Post by Broadwaykat on Oct 22, 2019 4:04:07 GMT
What is a Mutation?
A mutation is a change that occurs in our DNA sequence, either due to mistakes when the DNA is copied or as the result of environmental factors. In regards to this role play, they can effect both how a cat looks or how a cat acts, their life expectancy, and whether or not they would be able to be a warrior.
For the sake of the role play, many of the following mutations have been simplified significantly.
Physical Mutations
Full-Body Mutations
Full-bodied mutations are incredibly rare.
Janus: Happens when a kit is born with two faces; usually they don't live long, but some survive into early adolescence. They can have two distinct sets of features.
Chimera: The embryo is split, so that part of the cat is a solid colour, and the other side different. One of the only full body mutation that isn't an immediate death sentence.
Conjoined: A variety of maladies can effect a conjoined cat, usually killing them off within a few days after birth; they may have several limbs, two faces, bodies, tails, etc.
Male Calico/Tortoiseshell: Incredibly rare, as these cats are almost always female. They will more often than not be infertile.
Blue-Eyed Whites: A pure white cat with blue eyes. These cats will always, ALWAYS be born deaf, which will effect their abilities to learn and speak, as well as photosensitive to low lights.
Dwarfism: Cats with shortened, squished up limbs. Can live for a while, but are usually felled as dwarfism comes with a variety of other health concerns.
Heart Murmur: A cat with a hart murmur could go most of their life without much issue; only to die quite suddenly in their young adult life. Murmurs usually cause an irregular heartbeat, where stress or sudden frights could cause it to beat out of rhythm or stop altogether.
Vitiligo: While a character can be born with it, it will not appear until a cat is older. Fur in splotchy, spotted, random patterns will lose all pigmentation.
Erythrism: A congenital condition of abnormal redness in an animal's fur, plumage, or skin.
Leucism: A condition in which there is partial loss of pigmentation in an animal—which causes white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticle, but not the eyes.
Albinism: Albinism is a genetic condition in which there is a complete lack of color or pigmentation. An albino cat’s coat may appear to be white, but closer inspection, particularly of the eyes and skin, reveals a series of differences. The eyes of a true albino cat are limited to a very pale blue, or may appear pinkish or pinkish-blue. They are light-sensitive, and prone to burning in the sun – but other than that, can live perfectly happy, healthy lives as a warrior.
Melanism: The increased development of the dark-colored pigment melanin in the skin or hair; causing a cat and thir skin and patterns to appear solidly black, even if there are no black cats in their direct lineage.
Tremors: Uncontrollable shaking of one or more limbs; as if the cat is constantly cold. Not necessarily life threatening, but will certainly make activities like hunting difficult.
Myopathy: Often appears during the 6-12 moon mark. Muscle weakness in the head and neck, with protruding shoulder blades. Their head often will begin to permanently tilt to the side, and will sometimes result in periods where they are unable to eat at certain periods of times; often leading to them being prone to choking and death due to respiratory illness.
Head Defect: Duplication of the upper jaw and incomplete formation of the skull. The defect is incompatible with life – which means a cat who suffers from this disease will likely only live for a few months.
Osteochondrodysplasia: General term for a disorder of the development of bone and cartilage. These bone and cartilage abnormalities lead to severe and painful arthritis. A cat can function with this condition, but they will have bouts of pain that will need to be seen to by a Medicine Cat and may cause early retirement.
Runt: A runt kit may look like a dwarf from the start, but there are added health issues at birth: more prone to not getting enough to eat, and a myriad of other health problems; Runts can life full and happy lives if they are given special attention; but many do die in kithood.
Hydrocephalus: The buildup of fluid in the cavities (ventricles) deep within the brain. The excess fluid increases the size of the ventricles and puts pressure on the brain, enlarging the head. If seen in kittypets, can occasionally be corrected with seizure disorders and some intelligence delay; but is essentially fatal for feral cats. Kits are lucky to live to apprenticeship age, but none have been known to live past that.
Seizure Disorders: Can be caused by multiple things, but in truth has similar effects and appearances: random triggers can cause a cat to seize uncontrollably, having no control of their muscles or body, and becoming seriously ill afterwards. Will usually be the cause of death for those cats who suffer from it; but they are also known to live full lives with the watchful eye of a Medicine Cat and extreme determination.
