Glossary of Feline Terms

Apnea - Cessation of breathing.

Archangel - Archaic name for Russian Blue.

ASH - American Shorthair.

Asian - A cat of Burmese type, but without Burmese markings, colouration or coat length. e.g. Burmilla, Mandalay, etc.

Aspiration - The inhalation of a foreign object.

Assortative Mating - The mating of cats (individuals) with similar phenotypes.

Asthenia -Weakness.

Asymptomatic - Without noticeable symptoms. 

Ataxia - Shaky movements, unsteadiness or staggering; Lack of voluntary muscle coordination. 

Atelectasis -  The collapse of a lung.

Atrophy - A decrease in the size or wasting of a organ or tissue. 

Auscultation - Listening for sounds within the body; either by unaided ear or with a stethoscope.

Autoclave - A steriliser that destroys microorganisms by high temperature using steam under pressure. 

Autosomal gene - A gene present on the autosomes, as opposed to those on the sex chromosomes (X & Y).

Autosomal Set - The non-sex chromosomes consisting of one from each homologous pair.

Autozygous - Homozygous for a gene and the homologous genes are identical by descent (both alleles have descended from a single allele in an ancestor). 

Avulsion - Tearing away or forcible separation.

Avuncular Relationship - The genetic relationship between nephews and nieces and their aunts and uncles. 

Awn Hair - The awn hairs form the middle coat. They act to keep protect the down hairs & also insulate the cat.  

B

Back Cross - Mating back to the parent. Symbolised as BC.

Bacteria - Single celled life form. Most well known for their ability to cause disease, however not all bacteria are harmful or dangerous. In fact, some bacteria are helpful to life on earth. They break down waste products & assist in keeping the fauna at check in the body. 

Bacteriocidal - Capable of killing bacteria. 

Bacteriolytic – Capable of lysing bacteria, always bacteriocidal.

Bacteriophage - A virus whose host is a bacterium, commonly called phage.

Bacteriostatic - Capable of inhibiting bacterial growth. 

BAL - Balinese. 

Balance - Referring to a cat that's structure is proportional according to the breed standard.

Barr body - The condensed single X-chromosome seen in the nuclei of somatic cells of female mammals. Base pair a pair of hydrogen-bonded nitrogenous bases (one purine and one pyrimidine) that join the component strands of the DNA double helix.

Barring - Tabby striped markings.

Base Colour - The coat colour. This may be masked by the effects of the sex linked gene. 

BC Generation - Back Cross generation., the result of back-crossing.

BEN - Bengal.

Benign - Non cancerous. 

Bennie - Affectionate nickname for Bengal cats.

Benching - The area where the cat's cage is placed when it's not being judged at a show. 

Biochemical Genetics - The study of the relationship between enzymes and genes. 

Bicolour -  A patched colour & white cat. 

Biological Species Concept - The classification of organisms in the same species if they are plausibly able of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. 

Biota - The plant and animal life in a region.

Biomass - The amount of living matter present in a particular habitat.

Biotic - Living; Relating to life; caused or influenced by living organisms.

Bilirubin - A yellow-orange substance produced by the breakdown of haemoglobin from red blood cells.

Biotechnology - Biological research techniques to develop products which improve the health of animals, humans and agriculture. 

Bite - A term for the way a cat's jaws meet. The teeth should close together evenly when the bit is said to be a "level" or "even" bite. 

Black - A cat that has a black coat colour; The highly melanistic coat colour in cats that is the darkest of all coat colourations. In colour points it is called "Seal", in some tabbies, sepia and mink cats it may be referred to as "Brown", in other Sepia and mink cats it may be called "natural". 

Blasts - Immature blood cells.

Blaze - White colouring on the face usually in the shape of an inverted V.

Blood – A liquid substance that continually circulates through the body, which is made up of plasma, red blood cells (erythrocytes), white blood cells (leukocytes), and platelets; blood The most important function of blood is to transport oxygen to the body via haemoglobin (in the red blood cells).  Blood also circulates away waste matter and carbon dioxide, and brings nourishment, electrolytes, hormones, vitamins, antibodies, and heat. Cats have 3 blood Blood Type.  See Blood types.

