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Expert: Jessica - 7/9/2009


Question
Are all Calico Cats female

Answer
Hi Hal.  Almost all calico cats are female.  The gene it takes to create a calico cats is carried on the X chromosome, which also causes a cat to be female.  The only way for a male to be a calico is if he is the result of a mutation in which he receives a male Y chromosome and also an X (female) chromosome.  This is rare - it's estimated to occur in about 1 in every 500 kittens (not all kittens will be calicos).  Most kittens die of other deformities that come along with the mutation.  Male calicos who don't suffer other deformities and survive to adulthood only account for about 1 in 10,000 cats, according to my vet.

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Jessica

Expertise

The areas in which I have gained the most experience are cat health and feral cat management/rescue. I provide supportive care to chronically ill cats, hospice care to terminally ill cats and also am involved in trap-neuter-return efforts. My specialities lie in taming feral cats and in the allopathic treatment of cats with illnesses or special needs. I also have owned Siamese, Himalayans, Abyssinians, Russian Blues, Savannahs, Bengals, Peterbalds, Don Sphynx and Oriental Shorthairs and am well-versed in cat breeds as well as cat behavior and nutrition.

Experience

I have 15 years of extensive experience with cats ranging from breeding to medical care. My daily routine consists of caring for cats with diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney failure, feline leukemia, feline AIDS as well as feral cats. I have experience with liver patients, heart patients, feline infectious peritonitis, cancer, recovery from amputation and trauma, congenital deformities and most every disease in between. I have assisted cats giving birth and hand-nursed kittens who were neglected by their mother from 2 days old through weaning.

Education/Credentials
15 years' hands-on experience

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