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Chediak-Higashi Syndrome in Persian Cats

Chediak-Higashi syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects Persian cats with a dilute smoke-blue coat color and yellow-green irises (though it can also affect some white tiger Persians and arctic foxes), which causes the cats to bleed excessively immediately after an injury or minor surgery. Cats with this syndrome may also have an extreme sensitivity to light (photophobia).

Despite the affects brought on by Chediak-Higashi syndrome, affected cats usually have a normal lifespan.

Symptoms and Types

A cat with Chediak-Higashi syndrome will bleed for an abnormally long period, often due to minor surgery or injuries. The cat's eyes will reflect a red eyeshine when exposed to light; excessive blinking and eye watering may also occur.

Causes

• Genetic inheritance

Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will perform a thorough physical exam and take a background medical history of your cat's health leading up to the onset of symptoms. A complete blood profile will be conducted, including a chemical blood profile, a complete blood count, and a urinalysis.

Other diseases will need to be ruled out, but if your cat fits the genetic type, your veterinarian will do a smear test for Chediak-Higashi syndrome using a sample of the blood that was taken.