Bloodline - Pedigree of a cat. The feline equivalent of a family tree. 

Blood Serum - The pale yellowish fluid which exudes from the clot formed in the coagulation of the blood. The liquid portion of the blood, after removal of the blood corpuscles and the fibrin. 

Blood Type - An AB system is used in cats.  Cats have three blood groups.  The red blood cell proteins are: Type A antigen, Type B antigen, Type AB antigen.  If your cat needs a blood transfusion it must have the right blood type.

Type A - Type A antigen; Type A blood; N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid
Type B -  Type B antigen; Type A blood;  N-acetyl-neuraminic acid
Type AB - Type AB antigen; Type AB blood; Both N-glycolyl-neuraminic acid and N-acetyl-neuraminic acid

Blotched Tabby - See Classic Tabby. 

Blue - Colour used to describe a cat's coat. Blue is the dilute of black & appears as a grey/slate colour. This varies from cat to cat & breed to breed. Here are two examples of blue cats. 

Blue Burmese             Blue DSH

BML - Burmilla.

Boar Cat - Early name for a tom cat. 

Boarding Cattery - A establishment where cats are cared for when their owners are away.

Bone Marrow - The soft, spongy tissue inside bones. Around 95 percent of the body's blood cells are developed and stored here.

Break - The indentation of a cat's nose. 

Breeches - Longer hair on the back of the upper hind legs.

Breed Numbers - A numbering system that is used to identify breed types and colours according to the set breed number used by the registration body.

Breeding Value - The value of a cat (organism) with in a breeding program.  Can also be referred to as the additive genetic value of the cat (organism).

BRI - British Shorthair.

Brindled - A tortie with intermingled colours - See Tortie.

Brindling - Coat colour which is a mix of black & orange, or blue & cream (dilute). 

Brush - A term for a cats tail, usually reserved for long haired cats.

Breed Standard - Characteristics of a breed as set out by the cat associations. 

Breed True - Offspring who closely resemble their parents. 

Breech Birth - Born feet first. 

Breed Quality - A cat who closely matches the breed standard & is of a quality to be used in a breeding programme. 

British Tick - Archaic name for Abyssinian.

Broad heritability (H2) - The total proportion of phenotypic variation in a population that is caused by genetic variation in the organisms.

Bronchus - One of the large passages taking air to and within the lungs.

Buff - When a cat rubs its facial glands on an object. 

Bull Dog Stance - The gait of a cat that has a broad chest and legs appear to be slightly bowed outwards, as in the Devon Rex.

Bulls Eyes - Circular pattern on the classic tabby coat resembling bulls eyes.

BUN - Blood urea nitrogen. The BUN test measures the amount of nitrogen (a waste product) in the blood. This test is usually performed to see how well the kidneys are functioning.  

BUR - Burmese.

Butterfly - Pattern on the classic tabby coat around the shoulders resembling a butterfly.

Butterfly Rex - Archaic name for Devon Rex. 

C

Cabbit - Mythical animal. Cross between a cat & a rabbit. 

Caesarean Section - An operation performed by a veterinarian to remove the queens litter when she is unable to give birth to them naturally. 

Calico - An American term for Tortie and white. See Tortie and white.

Calling - Vocalisation by female cat in heat. 

Cameo - The coat pattern of a cat that has a white agouti banding with red or its dilute cream and tortoiseshells on the outer portion of the hair. A cameo is either a red/cream silver tabby, red/cream shaded or red/cream tipped (shell). See Shell, shaded, silver tabby. 

Carpal Pads - Pads on a cats front wrists that help to prevent it from sliding or slipping when jumping "Anti skid pads". 

Carrier - A cat who is heterozygous for a particular recessive gene.

Carrier  - A cat (organism) whose genotype includes a recessive allele that causes disease, but who does not have the disease themselves.

