País: South Africa
Título de la obra: Feline Brachycephaly
Especie o elemento: Domestic Cats (domestic shorthair vs persian)
Categoría: Ilustración científica
Técnicas utilizadas: Ballpoint pen, coloured pencil and fineliner
Inteligencia artificial: No.
Tamaño: 38 cm × 29,8 cm
Año de creación: 2025
Descripción: Depicted are differences between mesocephalic (left) and brachycephalic (right) cats. Brachycephaly describes a shortened skull compared to typical, mesocephalic skulls. Depicted is a more severe case, seen by the nose position above the lower eyelid and severe skull deformity. Humans have bred severe brachycephaly into cats such as persians purely for aesthetics, leading to ethical considerations and stricter breeding laws in some countries.
Features depicted and their implications for feline health:
– Misaligned, crowded teeth hinders chewing and increases plaque build up and gingivitis risks (teeth may even stick out of the mouth)
– Possible cognitive difficultiesChronic watery eyes due to abnormal nasolacrimal duct path, causing poor drainage (also stains fur near eyes and irritates skin)
– Narrow nostrils, rendering breathing difficult
-Corneal sequestra (dead corneal cells scabs) and other eye issues such as irritation due to shallow orbits that increase eye exposure
-Dense, difficult to manage fur that may obstruct digestion due to excessive amounts swallowed
References:
Hamilton W.P. and Hudson, L.C. (2010). Atlas of feline anatomy for vetinarians. Teton New Media.
Hill's Pet Nutrition, Inc. (2004). Hills atlas of vetinary clinical anatomy. Veterinary Medicine Publishing Company, Inc.
Lesch R, Kitchener AC, Hantke G, Kotrschal K, Fitch WT. (2022). Cranial volume and palate length of cats, Felis spp., under domestication, hybridization and in wild populations. R. Soc. Open Sci. 9: 210477.
https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.210477
Lewis, M.J., Olby, N.J., Early, P.J., Mariani, C.L., Muñana, K.R., Seiler, G.S., & Griffith, E.H. (2016). Clinical and Diagnostic Imaging Features of Brain Herniation in Dogs and Cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 30, 1672 - 1680.
Schmidt, M.J., Farke, D., Staszyk, C. et al. Closure times of neurocranial sutures and synchondroses in Persian compared to Domestic Shorthair cats. Sci Rep 12, 573 (2022).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-04783-1
Schlueter C, Budras KD, Ludewig E, et al. Brachycephalic Feline Noses: CT and Anatomical Study of the Relationship between Head Conformation and the Nasolacrimal Drainage System. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 2009;11(11):891-900. doi:10.1016/j.jfms.2009.09.010
Sieslack J, Farke D, Failing K, Kramer M, Schmidt MJ (2021). Correlation of brachycephaly grade with level of exophthalmos, reduced airway passages and degree of dental malalignment’ in Persian cats. PLoS ONE 16(7): e0254420.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0254420
Zilli J, Kressin M, Scha¨nzer A, Kampschulte M, Schmidt MJ (2021). Partial cortico-hippocampectomy in cats, as therapy for refractory temporal epilepsy: A descriptive cadaveric study. PLoS ONE 16(1): e0244892.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244892
Further image references from the following:
Skulls Unlimited - Real Domestic Cat Skull
Odd Articulations - Brachycephalic Persian Cat Skull Replica
Videos:
The Amateur Biologist - Cat Skull Anatomy
The Amateur Biologist - Cat Brain Dissection
The Animal Eye Guy - Everything You Need to Know About Corneal Sequestra in Cats
Revival Animal Health - Common Cat Dental Problems
