Evaluation of the Prevalence of Congenital Sensorineural Deafness in a Population of 72 Client-Owned Purebred White Cats Examined from 2007 to 2021

Background Data on sensorineural deafness (CSD) in purebred white client-owned cats is limited as most of the information on this disease entity is assured from mixed-breed experimental colonies. It is known that cats with blue irises are more predisposed to CSD having been described as a condition in which many structures in the inner ear are damaged resulting in hearing loss. Cats with CSD are born deaf or lose their hearing irreversibly within the first 4-5 weeks of life. It is important to diagnose cats with this hereditary condition in order to eliminate affected individuals from breeding. The objectives of this study were to ensure data on prevalence of CSD in a population of 72 client-owned purebred white cats in Poland according to the color of the irises and to determine if there are any predispositions with regard to CSD among different breeds of cats in which the dominant W gene is present. Results Conducted study included 72 purebred white cats from six different breeds. The prevalence of CSD in the conducted study was 16.7%, CI 95 [8.9%; 23.3%]. Unilateral deafness (11.1%, CI 95 [4.9%; 20.7%]) was more common than bilateral CSD (5.6%, CI 95 [1.5%; 13.6%]). The studies did not show any association between sex and CSD, p = .46. No association between the blue color of irises and deafness in the studied population could be found, p = .91. When compared to the rest of the examined population, no association was found between CSD and a particular breed. Conclusions Overall prevalence of CSD regarding the examined population of purebred client-owned cats was reported as lower when compared to previous studies concerning purebred cats. Cats with blue irises are more likely to be deaf in accordance to the current state of knowledge, however in the conducted study, no significant association between the presence of blue irises and deafness in white purebred cats could be identified. In order to eliminate CSD from the population, it is necessary to conduct examinations and diagnose CSD in white cats with blue irises as well as with irises of color other than blue. Association between particular breed and CSD wasn’t identified.