Castration - Surgical removal of the male cat's testicles. 

Catabolism – the biochemical processes involved in the breakdown of organic or inorganic compounds, usually leading to the production of energy. 

Catalogue - The official record of all cats entered into a particular cat show.

Cataract - Clouding of the natural lens of the eye. 

Cat Collector - Somebody who collects far more cats than they can possibly care for. 

Catecholamine - Any of a group of chemicals including epinephrine and norepinephrine that are produced in the medulla of the adrenal gland.

Caterwaul - The cry of a cat during calling time. 

Cat Fancy - People who are members of a cat association who breed & or show their cats. 

Cat Run - An enclosed outdoor area where cats can have access to outdoors in safety without being allowed freely roam.

Cat Show - An event were cats are shown and judged.

Cattery - A registered cat breeder, also a place where cats are boarded. 

Cattery Name - A name registered with the cat registering body to identify cats bred by the breeder/s. The breeders name appears as a prefix on the names of the cats. Occasionally a suffix will also be added to show the cat is owned by another cattery.

Caudal -  The tail or rear end.

CBC - Complete blood count. 

CCCofA - Co-ordinating Cat Council of Australia.

CFA - Cat Fanciers Association.

CHA - Chartreuse. 

Champion - The title of a cat that wins at a number of shows.

Characteristics - Features or traits that are defined by the breed standard of a cat. 

Chemosis - Conjunctival swelling which can be severe enough to protrude between the lids.

Chimera - An animal formed from the fusion of two fertilised eggs. As a result, they have two different types of DNA. Tortoiseshell males are sometimes Chimeras. 

Chinchilla - Referring to the coat pattern where the hair lacks the normal agouti banding pattern, and instead has very wide bands that that make the majority of the coat white except at the very tips which show the base colouration (black, blue, chocolate etc.) ; Called Shell when red/cream colouration is involved; A Chinchilla is a Persian cat that has chinchilla or tipped pattern; Genetically they are silver tabbies and their base colour (black/chocolate/cinnamon and their dilute forms) with modified agouti banding. See Tipped. 

Chintz Cat - An archaic term for a tortoiseshell and white.

Chocolate - Coat colour ranging from a milk chocolate to a warm chestnut brown. 

Cinnamon – Colour of various cats coats i.e. as in the Abyssinians. Reddish brown in colour.

Clade - All descendants of any given species. A single whole branch of a phylogeny.

Cladogenesis - Evolutionary process where one species splits into two or more species. See anagenesis.

Classic Tabby - A coat pattern in a cat that has tabby markings that form a "bulls eye" on each side of the body with a swirl of colour surrounded by bold, wide bands of the same colour, with no lines going down the side (like a Mackerel tabby). This pattern is sometimes called a blotched tabby or "egg and ham" (after the markings). 

Clavicle - Collarbone. 

Closed Show - A show in which spectators (both exhibitors and paying public) are excluded until the completion of judging. or the scheduled time for admittance.

Close-Lying - A term used when describing a coat in a cat that is lying very close to the skin.

Clotting - The sealing of a blood vessel with coagulated blood.

Clowder - A group of cats.

Clutter - Same as Clowder.

Coagulant – A substance that assists in coagulation of the blood.

Cobby - A compact body.

Codominance - Two genes express themselves equally. As in the Tonkinese coat pattern.

Coital Crouch - Squatting position the female in heat displays when she is receptive to the male.

Coitus - Mating. 

Colony - A group of cats living wild outside, i.e., a colony of feral cats

Colostrum - First milk produced by the mother, this is thick, yellowish in colour & rich in nutrients & antibodies. Colostrum contains less lactose than usual. 

Colour Class - A divisions created by cat associations to classify certain types of coat colours or patterns for shows, such as shaded, colour points, selfs, etc.

