by Liz
(Michigan)
Albino Siamese
I am awaiting genetic test results to confirm albinism. Elfine is pure white. She has blue eyes with a pinkish rim. I can't get a good pic of her eyes as she usually closes them when I snap the pic.
The genetics for coat color is very complicated. It involves more than one gene. Genetic testing can be done by VGL of UC Davis for $60.
If she turns out to be a genetically confirmed albino, I plan to breed her. If she is not, she will be fixed.
Liz
Thanks Liz.... for showing us Elfine. For the rest of the visitors I'll just write a bit about albino cats and albinism.
Robinson's Genetics describes "albino" as a pink or red-eyed mutant! The cat is completely devoid of pigment. Blue or dark eyed white cats are not albinos. Of course the Siamese cat coat is a form of "incomplete albinism".
Cats that are true albinos are homozygous for the c allele.
The albino allele is inherited as a recessive to full color C. Genetics are a complete nightmare!
Apparently the pink-eyed albino was first described in 1930 and in the USA in 1980.
When you have the results back you might like to add a comment. Good luck.
Michael