Cerebellar Hypoplasia: A neurological condition in which the cerebellum is not completely developed or is smaller than it should be, affecting a cat's movement and thought processing. Non-painful, but a cat with this condition will likely not be able to be made a warrior.
Spina Bifida: A birth defect that occurs when the spine and spinal cord don't form properly. It falls under the broader category of neural tube defects. A cat will be unable to walk and will not be able to become a warrior, usually dying as a kit.
Eye Mutations
Eye mutations are rare, but no less dangerous – cat's born with certain eye mutations may be prone to blindness.
Entropion: A condition in which the eyelid is rolled inward against the eyeball, typically caused by muscle spasm or by inflammation or scarring, as well as vision problems and eye irritation.
Heterochromia: Has nothing to do with sight abilities. The pigment in one eye is different from the pigment in another.
Pop-Eyed: The eyes don't seem to fit in the skull, popping out ever so slightly. Cat's with popped eyes are more prone to blindness.
Cyclops: Cats born with not two eyes, but one central eye. These cats will usually die within days of being born.
One-Eyed: Different from Cyclops; one eye may be fine, but the other socket has skin growing over the empty space. Will of course be blind on the one side, but can otherwise live a normal life.
Cataracts: Born with a glaze or a sheen to one or both eyes that cause them to appear clouded and can affect the vision in a variety of ways; can also develop with age.
Nystagmus: Involuntary side to side movements of the eyes. It will not effect a cat too much, other than being uncomfortable and give them the feeling of being shifty and perhaps cause cats' eye irritation. Can be a symptom of another disease, or a condition in its' own right.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy: Term used to describe a group of genetic disorders that result in degeneration and atrophy (loss or wasting) of the retina – the light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye. This can lead to a progressive decline in the quality of vision and in some cases can lead to blindness. Cats who have this traditional will essentially grow prematurely blind; forcing them into early retirement.
Strabismus: Cross-eyed or squinting eyes; they may have some vision problems, but it does not effect or stop them from becoming a warrior.
Photophobic: Intolerance of bright lights (usually due to having blue eyes). It means they have reduced vision in low light conditions.
Blindness: Born with the inability to see, or to see only slight, smoky edges of things. Cats who have this condition may have trouble being true warriors, unless they fight to develop other skills.
Colorblindness: It doesn't really affect a cat or stop them from being a warrior, save that they are unable to tell certain colors or mix up certain conditions.
Muzzle/Nose Mutations
Muzzle and Nose mutations may cause problems with eating and speaking, or make a cat prone to respiratory diseases.
Crushed Muzzle: Flattened face; Typically seen on cats with Persian blood.
Long Muzzle: Muzzle is more pronounced than usual.
Jowls: Sort of like a flattened face, but the cheeks are more pronounced; droopy.
Mute: Either neurological or due to misinformed vocal chords, this is a cat who is unable to speak. They can survive without communicating, but will likely suffer from various social issues.
Brachycephalic Airway Symptom: Affected cats have difficulty breathing due to a very narrow external opening of the nose, narrow nasal passages, and/or due to a relatively long soft palate. Essentially, these cats will snort and have severe breathing problems, leading to shortness of breath and gasping for air, as well as making them prone to respiratory illnesses. This does not necessarily mean a cat will be unable to function as a warrior, but it will make their lives difficult.
Feline Asthma: This causes a cat to have shortness of breath and tightness in their chest for a variety of reasons; either due to seasonal allergies, stress, or intense exercise. A cat with this condition can technically remain a warrior, but they will need to have constant monitoring by a Medicine Cat.
Hyperosmia: Is an increased olfactory acuity (heightened sense of smell), usually caused by a lower threshold for odor.
Anosmia: The loss of the sense of smell, either total or partial. It may be caused by head injury, infection, or blockage of the nose; but in the case of a mutation or birth defect, this cat will be unable to smell from birth. Not necessarily detrimental to a warrior, but will make things like hunting much harder.
Hyposmia: A reduced ability to smell and to detect odors. Related to anosmia, but not quite as serious. Will make things like tracking and hunting for a warrior much harder.