Colour point - A coat pattern on a cat that is controlled by the colour point alleles (cs/cs) e.g.. Siamese. A cat with these alleles has highly thermo-liable tyrosinase and thus results in a coat pattern that has normal pigmentation (colour) on the tail, legs, face and ears, and a white or ivory coat on the body. The colour point alleles are the most thermo-liable tyrosinase of cats from the Himalayan series. See Himalayan Series. 

Concaveation - Spayed female cat that produces milk in response to a suckling kitten. 

Conditional-lethal mutation - A mutation that is lethal under particular conditions and not lethal under other conditions.

Conditional Mutation - A mutation that has wild type phenotype under particular (permissive) environmental conditions and mutant phenotype under other (restrictive) conditions. 

Conformation - How well a pedigree cat fits their breed standard Standard in terms of the structure, type, colour and pattern etc. 

Congenital - A characteristic which is present at birth. It may be inherited from one or both parents or have developed in the womb. 

Confirmation - The physical type of the cat, including coat length, colour, bone structure, facial type, eye colour & other factors.

Conjunctiva - The mucous membrane that lines the visible part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid.

Conjugation Reaction – Important metabolism reaction for drugs.

Conjunctivitis - Inflammation of the conjunctiva. The cause is either infectious or allergic. Other symptoms include burning, discharge, dryness, itching, light sensitivity, discomfort, stickiness, tearing and chemosis. 

Contraindication – When a drug should NOT be used.

Convergence Breeding -  A  breeding method that involves the reciprocal addition to each of two inbred lines of the dominant favourable genes lacking in one line and present in the other.

Cornea - The outer part of the eye that provides around 70% of the eye's refractive power. It is the transparent front "window" of the eye that covers the iris and pupil, and provides most of the eye's optical power. 

Cow Hocked - A term used when describing the hind legs in a cat that appear to bend towards the center; knock-kneed like a cow, causing the feet to turn outwards.

CPC -  Colour Point Carrier.

Crackles (respiration) - The sound of rales.

Cream - A sex (X Chromosome) linked coat colour in a cat that is a dilute of the red coat colouration in cats; a lighter version of red; a beige or buff coloration.

Cross Breed - Offspring produced by the mating of two distinct breeds. Ie: Persian x Burmese. 

Cross Resistance – resistance to a drug as a result of resistance developed to another (often similar) drug.

Creatinine Clearance - Test of renal function. 

Crinklies - Affectionate nickname for a group of rex cats.

Cross-over - The exchange of genetic material between homologous chromosomes during meiosis.

CRX - Cornish Rex.

Cytptorchid - A adult male cat whose testicles have not descended into the scrotal sac.

Culling - Rejection & or removal of inferior cats/kittens from a breeding programme. 

Culture Medium - An aqueous solution of various nutrients suitable for growth of microorganisms. 

Cyanosis - A bluish discoloration of the skin that is caused by lack of oxygen in the blood. 

Cytochrome P 450 – Most important enzyme system in the liver responsible for breaking down drugs and other chemicals.

Cytogenetics - The study of chromosomes. 

Cytoplasm - the protoplasm of a cell excluding the nucleus. See Protoplasm.

D

Dam - Female parent.

Dander - The tiny particles or flakes of skin, hair or feathers of all warm blooded animals, such as cats, dogs, rodents, and birds.

Deciduous Teeth - The primary or "baby" teeth.

Declawing - Surgical removal of the cat's claw & first joint, including bones, joints & ligaments.

Deletion - The loss of a segment of genetic material from the chromosome.

Deme  - A locally interbreeding population.

Denaturation - Irreversible destruction of a macromolecule, as for example the destruction of protein by heat. 

De novo - 'From new' as opposed to inherited. A new mutation.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) - The large double-stranded molecule carrying the genetic code. Consisting of four bases (adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine), phosphate and ribose.

Dermis - The thicker layer of the skin just below the epidermis on most of the body. It is composed of collagen, connective tissue, blood vessels, nerves, sebaceous glands, hair follicles etc. Also called the corium. 

Developed Breed - A breed of cat that was developed by selective breeding and crossing of established breeds, domestic shorthairs, and or wild cats. e.g. Bengal, Australian Mist, Bombay, Ocicat etc.

