* Atropine:  0.02 to 0.04 mg/kg IM, SQ, or IV 

* Glycopyrrolate:  0.01 mg/kg IM, SQ, or IV 

* Given to stabilize heart rate (above 140 beats per minute) and cardiac output (rate dependent) and to decrease respiratory secretions 

* At the University of Florida, these are not routinely administered but are use on an individual basis. Some anesthesiologists feel they are necessary. 

* Anticholinergics may not be efficacious in puppies and kittens less than 2 weeks of age because of autonomic nervous system immaturity. 

Note: Xylazine and phenothiazine tranquilizers are avoided in young animals (< 3 months of age) because of the potential to cause bradycardia, and hypotension. 

General anesthesia

* Mask induction - Most young animals will tolerate application of a mask, and for short procedures such as orchidectomy a mask is oi~en all that is required. 

* Isoflurane - This inhalant is particularly well suited for the pediatric patient because of its low solubility and therefore rapid inductions and recoveries. It also requires less metabolism and depresses the cardiovascular system less than halothane. 

* Halothane - This inhalant is can also be used very effectively but isoflurane has advantages if available. 

* Endotracheal intubation - A Cole or MagiIl tube has been recommended in kittens (2.0 to 3.5mm). Avoid airway trauma by gentle intubation and suctioning of the tube is recommended every 30 minutes to remove airway secretions that can impair ventilation with when small tube diameters are used. Be certain the tube is not to long so dead space is minimized and endobronchial intubation is avoided. 

* Nonrebreathing circuit is mandatory for patients less than 5 kg. 

* Ayre's T-piece, Norman elbow, or Bain circuit 

* Fresh gas flow rates of 200ml/kg/minute are recommended. 

Injectable Anesthesia for Induction or short procedures (Kittens and Puppies)

* Tiletamine/zolazpam (Telazol(r)) 
Orchidectomy: 11mg/kg IM or 2 to 4 ml/kg IV with supplementation by mask if necessary. 

* Midazolan/ketamine 
Use 0.22 mg/kg of midazolam and 11 mg/kg of ketamine, followed by intubation and administration of an inhalant anesthetic. 

* Diazepan/Ketamine 
Use 0.2 mg/kg of diazepam, and 5 to 7 mg/kg of ketamine for induction and mask with an inhalant anesthetic 

* Propofol (Diprovan(r)) 
Rapid smooth induction (behaves similar to short acting barbiturates, but has less hangover and is not cumulative) 

* 4 to 6 mg/kg IV, following premedications 

* 8 to 12 mg/kg IV, if used as the sole agent 

* Opioids 
If used, anticholinergics should be given to prevent the tendency of opioids to induce bradycardia. Inject slowly IV to avoid excitement. 

* Oxymorphone - 0.025 mg/kg, IM, SQ, or slowly IV 
May cause excitement in kittens 

* Butorphanol - 0.025 to 0.05 mg/kg IM, SQ, or slowly IV 
Does not cause excitement in kittens 

Note: Barbiturates are not routinely used because their pharmacokinetics are affected by low body fat and protein binding (at least 50% bound) in particular and they require hepatic biotransformation, although the author has used them in very young animals at very reduced doses effectively. 

SUPPORTIVE MEASURES DURING ANESTHESIA:

Maintain body temperature:

* Circulating warm water blankets 

* Avoid soaking the puppy or kitten during surgical preparation. Avoid alcohol containing skin disinfectants. Keep the animal as dry as possible. Hair clipping is minimized but adequate for aseptic technique. 

* Use insulating materials around the animal such as warmed water pads, or bubble packs around parts of the body outside the surgical field. 

* Warm operating room 

* Warm intravenous fluids and lavage fluids 

* Have the surgical team ready so unnecessary delays do not occur between prepping and draping. 

* Rectal or esophageal temperature probe 

Esophageal stethoscope (12 gauge or 18 gauge) 

Monitor blood pressure/oxygen saturation:

* Doppler ultrasound device 

* Pulse oximetry 

Electrocardiograpkic monitoring

Cardiovascular support:

* Indwelling catheterAbysAre1klcs 

* Jugular vein, sometimes a peripheral vein can be used. 
Avoid overhydration 
Rate = 4 to 10 mi/kg/minute 

* Intraosseous route if a vein cannot be accessed. An 18 or 20 gauge needle is inserted into the intrameduallary region of the humerus (greater tubercle) or femur (intertrochanteric fossa). Flow rates as high as 11 ml/minute with gravity flow. Routine catheter care is indicated with removal in 72 hours. 

