HAEMOPHILIA A (FACTOR VIII DEFICIENCY; CLASSICAL HAEMOPHILIA)
Type: impairing, sex-linked
Breeds: Persian
Characterised by prolonged bleeding after injury or surgery, poor blood clotting and haematomas (blood blisters) under the skin. The gene is sex-linked; carried on the X chromosome and therefore shows up in males, but may be carried undetected by females. Females are only affected if 2 copies of the gene are inherited. Affected cats can survive if care is take to prevent injury.
HAEMOPHILIA B (FACTOR IX DEFICIENCY, CHRISTMAS DISEASE)
Type: impairing, sex-linked
Breeds: Birman, Siamese, British Shorthair
Similar symptoms to Haemophilia A, but usually results in milder bleeding. Mode of inheritance is the same as Haemophilia A. Has been noted in inbred strain of British Shorthair
Genetic Anomalies of cats: a great webpage with a list of diseases—> http://www.messybeast.com/gene-anomalies.htm
This is good to know! We always do a simple clotting test before surgery on Dobies; I’ll suggest we start doing the same for these breeds of kitties, too.