Dew Claw - The first digit found on the inside of the leg above the front paws. 

Dicephalus - Congenital malformation resulting in the development of two heads. 

Digitigrade - Walking on tip toes, as seen in cats.

Dihybrid  - A cat (organism) that is heterozygous at two loci (2 traits).

Dihybrid Cross - A cross between two cats (individuals) identically heterozygous at two loci  E.g, AaBb/AaBb.

Dilution or Dilute - Referring to a lighter coat colour variation of a cats primary colour controlled by the Dilution alleles. i.e., Black becomes blue, chocolate becomes lilac, Cinnamon becomes fawn, and Red becomes cream.

Diploid  - Cats (organisms) that carry two copies of each gene. They are homozygous for the gene.

Diuretic - Agent which promotes urine production. 

Dm - Dilute Modifier Gene. 

DNA - Deoxyribonucleic acid.

Doctoring - Another world for neutering.

Doe Cat - Early term for a female cat. 

Dome - A term used when describing a forehead in a cat that is well rounded or domed out. 

Dominance - A gene which overrides itself over another gene at the same locus. 

Doming - Rounded forehead on the cat. 

Dorsal - The back (along the spine) of a cat or animal

Double Helix - The shape that two linear strands of DNA form when joined together.

Double Recessive - An individual who is homozygous for two pairs of recessive genes.

Down Hairs - The down hairs are the shortest, finest & closest to the skin. Their purpose is to keep the cat warm. 

DLH - Domestic Longhair (long haired mixed breed cat).

Drug Absorption - The process by which the unchanged drug proceeds from the site of administration into the blood. 

Drug Clearance - The volume of blood cleared of drug per unit time. Describes the efficiency of the irreversible elimination of drug from the body. 

Drug Disposition – refers to those processes which occur subsequent to absorption of a drug (i.e. distribution and elimination).

Drug Distribution - Process of reversible transfer of drug between one location and another (one of which is usually blood) in the body. 

Drug Elimination – the irreversible loss of drug from the body by the processes of metabolism and excretion

Drug Excretion – The irreversible loss of UNCHANGED drug from the body (e.g. in urine, faeces)

Drug Metabolism - The chemical modification of a drug (almost invariably enzymatically mediated)

DRX - Devon Rex.

DSH - Domestic Shorthair (short haired mixed breed cat).

Dystocia - A difficult or prolonged labour.

Dysphagia - Difficulty swallowing.

Dyspnea - Difficult or laboured breathing.

Dyspnea - Laboured or difficult breathing.

E

Ear furnishings -  Hair tufts of that grow around and in the ears.

Easy Mind System - A system used by FiFe to replace colour and breed names with a simple alphanumerical system. It is not genetically based nor does language create any barriers. The 1st part of the EMS code is written in uppercase and denotes breeds (e.g. BUR = Burmese). The 2nd part denotes recognised colour and uses letters in lower case (e.g. "b" is a chocolate). The 3rd part denotes patterns via a numerical code (e.g. 23 = mackerel tabby). The fourth part is used for eye colour specification and uses numerical values. (eye colour is left out for breeds such as Burmese, Siamese etc) . The 5th part is used for a few breed specific codes and is also numerical (e.g. 51 = rumpy Manx). Thus a Chocolate Silver tabby point Devon Rex would be DRX bs 21 33. 

Ebony - See black.

EC_{50 – Median effective concentration, concentration which gives ½ of the maximum effect.}

_{Eccrine Gland - Sweat gland found in the foot.} 

_{ECG - Electrocardiography. Graphic tracing of the electrical activity of the heart.} 

Ecogenetics - A branch of genetics that studies how (acquired or inherited) genetic factors influence human and animal susceptibility to environmental health risks. Ecogenetics interacts with ecology, molecular genetics,
toxicology, public health medicine and environmental epidemiology.

Ectoparasite - A parasite that lives outside it's host...ie: paralysis ticks. 