* Monitor blood glucose 

SURGICAL PROCEDURES FOR EARLY NEUTERING:

Ovariohysterectomy:  For 6 to 14 week old puppies and kittens the surgical approach is very similar to ovariohysterectomy in a 6 month old puppy or kitten. Some clear abdominal fluid may be encountered, and much less abdominal fat is present making identification of the ovaries very easy. The vascular pedicles are tiny rnaking ligation very simple but this isn't taken for granted as the blood volume of these little patients is small too (figure about 40 ml per pound body weight). Simple ligation using 4-0 chromic gut suture or small hemoclips is satisfactory for hemostasis. Closure of the abdominal wound may be done with absorbable or nonabsorbable suture in a simple interrupted or continuous pattern. Closure of the subcutaneous tissue plane and the skin is up to the surgeon but either skin sutures or buried subcuticular patterns may be used. 

Orchidectomy:  In kittens, the testicle are completely descended into the scrotum at birth. In puppies the process of testicular descent into the scrotum is completed after birth, and is normally finished by 7 to 10 days after birth. Therefore if the testicles are not in the scrotum by 5 to 7 weeks of age it should be designated as undescended. "Early" neutering should be possible as early as 6 weeks of age. 

In 6 to 14 week-old kittens orchidectomy is accomplished in a very similar fashion as for their older counterparts. The major difference is size. The techniques used in adult cats also pertain to the 6 week old kittens and include both closed and open methods. The scrotal incisions heal by second intention. 

In 6 to 14 week-old puppies orchidectomy is done by a scrotal incision rather than a prescrotal incision so the procedure resembles that of the kittens. Similar ligation techniques may be used for puppies. The scrotal incisions in puppies have been closed primarily or 1eft to heal by second intention and both methods have been reported as satisfactory

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Several questions continue to arise regarding our work with Maine Coon cats and the incidence of hip dysplasia (HD) at the University of Pennsylvania. My interest in HD began when I was presented with an article from the Scratch Sheet in which OFA reported an incidence of HD in the Maine Coon cats of approximately 24 %. 

This seemed rather high, as HD in cats is not a common complaint in the orthopedic clinics of veterinary hospitals. Knowing the limitations of the OFA (subjective scoring system and elective/ voluntary submission of films thus biasing the results toward normalcy), I along with others at the University of Pennsylvania set out to evaluate Maine Coon hips using OFA and PennHIP methods. 

Any Maine Coon cat that wished to be apart of the study was welcome. Yes, many of the cats were related- we also tried to get all related cats in an effort to determine the heritability of HD and blood collected for the Feline Genome Project. We had cats from many different lines (Connecticut, New York, Long Island, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Florida, Texas) Tm probably forgetting a few.

Yes, I know some of these cats travel, but trying to link these cats together have been tried and found to be very difficult, i.e. a diverse population was ultimately studied. Yes, some cats were related to similar lines, say Long Island-Florida-Texas. However, the Pennsylvania lines had no linkage to the LI-FL-TX. The Connecticut lines had links to another NY line but not LI.

One of the TX lines was unrelated to all others. The Virginia lines were unrelated to all, and the NJ lines had some ties to Conn. What Iâ? Tm trying to say is, I tried to get a random sample (a sample in which all possible samples have equal probability of selection). 

However, like all studies due to the geographic of the primary center of study, limitations of time and money (all from private donations/ contributions), and affiliations, I was unable to study the entire Maine Coon population. Most medical studies (human and veterinary) have similar limitations in scope, but these studies allow us to make conclusions. In this case, the conclusion was based on the 140 some odd Maine Coon cats studied. This conclusion, while may not be completely representative of the Maine Coon population as a whole gives us as 
researchers a starting point. The previous OFAâ?Ts numbers revealed an approximately 24% incidence of HD. On the other hand, the group of cats evaluated in our study revealed 45.7% dysplastic. 

Again, cats in our study were evaluated using OFA scores- all cats studied had their films
submitted to the OFA for their evaluation. Why the big difference? Is it the population that was sampled? More likely, a lot of dysplastic cats whose films were taken and reviewed by the veterinarian did not have their films submitted to the OFA for evaluation in the original OFA publication. Why would I want to spend $30.00 to have my films evaluated when they are obviously dysplastic?

Again, this is in contrast to PennHIP and our study design. All cats evaluated regardless of findings must have their films submitted (PennHIP policy is mandatory submission of all dogs or cats evaluated). This gives us a more accurate representation of the population under study and indirectly the population as a whole. Does this mean the samples were both non randomized? Or the OFA sample more- non-randomized? Remember, the OFA numbers previously published in my opinion are less representative of the Maine Coon population as a whole than our finding due to the voluntary submission policy of the OFA. This question may not be answered, but it leads to more questions, thus more study, thus more answers (hopefully!) 

