Hello Again! Albino Kitten Questions. :)

Hello friendly cat people. I posted here a couple of weeks ago in regards to my cat Minerva giving birth to a single kitten and not living up to her namesake by being totally dumbfounded as to how to care for it. After you all gave me excellent advise I bottle fed the kitten for about 48 hours before her maternal instincts finally kicked in and she took it from there. Well, our kitten has finally opened his eyes and oh look, he's albino! I had joked with my husband that since then kitten was all white it would probably be albino (my husband actually has albinism) but I wasn't serious! Looks like I was right?!

Is there anything special I need to do to care for a kitten with albinsim? Do I need to avoid bright lights, will they damage his eyes? How can I tell if he's deaf or not without scaring the poor dear? Are their any things like intestinal problems I need to watch out for (human with albinism can have problems with their intestines which is why I ask) I tried looking online but all I could find was post about how 'cute' and 'exotic' albino cats are. -_-

Any advice or sources you can direct me towards?

Couldn't get an good picture of his eyes because he kept turning away from the camera.

Bright lights aren't good for any kittens eyes.  Can you post a picture?  I would love to see it.

I tried to post a picture and the websites said it was holding it for moderation since I'm new so hopefully they'll release it soon. do you think normal room lighting is okay dfor it's brand new eyeballs? We have pretty dim lighting anyways because of my husband, I just don't know if a new baby's eyes are more easily damaged or not.

MotherFaerie said:

I tried to post a picture and the websites said it was holding it for moderation since I'm new so hopefully they'll release it soon.

do you think normal room lighting is okay dfor it's brand new eyeballs? We have pretty dim lighting anyways because of my husband, I just don't know if a new baby's eyes are more easily damaged or not.

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Such a lighting should be OK.  Its sooner sunlight which is the major danger.  And excessive photo-flashing straigh in.

So you are sure its not a point?  No darker tail nor ears?

MotherFaerie said:

Couldn't get an good picture of his eyes because he kept turning away from the camera.

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He looks very pink.  So cute and already exploring.

Are his eyes pink or blue? There is a big difference between a white cat and an albino. Only about 50% of white cats are deaf. Albinos are not necessarily deaf at all. The bright sunlight can be damaging to an albino's eyes and skin if he is truly an albino. I would think it's a bit too soon to make that call for sure. All kittens' eyesight and hearing continue to develop for several weeks after they open up. And the eyes can change color up until around three months old. I would wait and see. So glad mama kitty finally took over. Don't forget to have her spayed in a few weeks!

His eyes are definitely pink, they look more like a redish purple color actually, which is how my husbands eyes are.
He seems like he can see okay because when I picked him up to check and make sure I wasn't seeing things as soon as I got him at eye level he hissed at me. Lol.
Also, I don't know if it's because he doesn't have any litter mates, but Minnie is constantly bringing him to my daughter whenever she falls asleep. Lol. I watch and make sure she doesn't roll on him or anything, and Minnie lays there and grooms them both. >.

Oh, my goodness, that is surely an award-winning photo! How sweet! Minnie thinks the babies should be together as litter mates!

Well, it does sound like he is a true albino. Most normal kittens have blue eyes. Though he is most likely not deaf.

Your situation blows my mind. First, you are a lactation consultant and must help a kitten to nurse; and secondly, your husband is a partial albino, and your cat births an albino. How strange is all of this?

Take good care of this special kitten. I believe you have received it for many a reason, if none other than you can care for its particular needs. God bless!

Let us know if you have more questions. I would love to see its progress over time.

Yes, wait until baby begins weaning to spay, but Minnie can still nurse even after her spay. But do not let her outside! She may go into heat before she is spayed, but she must stay inside in order not to conceive again. I spayed my mama kitty when her babies were 8 weeks old, and she is still nursing them at 14 weeks! (At this point it is just for comfort I am sure!).

motherfaerie

Here is a link which discusses albinism and white cats that you may find interesting:

http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/albino-cat-kitten-health-facts-what-is-albinism-siamese-cats

i have a kitten and i just wanted to know how to tell if its albino, it has its eyes shut and it is all white and has pink skin no color what so ever on the kitten, its eyes have not opened cause shes 3 days old, shes not a color point she has no color on her.

StefanZ , if it were a flame point, the points could be light enough that they wouldn't show until it was older, I believe. If I am wrong, please correct me. I would rather be correct.

Newborn are whitish. The Point becomes visible at 1 week or some later. Flame is usually fully possible to discern, but creme may be tricky esp on so so photos.

Creme may be difficult to see on so so photos even on adults.


EDIT: some minor changes to make it easier to read.

Nowborn points usually not entirely white. If entirely white prob solid white or possibly albino

What a wonderful coincidence! It seems like your family have been excellent caregivers for this particular momma and kitten. They're lucky to have humans who are sensitive to their special needs and concerns! And what stunning photos of baby / kitten!

As a side note: your hair color is stunning, too. It's what a strive for with my hair dye!

stefanz said:

Nowborn points usually not entirely white. If entirely white prob solid white or possibly albino

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Thank you.