Ectropion - Eyelid falling away from the eyeball. 

ED_{50 – Median effective dose, dose which gives ½ of the maximum effect.}

Edema - The accumulation of excess fluid in the intercellular or interstitial tissue spaces or body cavities. 

Efficacy – Efficiency, refers to maximum response a drug can elicit, reflected by E_max

ELISA - Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. A test for the presence of antibody or antigen in the blood. 

E_{max – Maximum effect, measure of efficacy.}

Emesis - The act of vomiting.

Empyema - Accumulation of pus in a body cavity.

EMS - See Easy Mind System.

Endemic - A disease that is constantly present in low numbers in a population. Compare with epidemic. 

Endogenous - Coming from inside the body (the opposite of exogenous). 

Endometrium - The highly vascular lining of the uterus.

Endotoxin – a toxin not released from the cell, bound to the cell surface or intracellular, compare with exotoxin.

Enteric Coating – Tablet coating which protects the drug from being exposed to the stomach acid.

Entire - A cat that has not been desexed. 

Entropion - Turning inward of the eyelid against the eyeball. 

Enucleation - Removal of an eye.

Epidemic - A disease occurring in an unusually high number of individuals in a population at the same time. Compare with endemic. 

Epidemiology - Is the study of the distribution and causes of health-related events (including disease epidemics), with the aim of tracking down their cause and thus control health problems.

Epidermal cells - There are for distinct cell types in the epidermis. Keratinocytes (produce keratin and provide protection and immunity), Melanocytes (melanin/pigment cells), Langheran cells (from the bone marrow and have a role in immunity), and granstein cells that also have a role in immunity.

Epidermal Layers - The layers of cells, dead and alive, that make up the epidermis. They consist of the stratum corneum (horny layer), stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum germinitivum (basal layer). The germinitivim (deepest layer, at the base), where the cells reproduce and grow. i.e., melanocytes.

Epidermis ­ - The outermost layer of the skin. The epidermis contains no nerves or blood vessels, thus it is not capable of any sensation or bleeding. The epidermis is made up of a protective outer layer of non living keratin scale cells, and acts as seal against the environment. The epidermis contains keratinocytes (cells that make keratin) and melanocytes (cells that make pigment), as well as other specialized cells. See Epidermal layer, melanocytes, and keratin.

Epigenetic -  Changes in gene expression in an organism but without changing the DNA sequence of a gene.  E.g. chemical molecules called methyl groups attach to DNA and turn off a genes expression, and genomic imprinting, etc.

Epinephrine (Adrenaline) - a chemical (catecholamine) secreted by the adrenal medulla in response to stress; stimulates autonomic nerve action. 

Epiphora - Watering of the eye. 

Epistasis - The masking effect of one gene (the epistatic gene ) over another gene (the hypostatic gene). The phenotype will only show the epistatic gene.  As seen in white and red cats

Epistaxis - Bleeding from the nose. 

Erythrocyte/s - Red blood cell/s.

Erythristic - The coloration of an cat (animal) is unusually red.

Estrogen - The female sex hormone.

Estrus - Female cat who is fertile & receptive to the male. 

Etiology - Referring to the cause of a disorder or disease. 

EUR - European Shorthair.

Eumelanin - Is a from of melanin that produces the brown shades in cats. (Black, Chocolate, Cinnamon and there dilute forms) as defined by the genes present.

Euthanasia - Humanely ending a life, ie: putting your cat to sleep. 

Evisceration - Portions of the intestine protruding from an abdominal wound.

Evolution - The process that results in heritable changes in a population spread over many generations; Specifically it is change in the gene pool frequencies of a population from one generation on to the next; Genes mutate. Individuals are selected. Populations evolve.

Exhibition Only - Cat/s or kitten/s entered and displayed at a cat show, but are not scheduled for judging.

Exhibitor - A cat fancier that has entered their cat into a cat show.

EXO - Exotic Shorthair.

Exogenous DNA - DNA that originates outside an organism. 

