Feline Cutaneous Asthenia
Encyclopedia
Feline Cutaneous Asthenia is a rare inheritable disease
found in cats. It is related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
, found in humans and in other animals.
poorly. Collagen is a major component in skin tissue and in tendons. While scientists originally suspected that the problem lay in the production of the type I collagen molecule, it is now known that type V collagen is the molecule which is incorrectly produced. Although scientists do not know exactly how, many suspect that type V collagen assists in packaging type I collagen. Collagen fibrils are often abnormally sized and have unusually large amounts of space between them. The dermis is thinned because of this. In heterozygous cats, normal and abnormal fibrils often exist inside of the same collagen fiber. Homozygous cats are not likely to survive for very long.
The autosomal recessive form of feline cutaneous asthenia results in a deficiency of procollagen peptidase or a structural abnormality at its cleavage site. Procollagen peptidase is an enzyme
necessary for the post-translational modification of procollagen into collagen. Because of the abnormalities in the formation of collagen fibrils, affected cats produce twisted collagen ribbons, rather than the normal collagen cylinders one would expect to find.
Autosomal recessive cats can develop extreme skin hyperextensibility, but do not suffer from joint hypermobility.
is also given to cats in controlled doses, to assist with the translation of collagen. Given proper care, cats with feline cutaneous asthenia can live long lives, although the prognosis is not as positive if joint hypermobility is present.
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Heredity
Heredity is the passing of traits to offspring . This is the process by which an offspring cell or organism acquires or becomes predisposed to the characteristics of its parent cell or organism. Through heredity, variations exhibited by individuals can accumulate and cause some species to evolve...
found in cats. It is related to Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen . The collagen in connective tissue helps tissues to resist deformation...
, found in humans and in other animals.
Cause
There are two genetic traits linked to Feline Cutaneous Asthenia. One comes from a dominant allele, while the other comes from a recessive. Both result similar pathology.Pathology
Cats with the autosomal dominant form of feline cutaneous asthenia package type I collagenCollagen
Collagen is a group of naturally occurring proteins found in animals, especially in the flesh and connective tissues of mammals. It is the main component of connective tissue, and is the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content...
poorly. Collagen is a major component in skin tissue and in tendons. While scientists originally suspected that the problem lay in the production of the type I collagen molecule, it is now known that type V collagen is the molecule which is incorrectly produced. Although scientists do not know exactly how, many suspect that type V collagen assists in packaging type I collagen. Collagen fibrils are often abnormally sized and have unusually large amounts of space between them. The dermis is thinned because of this. In heterozygous cats, normal and abnormal fibrils often exist inside of the same collagen fiber. Homozygous cats are not likely to survive for very long.
The autosomal recessive form of feline cutaneous asthenia results in a deficiency of procollagen peptidase or a structural abnormality at its cleavage site. Procollagen peptidase is an enzyme
Enzyme
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions. In enzymatic reactions, the molecules at the beginning of the process, called substrates, are converted into different molecules, called products. Almost all chemical reactions in a biological cell need enzymes in order to occur at rates...
necessary for the post-translational modification of procollagen into collagen. Because of the abnormalities in the formation of collagen fibrils, affected cats produce twisted collagen ribbons, rather than the normal collagen cylinders one would expect to find.
Symptoms
In the case of the autosomal dominant form of the disease, kittens are often born with abnormally soft and velvety skin. Normal scratching and playing with other cats will begin to cause tears in the skin, usually starting at around eight weeks of age. Injuries often heal rapidly, leaving scars. Rarely, joint overmobility can result from the disease.Autosomal recessive cats can develop extreme skin hyperextensibility, but do not suffer from joint hypermobility.
Treatment
Although feline cutaneous asthenia is not curable, there are treatment and management options for the disease. Affected animals must be kept away from others, and sharp corners on tables and other furniture must be padded. Cats should be declawed, so that they cannot injure themselves while scratching, and it is often advised that males be neutered, both because of the heritability of the disease and because there is a chance of injury during mating. If something causes the skin to tear, it should be sutured if possible, and the wound should be treated with antibiotics as needed. Vitamin CVitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...
is also given to cats in controlled doses, to assist with the translation of collagen. Given proper care, cats with feline cutaneous asthenia can live long lives, although the prognosis is not as positive if joint hypermobility is present.
External links
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