An interesting thought to consider, have you ever wondered why you hear on TV that a group of researchers found that? Thats was better for your health and then some time later another group of researchers say? This is better? That is how research and statistics work. You must scrutinize the study, its premise/ foundation and selection criteria. Yes, it is a function of your population under study. But, any result that is validated by strict research guidelines is sound and deserves further review. One of the most gratifying feelings as a researcher is when your study is repeated by another group of researchers and found to be good science. This is the case with Dr. Smith and the PennHIP method (in dogs). Four independent research groups unrelated to the University of Pennsylvania and PennHIP have come to the same conclusion as Dr. Smithâ?Ts research. This is due to the strict scientific foundation of the PennHIP method and its objective, repeatable, and reliable basis.

The conclusion of our study was that a higher percentage of Maine Coon cats had HD than previously believed based on the OFA score. The PennHIP method is an objective, reliable, and repeatable means of evaluating the hips in dogs and cats using three radiographic views. The DI (or distraction index) is a measurement of passive hip laxity as calculated from a stress radiographic view. Hip laxity has been shown in humans and dogs to be the primary risk factor for the development of degenerative joint disease of the hip joint. 

We believe the same is true in cats. PennHIP does not pass or fail pets? This hip status; however, it does provide an objective measure of hip laxity from which a breeder may choose his or her breeding stock. Tighter hips are better hips. PennHIP recommends that you choose from the tighter half of the population; therefore, eliminating the loose hipped cats and thus the cats at risk for developing HD. We know breeding tight to tight-hipped dogs will produce tight-hipped puppies and loose to loose will produce loose puppies. 

These loose puppies or kittens are at risk for the development of HD. At risk as in a person with a cholesterol level of 300 is more at risk for developing heart disease than a person whose cholesterol is 150. Yes, there are other factors involved in HD and heart disease. These factors are called environmental factors. In dogs for example, we know that fatter puppies are more at risk for developing clinical and radiographic signs of HD versus thinner puppies. Therefore, with a known DI and a change in the environment, we can produce offspring with a lower chance of developing HD. At risk does not guarantee he or she will develop HD but genetically may pass that risk onto their offspring. And depending on the other parent may amplify that negative risk factor. Yes, cats with HD are often clinically normal.

Unfortunately cats cannot speak for themselves. Radiographically they may have severe HD and not show signs. Is this a factor of their size, agility, or tolerance to degenerative joint disease/ pain? I do not know and probably never will know until a cat tells me, but I suspect they do feel arthritic pain, and it negatively affects function, and if they were non domesticated cats they would likely have succumb to a predator (survival of the fittest).

These are some of my thoughts based on our research:

* HD in cats is more common than previously believed. 

* PennHIP gives more objective information regarding the status of the hip joint and can be used as an aide in tailoring ones breeding program with the goal of tightening hips; therefore, decreasing radiographic HD (aide: used in conjunction with other breed traits that the individual possesses; structure, size, ears, eyes, etc). 

*How do I (Dr.TM) evaluate cat hips? that is a loaded questions! First I look at the hip extended ventrodorsal radiograph for conformation. I do not read shallow acetabulum. If the hips are subluxated (loose) then optically the acetabulum appears prominently shallow. The acetabulum in these cats at surgery looks no different (depth-wise) than a tighter looking cats hips.

The tighter hipped cats on radiographs look deep because of the radiographic phenomenon called superimposition. You place two bones on top of one another and the sum of their overlapping parts makes your eye focus at that point (it looks brighter). Thus, it looks deep. Don't be confused. Then over the next two weeks the PennHIP results are finalized. I look at the DI in relation to the breed as a whole. I like the tighter hipped cats because they are less at risk. If I have a loosed hipped cat that conformationally is sound with no degenerative joint disease that I really want to breed, then I pick a mate whose DI is as tight as possible. Thus maintaining the desirable breed characteristics of the loose hipped cat while diluting the bad genes for loose hips with the tighter hipped mate. So, simple
enough!?! 

Not so. This comes from looking at hundreds of Maine Coon hips and even more dog hips. It's not easy and as stated, PennHIP will not give a pass or fail score. The closest you can get to a pass or fail score on the PennHIP results is if degenerative joint disease is present. If your cat has DJD then there is no way I would feel comfortable breeding that cat. That cat has disease. On the otherhand, if your cat has subluxated hips only (within reason), then I could consider using that cat as discussed above. This is where the 'borderline' or 'mild' OFA category tends to fall. No DJD but subluxated (loose). This is where the big dilemma regarding cat hips centers.