Exons - The region of a gene that contains the code for producing the gene's protein. Each exon codes for a specific portion of the complete protein. In some species (including cats) a gene's exons are separated by long regions of DNA (named introns) that have no apparent function. See Introns. 

Exotoxin – A toxin released extracellularly, compare endotoxin.

Exogenous - Coming from outside the body (the opposite of endogenous).

Expiration (respiration) -  Exhalation.

Expression - The variation of the phenotype of a gene.

Expressivity - The range of phenotypes expressed by a genotype in a range of environmental conditions. 

Ex situ - In a location/position other than the original or natural location/position. 

Extreme - A pedigree cat that has or is extreme in confirmation or structure for its breed when compared to other cats of the same breed.

F

F1 - First filial generation.

F2 - Second filial generation.

Faeces - Bowel excretions. 

Fading Kitten Syndrome - Kittens that die within the first two weeks after birth. This may happen for varying reason such as malnourishment during gestation or postpartum, sub-clinical infections, blood type incompatibility, congenital malformation, large litters with not enough nipples for the number of kittens, or inability of a smaller kitten to compete with other kittens etc. There are many variable factors that may contribute to the death of a kitten, but in general the term "Fading Kitten Syndrome" is often used when breeders do not know why the kitten died as no necropsy was performed on the kitten or the necropsy failed to show a reason for the death of a kitten

Fallopian Tube - Another name for oviduct; leading the ovary to the tip of each uterine horn.

Familial Trait - A trait that is shared by members of a family.

Fawn - Used to describe coat colour in various breeds.

FCV - Feline calicivirus. 

Fecundity - Rate at which an cat (individual) produces offspring, usually expressed only for females .

FECV - Feline Enteric Coronavirus.

Fel D1 - An allergenic glycoprotein found in cats sebaceous glands.   Felis Domesticus 1 allergen (Fel D1) is the  primary allergen in cats.

Felid -  Referring to or about cats, feline; having traits similar to the cat; member of the Felidae family.

Felis - Scientific name for the genus that contains all species of small cats. 

Felis silvestris catus - Domestic Cat; Genus, Species, and group name for domestic cats, from the humble moggie, to the pedigree cat.

FeLV - Feline Leukaemia Virus.

Feral - Wild, untamed feline, of domestic desent. 

FeSV - Feline Sarcoma Virus.

Flehmening - The detection of small trace chemicals in the air using the Jacobson's Organ. The cat appears to sneer as it's doing this. 

FIA - Feline Infectious Anaemia. 

FiFe - Federation Internationale Feline de l'Europe. 

Filial - The generation or the sequence of generations following the parental generation. Usually shown as represented as a "F" . i.e. F1,F2 or F3. 

FIP - Feline Infectious Peritonitis.

FIV - Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (feline AIDS).

Fistula - Abnormal opening or passage between two hollow organs or structures.

Fixing - To fix a certain characteristic by selective breeding or inbreeding. 

Fluffies - Affectionate nickname for a group of longhaired or Persian cats.

FLUTD -  Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (same as FUS).

Foetus - The second stage of the unborn kitten, develops around 2-3 weeks of gestation.

Foreign - A cat with a body type that is fine boned, lithe, tubular, and elegant, e.g. Siamese.

Forward Mutation - A mutation that converts wild type genes to a mutant allele. See Reversion.

Foundation Cat - 

Founder Effect - A gene mutation seen in a high frequency in a particular population due to the presence of that gene mutation in a singular feline (ancestor) or small number of felines (ancestors).

FP - Feline Panleukopenia. 

Fractious Cat - A cat that attacks or is vicious towards someone. 

Freckles - See Lentigo Simplex.

Frost - Another name for the colouration found in cats called Lilac, Sometimes used for colour point cats. See Lilac.

f_{u – Fraction not bound to plasma protein, ratio of unbound and total concentrations of drug in plasma.}

Full Sib - Sister or brother with both parents in common. 

Functionalisation Reaction – Important metabolism reaction for drugs.