Cleft Palate: An opening or split in the roof of the mouth that occurs when the tissue doesn't fuse together during development in the womb; exposing the upper teeth and causing issues with biting and eating.
Teeth Mutations
Teeth mutations effect how well a cat can talk and eat – as well as add or hinder their way of fighting with others.
Saber-Toothed Overbite: A cat who's canines protrude out of the upper jaw and down below the bottom of the muzzle, giving them a vicious appearance. Can effect eating and speaking to some degree.
Saber-Toothed Underbite: A cat who's canines protrude out of the lower jaw and over the upper muzzle, giving them a vicious appearance. Can effect eating and speaking to some degree.
Snaggle-Teeth: The teeth grow crooked in the mouth, leading to in some serious cases a problem with shutting the mouth fully.
Claw/Foot Mutations
Claw mutations may effect the way a cat can walk, run, or climb – hindering their abilities to fight or flee.
Shortened Claws: The claws are shorter than average. Risk of over-extension and paw-strain.
Lengthened Claws: The claws are unable to be fully retracted; always out. May cause them to become worn quickly.
Brittle Claws: Claws easily break against materials, making them incredibly inneffective for use in defence and hunting.
Soft-Pads: Usually caused by infection or severe nerve damage in the feet area, or in the case of kittypets, a trip to the Cutter; leaving a cat without claws, or at least without the ability to extend them. Essentially, they cannot fight with their paws.
Polydactyl: A cat with six toes.
Club-Footed: Lower to the ground, where the joint of the leg meets the paw; paw is twisted inwards. Sometimes painful, but usually just awkward.
Syndactylism: Causes a reduction in the number of toes on a cat, giving it a so called “lobster-claw” appearance.
Leg Mutations
Leg mutations can also effect the way a cat can walk, run, or climb – hindering their abilities to fight or flee.
Shortened (Munchkin) Legs: Legs are incredibly short, the cat's belly can be touching the ground. Usually results in cat's with longer bodies as well.
Long (Stilted) Legs: The opposite of short legs – legs are incredibly long and the cat has a tall appearance.
Lopsided: The front legs are longer than the back legs, or vice versa. Can make climbing awkward.
Twisted: One or more of the legs are twisted at an odd angle – may but not always causes pain in the twisted limb.
Bow-Legged: Cat's legs are turned out slightly; giving their walk a sort of waddling appearance.
Dysmetria: High stepping gait. Can be a symptom of another condition, or a disability in its own right. Does not necessarily mean a warrior will be retired, but will make life difficult.
Ataxia: Uncoordinated walking – a musculature disorder in which they are unable to move properly. It can be a symptom of other mutations, but can also be a condition all on its own. Cats with ataxia can survive for several years, but it is rare that they will be able to climb any sort of ranks, or be skillful as a warrior.
Patellar Luxation: Usually affecting the hind legs. Essentially, the 'knee cap' becomes unaffixes, and results in limping, hopping, or hind limb collapse. Signs may be episodic – a cat can show symptoms only sometimes – or permanent. Does not necessarily mean they will be unable to be a warrior if the signs are episodic and the limping is minor, but will require constant monitoring by a Medicine Cat.
Hip Dysplasia: Again, affecting the hind legs. An abnormality of the development of the hip joint(s). If these joints fail to form properly there may be increased laxity and abnormal movement of the joint, and over time this can result in the development of degeneration of the joint and painful osteoarthritis. A cat will often have a slumped or drooping hind end in this case. And while they can technically be made warriors, their career will be short.
Tail Mutations
Tail mutations may not seem like they would effect a cat much, but they do; a different tail can effect the way a cat balances, as well as certain ways they can communicate with others.
Full Tailed: Long and whip-like; a normal cat's tail, usually as long as the cat's body is.
Stumpy: A shortened tail – half the cat's body or less. Less expressive.
Flat to Back: A tail that curves up and along the spine; typically can't go very far from the cat's body.
Aerial Curved: A long tale that curves up into the air naturally rather than out behind them.
Corkscrew: A curl that tightly curls back in on itself – like a pig's tail.
Kinked: Long tail with one or more kinks along it's length – permanent angles bent into the length of the tail.
Double Tailed: A cat born with two tails; usually only one that works properly. Usually best that the smaller, less-adaptable tail is amputated at birth.