More studies are needed (this requires more money, more time, and multiple study centers).  Concerns that this study is not representative of the population as a whole and the study participants were closely related to one another should not be used as a fault of this study. Like all research, limitations exist. To date, this is the largest prospective study looking at the hip joints in cats. 

If you take the data from above and break it down into each state or separate out each of the individual lines, the results are similar; an overall incidence of HD > 40% in each case. 

The breeders that participated in the study frequently used out-crosses in their breeding programs which further diversified their breeding lines. Also, an individual indirectly associated with our study tried to link the pedigrees with pedigree analysis software and found it very difficult- there was not one branch to this tree, it had many, many branches. I hope this will help clear up some of the questions regarding our work on HD, the incidence of HD, and the use of PennHIP. 

I know there are still hundreds of questions yâ?Tall have, many may never be answered. I only ask that you view PennHIP and its methodology as a possible aide to your breeding program based on its scientific foundation supported by years of research. OFA is not the answer to HD. Dog breeders have been following OFA guidelines for over 30 years and the incidence of HD in the dog has not changed. PennHIP wants to work with OFA data in an effort to reduce the incidence of HD. From the scientific foundation established using PennHIP, we know the incidence of HD can be significantly reduced/eliminated when following PennHIP guidelines in ones breeding program. This has been proven in the dog breeds that follow as? Together is better?

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INTRODUCTION:

Turkish Angoras don't make the impression of a man-made thorough­bred product in any respect like their descendant the Persian longhair does. Above all they make a natural impression. Their long, waving coat was very useful to them during the bitterly cold winters of the Caucasian and Anatolian mountainous regions, where their centuries old roots lie.

They are slender, elegant and graceful but also muscular and sturdy. They are cats of fleeting movements and direct action. Turkish Angoras are the sportsmen and sportswomen among the Semi-long­hairs. Although the Turkish Angora is the oldest longhaired breed that we know, because of this reason - lean and natural in its appea­rance, active and sportive in its behaviour - it is at the same time entirely a cat fitting in this modern time.

But also because of these two main characteristics they belong to the more difficult breeds to breed and to judge. With most breeds the Standard describes an extreme type as ideal, for example as heavy boned and as cobby as possible with a head as rounded and massif as possible like the Persian longhair. Or as elongated, tubular, dainty and elegant as possible, like the Oriental shorthair.

If one aims at such an extreme ideal type both in breeding and judging, that represents for many people the most important guideline for the development of a breed. 

With the Turkish Angora, however, one only messes things up when one aims at any extreme. It is a cat of a subtle natural balance between muscular and elegant, neither too heavy and too coarse, but certainly nor too fine and too dainty. To breed and to judge Turkish Angoras requires a trained eye for harmony and balance. That is the reason  why the interpretation of the Standard is rather more difficult than with many other breeds.  

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE TURKISH ANGORA :

The overall appearance of the Turkish Angora may be described as follows:

The head has a large, well set-up ear implantation. From this wide base the big pricked ears taper to a point, with tufts. They are set high on the head, which is clearly triangular. It is large at its top and tapers down to the chin. The elegant long curved neck enhances the slender elongated impression that the Angora must make. Of course males are somewhat bigger and stur­dier than females. The eyes are slightly almond shaped and are set somewhat oblique, although more open and less extreme as with Orientals. The long nose is straight with a slight curve down from the forehead and must absolutely not show a Persian break.

The body is long, elegant and lithe with fine bone. The legs are also slender and long; the hind legs are a little longer than the front legs, the reason why the back slopes somewhat upwards, giving a slightly overbuilt impression. The graceful feet are small, round, firm and solid. Tufts between the toes are an asset. The tail is long, large at the root, tapering down from there to a point. It must be well furnished. The coat is silky and curls slightly on the stomach. It has a remarkably fine structure and shines like satin.  

STANDARD OF THE TURKISH ANGORA:

The point of reference with the following summary is the CFA Standard, because - notwithstanding its name - the modern Turkish Angora originates from the United States of America, al­though it has been further developed in the Netherlands, Russia and Germany with the help of Angoras from the country of origin, Turkey.

Here we go with the summary:

The Turkish Angora is an elongated, slender but muscular cat of moderate size.

