Fetih Gülyüz

A retrospective examination of reproduction and survival rates of van cats

Van cats are animals that often become the centre of attention due to their white hair, colourful eyes, and affectionate attitudes. However, it is nearly impossible to find research studies on the reproductive behaviours of Van cats. We conducted this study with the purpose of revealing the breeding efficiency properties and survival rates of Van cats. The study materials consisted of Van cats in the Van Cat Home of Yuzuncu Yil University’s Van Cats Research Center. We determined the breeding efficiency properties using records obtained from 56 female cats over the course of four years. As a result of the study, we determined that the durations of oestrus, pregnancy, and lactation in Van cats were, respectively, 2.41±0.09, 63.75±0.27, and 98.45±1.18 days. We also determined the average number of kittens per delivery and the mating per pregnancy as, respectively, 3.30±0.19 and 13.71±0.74. In this study, we recorded the presence of 56 delivering cats, with a total of 185 kittens, 22 of which were dead (11.89%), and an 88.11% survival rate (%). The most common delivery type was twin deliveries (30%), and the highest rate of stillbirths was 4.86% in quadruplet deliveries.