Split Tail: Like a double tail, but the tail is split partway down the middle. No need to amputate, but can cause a cat to be clumsier than some.
Rump: The tail appears to be missing entirely; essentially ends at the rump with nothing else.
Bobtail: Tail that is less than a third the length of a cat's body; a short little bob, like a bobcats.
Fur Mutations
A difference in fur length and type is important for a wild cat – the shorter the fur, the worse they feel the cold and horrible weather.
Short-haired: Short haired means that a cat's coat is silky smooth; the hair is long enough to protect them from all but the worst weather and cold, and is usually quite easy to keep neat.
Long-haired: Long haired means that a cat's coat is incredibly thick and long, usually an inch or two out of the skin; very good at protecting from horrible weather, but hard to keep untangled.
Sphynx (Hairless): A cat who has no fur; usually wrinkly and unable to keep in body heat. Cats who are hairless do not make out well in the wild, as both extreme cold and extreme heat is hard for them to deal with.
Rex: The fur is more velvety-feeling than others; not quite hairless, but not as long as a short-haired cat; somewhere in between. Can handle warm seasons well, but don't do well in cold climates.
Laperm: The hair is tightly curled, more woolly that furry; good at keeping out all but the coldest of furs, but mostly prone to tangling.
Wirehair: The hair feels more like bristles than fur; prickly and unpleasant to touch. They tend to be unable to handle wet weather well.
Lykoi: A fine mix between sphynx and wire-haired; fur is sparse, and what is there is incredibly bristly. Can handle colder weather a little better than sphynxes, but they too don't tend to thrive well in the wild.
Feline Acne: A problem seen in cats primarily involving the formation of blackheads accompanied by inflammation on the cat's chin and surrounding areas that can cause lesions, alopecia, and crusty sores. In many cases symptoms are mild and the disease does not require treatment. Can be lived with, of course.
Cat Alopecia: A common problem for felines. Cat hair loss can be partial or complete, and the patterns can varied or symmetrical. The skin surrounding the area of hair loss can appear normal, or it can have redness, bumps, scabs and skin loss. Can be easily lived with so long as a warrior does not live in colder regions.
Ear Mutations
Ear mutations don't really effect the way a cat can hear – but certain ear differences may effect the probability of ear infections, which can lead to deafness.
Large (Oversized) Ears: Ears that seem almost too big for a cats' head; usually seen with oriental and Siamese breeds.
Folded Ears: Usually seen with a particular breed, but can be seen at birth as well. The ears are folded over at birth, giving the cat a 'floppy' appearance. Usually in this situation it is bother ears that are affected; folded almost like a lop-eared dog's.
Deafness: A cat born deaf will be unable to hear dangerous sounds; however, a deaf cat will also likely be unable to communicate with others, as they cannot understand or hear language.
Curled Ears: Usually seen with a particular breed, but can be a birth defect as well. The ears are curled outwards; fluted or shell-like rather than triangular.
'Double Pinnae' Ears: Better known as a 'four eared cat'. With this mutation, the cat's ears appear to be doubled; usually a smaller, vestigial pair of ears in front, with the larger working ears behind it. In no way does it effect how well a cat can hear.
Flat-Tipped Ears: Seen at birth – the cat has regular ears, but they end at a flat edge rather than a triangular point.
Small Ears: Similar to curled ears, but while they are curved and curled they also seem smaller compared to the rest of the cat's body. Known mostly as a 'mouse-eared' condition.
Soft Cartilage: A condition that doesn't always show itself from birth, but is usually connected to them throughout life. The pointed parts of the ear are unable to be held up due to a weakened cartilage, resulting in one or both of the ears flopping downwards rather than pointing up.
Internal Mutations
Infertility: Does not exactly cause the cat's quality of life to go down, but causes them to be unable to either sire or carry young.
Spina Bifida: A developmental abnormality of the spine that can result in problems with control of urination and defecation, and sometimes also with control of the back legs (causing partial paralysis). A cat may live an okay life, but they will never be allowed to be a warrior; retiring them early.