Head:

A relatively small head with a modified wedge. Eyes slanting upward, almond shaped with an open expression. Big high placed ears. The nose is medium in length, the nose line is slightly curved, not straight and without break. The nose stands in a right angle on the line end of nose‑chin. The chin is somewhat rounded. There is no relationship between eye colour and coat col­our, a deep rich uniform eye colour is preferred.

Body:

Long, slim, muscular but elegant build. Long slender legs. Hind legs somewhat longer than front legs. A moderately long neck carries the head. Shoulders as wide as the hips. The tail is large at the root, tapers down into a point; well furnished. Feet small, firm and round, preferably with tufts between the toes.

Coat:

A moderately long undercoat and long guard hairs of a thin silky soft structure. The frill is more evident with males than with females. The coat on the stomach and "britches" slightly curved. The long guard hairs must gently follow the lines of the flanks.

Coat colour and eye colour:

In principle all varieties that are also allowed with the Per­sian longhairs, with the exception of the varieties that may only be obtained through outcrosses with other breeds, notably chocolate, lilac and himalayan (colourpoint), with or without white. Eye colour has no relationship with coat colour, with white cats: blue, amber and odd-eyed, since some  years also green. Silvercoated cats present emerald or blue-green eyes.

INTERPRETATION OF THE STANDARD:

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Well said, but what does it mean? What is the exact meaning of "moderate wedge", or "pricked ears"? What is big? What is high? What is meant with "modified"?

Head:

Most attention is being paid to the head. The importance of the head for the impression that a breed makes at first glance cannot be overestimated. The Standard gives 40 points for all aspects in connection with the head but in fact the head accounts for an even greater part for the impression the cat makes. Although of course the other elements of the breed also play an important part, there is nevertheless a bigger leeway possible than is the case with the head, without a gross infrin­gement being made on the typical overall impression of the breed. A relatively small deviation of the head, however, is sometimes already too much in order to still be able to speak of a correct type.

How do we arrive at the correct interpretation of the Standard? Can we give a definition that is somewhat more precise than a merely emotional approach would enable us to? This of course without making use of a measuring tape and a ruler but so to speak "with a carpenter's eye".

Here again it is a question of an equilateral triangle. This time between the inner corners of the eyes and the end of the nose. The standing sides of this small inner triangle are at the same time as long as the horizontal line between the corners of the eyes that form the upper side of the triangle.

The form of the eyes is more difficult to catch in a drawing. The Standard speaks of "slightly almond shaped". Round eyes make a much too Persian impression, which is undesirable with a Turkish Angora. For the rest, the form of the eyes, like with any cat, depends on the emotional state in which the cat is at a certain moment. An attentive cat has bigger, rounder eyes than a dozing specimen with an affectionate expression. If the eyes are half closed, then their position seems more horizontal.

The position of the eyes, like the placing of figure 2 may be found in figure 3. The lines through the lower and upper eye corners of the eyes cross each other in an angle of 90° at the lower part of the nose, somewhere at the lower third part. When one extends these lines outwardly they end in the neighbourhood of the outer side of the bases of the ears.

The nose line is a gently sloping line. A break must not be perceived. Also the nose line must not be straight as this gives an impression that is too Oriental.

The line end of nose/chin makes a perpendicular angle with the nose line. The chin is somewhat rounded. Because of a false in­terpretation of this rule, many correct chins have been wrongly defined as weak chins. One must observe for oneself how disturb­ing an angle is that is too obtuse instead of a rectangular angle. It makes a really unwieldy impression and one sees this often with a type that is too coarse and too heavy.

Body:

The golden middle must be kept between too heavy and too coarse, too much in the direction of the Norwegian Forest Cat and the Main Coon and on the other hand too light and too dainty, in short too much in the direction of the Oriental Shorthair. For the same reason the feet must not be oval, because that makes a much too Oriental impression.

Tail:

The Standard requires a tail that is large at its root and slowly tapers down to a point. Anatomically speaking this is certainly correct. Nevertheless this definition gives a wrong impression. Visually the tail starts being narrow because there the hairs are rather short. From there the furnishing of the tail fans out widely to end in a point again. This gives the tail a feather like shape.  

Coat:

The Turkish Angora belongs to those semi-longhaired breeds that give a drastically different impression in summer than in win­ter. In summer they often lose the main part of their coat, frill and side-whiskers. A coat which structure is too woolly is not seen often these days which is a good thing, because such a woolly coat often stand out which is an ugly sight because the coat of a Turkish Angora must lankly follow the lines of the body. What we still observe now and then, is an undercoat that is too long, which is often accompanied by an upper coat that is too short.

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