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Care Misconceptions
Some of the misconceptions about the Sphynx have been cleared up simply through the passage of time.
While it was once believed that there was a lethal gene involved if Sphynx were bred to Sphynx, it has been obvious for many years that this is untrue.
Successful Sphynx to Sphynx breedings have been going on since at least 1979, and possibly even before that.
Another misconception is that the Sphynx has a higher body temperature than other cats.
Their internal body temperature is the same as that of any other cat.
They feel warm to the touch because there is no insulating coat, so one is actually feeling between 101 and 102 degrees when stroking a Sphynx.
A misconception that is distressingly becoming more widespread is that Sphynx have allergies which manifest themselves in skin problems.
Many potential pet buyers are asking the question of breeders regarding this, and I have found it to simply be not true.
Sphynx are healthy, hardy, definitely not frail cats!
People are surprised at their weight and power when picked up.
If a Sphynx is suffering from persistent skin rashes, of course food allergies (which all cats can suffer from) should be checked out, but the environment in which the cat is living should also be thoroughly evaluated, including stress levels from living
conditions as well as cleaners or disinfectants used.
One thing that veterinarians seem to think about Sphynx is that they all have ear mites.
The gunk that can accumulate in a Sphynx’s ears in a very short time looks a lot like the debris associated with ear mites, but when examined on a slide always (unless the cat actually does have ear mites) turn out to be what I call “Sphynx Schmutz”.
It is normal for their ears to have waxy buildup, and is something that needs to be explained to both new owners and their vets.
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