Gangliosidosis: Affected cats lack an enzyme required to metabolize certain lipids (fats) which means that they accumulate within cells in the body. May eventually lead to Ataxia, tremors, dysmetria, Nystagmus and enlargement of the liver. May also lead to eye clouding and eventual blindness. Affected cats will likely be made to retire early.
Cardiomyopathy: Also known as heart disease. It means that a cat may suffer from shortness of breath, chest pains, and problems with circulation in times of high stress. A warrior cat with cardimyopathy will likely not live to see 18 moons; but on very rare occasions can survive longer if their condition is recognized and they are allowed to retire and live a slightly easier life. Still, living into old age in anything but a kittypet is incredibly, INCREDIBLY rare.
Glycogen Storage Disease: Usually causes stillbirths, but sometimes they will appear normal until 5 moons of age. At this point, they will begin to suffer from muscle weakness. By 8 moons, they will have severe muscular weakness, atrophy and contraction, and an inability to use their limbs; and so will be forced into retirement. They will likely die before reaching 16 moons.
Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy: Low blood potassium. It can be something that a cat inherits, or caused by severe illness. When inherited, one of the most obvious signs is generalized muscle weakness, which can be mild or severe. Sometimes a cat suffering an episode will be unable to even stand up. This condition, when effecting a cat, will not cause them to be retired but will require the very strict involvement of a Medicine Cat to monitor.
Alpha – Mannosidosis: Means a buildup of sugar molecules in a number of organs including the brain, kidney and liver. Symptoms include: Ataxia (uncoordinated walking), tremors, bizarre behavior, liver enlargement, growth retardation and premature death. Cats born with this mutation will not live long after 18 moons, usually dying while they are an apprentice or young warrior.
Mucopolysaccharidosis: Symptoms of this will appear within 4 to 5 moons. This mutation causes a reduced growth rate, skeletal deformities, enlarged liver, clouded eyes and some behavioral slowness. It is not a immediate death sentence for a cat- but do to the fact that they are likely going to make poor choices and will be a liability to their fellow cats, will likely not live long as warriors, suffering either accident or being retired early.
Diabetes: Either an absence of abundance of blood sugars that must be carefully monitored and controlled. This can be dealt with by a Medicine cat, but a cat suffering from Diabetes may suffer blackouts, nerve trembling, and are at a higher risk of other maladies. Therefore, cats born with diabetes do not generally live to see an older age in the wild, falling to their disease sometime before their 30th moon.
Senility/Dementia: A condition that is a hereditary mutation, but will only appear when a cat reaches senior status. Usually, they will live a full, healthy life, and become elders – only for this mutation to rear it's ugly head. Dementia and senility will cause them to become confused about time, place, make them unable to recognize familiar faces, effect their moods and emotions, and bodily control. It is eventually fatal, as either they will act out in a way that causes their deaths during an episode, or they will simply lose motor function and pass away relatively peacefully.
Anemia: A lack of certain materials needed in blood vessels, causing a cat to become easily weakened, lose their appetite, and become lethargic. Does not necessarily mean a cat must retire, as they can live with this condition, but must remain under close supervision of a Medicine Cat.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy: A cat may appear fine for the first 4 or 5 moons with this condition, before being betrayed by muscle tremors, muscular weakness, instability and abnormal posture. An affected cat remains mentally normal, as the disease is not painful or fatal, but it is disabling and affected cats will be immediately retired.
Hemophilia: A rare disorder in which blood doesn't clot normally because it lacks sufficient blood-clotting proteins (clotting factors). If you have hemophilia, you may bleed for a longer time after an injury than you would if your blood clotted normally. This means that a cat may survive and be a warrior, but any injury could possibly prove fatal.
Allergies: A condition inherited by birth, with multiple symptoms and triggers. A cat can have seasonal allergies, reactions to certain foods, or to natural stimulants. This can result in a variety of symptoms, from hair loss, rashes, shortness of breath and swelling of the throat (severe) itchy and running eyes and blocked sinuses. Allergies is definitely something a warrior can live with; it may just make life miserable for a while.
Congenital Analgesia: Congenital insensitivity to pain also known as congenital analgesia, is one or more rare conditions in which a person cannot feel (and has never felt) physical pain. This will not stop a warrior from becoming an adult, but will be dangerous as they cannot understand or incorporate the feeling of pain with others.
