Heterochromia in animals, is it a disease or an accident?

Walking in the park or on the neighboring streets, and perhaps on his own, every person at least once or twice in his life met cats and dogs with different eyes. Cats with different eyes, a dog with different eyes – how unique is that! Heterochromia is also found in humans, but in pets this phenomenon is more common. The attitude of people to this phenomenon is also ambiguous. Some owners have such a tail, because they believe that it will bring them happiness and good luck. In ancient times there was such a belief in some regions of our country, that if you get such a tail in the yard – will happen to you happiness. For other owners it is like a “highlight”, they are happy to have an unusual animal and not like others. The peculiarity of “colored eyes” in dogs and cats gives these animals not only a unique look, but also opens mysterious aspects of genetics. Today we will take a closer look at how this phenomenon affects the life and health of Petsfrom a scientific point of view .

The genetics of heterochromia and what is heterochromia in animals

Heterochromia in science is a violation of the pigmentation of the iris, as a result of which the eyes of the animal differ in color. The cause of such a phenomenon is an excess or deficiency of the pigment melanin. Eye color, that is, the color of the irises, is determined primarily by the concentration and distribution of melanin. An eye affected by heterochromia may be hyperpigmented or hypopigmented. Veterinarians and medical professionals do not consider heterochromia to be a disease or pathological condition. According to the above specialists, it is an individual characteristic of the animal and not a disease.

Types of heterochromia

The phenomenon of heterochromia in animals is congenital and acquired during life. Usually the owners of cats and dogs see discordance already from the age of 2 – 3 months in animals, such a phenomenon is congenital. Cases of heterochromia in adult Tails are too rare, it can happen in 10% of 100%, the cause of acquired heterochromia is always disease or trauma.

According to classification, heterochromia is divided into:

Complete heterochromia – always peculiar to dogs and cats. Usually in such Tails, the eyes are colored evenly and saturation is uniform, but the eyes are different colors. Usually the right eye is blue in color and the left eye is green or brown.

Partial heterochromia is a phenomenon in which the eye is partially colored in a color different from the dominant color. Other names for this color distribution are annular and sectoral heterochromia. In annular, one of the colors colors the ring around the pupil of the eye. Sectoral is a phenomenon in which a part of the iris, from the pupil to the edge of the eye is colored with a different color. This phenomenon can occur in either one eye or two eyes.

Central heterochromia – when the iris of the eye has different colors from the center of the eye and to the periphery.

Such phenomena are not a sign of disease or genetic problems, it is just a genetic trait. Many cats and dogs with different eyes are perfectly healthy and experience no discomfort or limitations in their vision and daily routines. Such cats and dogs you will always see in mood, active, who will run and jump as well as other animals with the same eye color. They will also play, walk, demand treats and attention.

Breeds of cats and dogs that have heterochromia

If a puppy or kitten has a white coat color or if white is the dominant color, you can expect that when the kitten or puppy grows up, between two and three months of age, there is a risk of “variegated” eyes.

The three cat breeds in which heterochromia occurs most often are. The Koa Mani, Van cat and Turkish Angora are the ones that have inherently colored eyes. Get ready for yellow, green, orange and blue eyes, all the colors of the rainbow, if you buy such a kitty. The homeland of the Koa Mani is considered to be Thailand. Representatives of this breed have eyes of all colors of the rainbow, thick white fur and are very expensive. The Thai are proud of their “snow-whites” and they are not available to everyone, because the price is noticeably high. “Turkish Angorka” is a representative of the ancient royal breed and is considered the “history” and national treasure of the Turks. Turkey is famous for these royal beauties. Van kitty – this Tail is from the neighborhood of Lake Van. Unusual with its white coloring, along with spots on the body and colored tail. What makes this breed special is that its coat is covered with subcutaneous fat and is dry in all weather conditions. Van Tails are dry in rain, in downpour and in snow – never wet. And also this phenomenon can have: British breeds of cats, Persian and Scottish, Rexes, Orientals and Sphynxes.

If we are talking about dogs, then most often “discordance” we can observe in Siberian Huskies, Border Collies, Catahoula leopard dogs, Podbulterriers and Australian Shepherds. Such a variety of heterochromia as “partial” – usually in German dogs and dachshunds. Acquired is found in French bulldogs. Dalmatians and Cocker Spaniels have “acquired” divergence.

Is heterochromia dangerous or not?

When choosing a dog or cat, when the future owner has planned to buy an animal, the first thing that comes to mind is the question of health. Most people are interested in the phenomenon of heterochromia very seriously, because many people have suspicions that it will have a serious impact on the health and daily routine of the animal. Veterinarians reassure such future owners that it does not mean that the animal will not see well and get sick. If the animal had heterochromia from birth, it is more of a “highlight” and is not worth caring about. Such an animal will not differ from others, will always be cheerful and active. Eye color is often inherited from parents, and can also be a consequence of mutation in the first generation.

It is worth worrying in the event that heterochromia appeared suddenly. In this case, it is worthwhile to immediately take the animal for a qualitative and thorough examination. The cause of such an occurrence can be diabetes, leukemia and melanoma. Acquired can also occur with hemorrhage in the eyeball, after trauma. And one of the causes can be glaucoma treatment, unfortunately, eye drops can cause “discordance” in dogs and cats.

A sign such as a “white as snow” coat or beautiful blue eyes is a lack of melanin. If there is a lack of pigmentation, the reason is that a dominant gene has intervened. The pigment melanin is too important for the beauty and for the health of the animal. This pigment decorates the eyes, coat, claws of the animal, gives them a bright color, but in fact the main function of melanin is another – the formation of the organs of vision, hearing and nervous system.

In severe cases, if two genes of dangerous variation, i.e. homozygous for the W gene, appear in the womb of the female, there is often a possibility of death of the baby in the womb.

If of the two dangerous was only one gene, the animal will be born, but with some abnormalities. For example: white-colored fur, deafness in one or sometimes two ears, heterochromia. Such Tails will require more frequent vet visits, more frequent examinations and treatment than normal Tails.

So, let’s summarize the results on this topic. Heterochromia is a congenital and acquired phenomenon in cats and dogs, which is manifested by different eye colors in animals. Usually this phenomenon is congenital and does not pose a threat to the life and health of the animal at all. In cases after trauma or disease – this phenomenon is treated in veterinary clinics. Such Tails should not be afraid, they will become a faithful friend and joy for years, as well as other animals to whom we sincerely wish health!