FUS - Feline Urological Syndrome (same as FLUTD).

FVR - Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis also known as Feline Herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1)

G

Gauntlets - See Mitted.

Gene - Basic unit of heredity. A hereditary unit that occupies a certain position on a chromosome, a unit that has one or more specific effects on the phenotype, and can mutate to various allelic forms.

Gene Dose - The number of copies of a particular gene present in the genome.

Gene Frequency - The proportion of genes at a locus represented by a particular allele.

Generation Interval - The time transpiring from reproduction in one generation to the time the next generation reproduces.

Generation Turnover - Time between parents producing offspring and those offspring reaching reproductive age

Genotypic Ratio - Ratio of genotypes in descendants  from matings involving parents with specified genotypes.

Gene Pool - Collective number of genes in a breeding population.

Genera -   The plural of genus, a group of similar species.

Generation - A collection of cats (organisms) born and living at the same time.

Genetic - Influenced or produced by genes.

Genetics - The study of genes via their variation.  The study of inheritance.

Genetic Contribution - A contribution of genetic material by a parent to her or his progeny.  A measurement of specified improvement in a breed/population for a particular trait such coat colour, fertility etc.

Genetic Drift - Random variations in gene frequencies resulting from gamete sampling, often more noticeable in small populations.

Genetic Load - The average number of lethal alleles per cat (organism) within a  breed (population). 

Geneticist Pedigree - A pedigree that not only shows the parental lineage (parents, grandparents etc.) but also shows related cats in the pedigree (cousins and their offspring, grandparents litter mates and their offspring, etc.). It is a tool to delineate genetic disease. A genetic pedigree can be as simple as close relative (parents and their litter mates and offspring) to as complex as a 20 year pedigree of a family, listing 100's and 100's of relatives and their litters produced by all matings. A geneticist pedigree marks carriers, multiple traits, death, birth dates using standard symbols. 

Genetic Variance - The phenotypic variation accredited to the diversity  in the genotypes of cats (organisms) in a breed (population). It is the total of the additive, dominance and epistatic variance.

Genocopy - The same phenotype/trait due to differing genetic causes.

Genotype  - The specific allelic structure of a cell, either of the entire cell or for a certain gene or a set of genes. The genes that a cat (organism) possesses.

Genotypic Frequency - The proportion of cats (organisms) in a given breed/population with a particular genotype.

Genus - A group of closely related species.

Gestation - Pregnancy.

Ghost Pattern/Marking - Faint tabby markings sometimes seen in the coat of solid coloured kittens. This pattern usually disappears as the kitten matures. Also see barring.

Gib - Early term for a male cat. 

Gilbert - Early term for a male cat. 

Gingivitis - Inflammation of the gums.

Glitter - This is used to describe the beautiful glitter appearance on a Bengal cat's coat. 

Gloves - See Mitted. 

Goggles - See Periocular Leukotrichia.

Golden - The coat pattern of a cat that has a golden agouti banding with with coloured hair (black, blue, chocolate etc.) on the outer portion of the hair. Goldens Chinchilla's or Tipped Goldens, refer to a cat with wide bands that make the majority of the coat golden or apricot in tone with only the very tips of the hair showing the base colour. Shaded Goldens refer to a cat with wide bands that make a large portion of the coat white with the base which show the base colouration starting almost half way down the hair shaft and extending to the tip; Genetically they are non silver agouti cats with modified agouti banding. See Silver.

Golden Siamese - Archaic name for Tonkinese. 

Gonads - Testes or ovaries.

Gram-negative cell – a prokaryotic cell whose cell wall contains relatively little peptidoglycan but has another membrane composed of lipopolysaccharide, lipoprotein and other complex macromolecules.

Gram-positive cell – a prokaryotic cell whose cell wall consists mainly of peptidoglycan and lacks the outer membrane of gram-negative cells.

Granulocytes - Is a type of white blood cell that helps the body fight infections. Types of granulocytes include: basophils, eosinophils, and neutrophils.