Aim: Van cats originate from eastern Turkey and they are a part of the national cultural assets. The most striking characteristic feature of the Van cats is the colour of their eyes (dischromatopsy). The aim of this study was to determine plasma aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase activities, total protein, albumin, glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, urea/nitrogen, and creatinin levels and the relation of these parameters with sex, age, eye colour and hair length in Van cats.

Materials and Methods: Healthy blood plasma, 47 Van cats (Van Cat House, Yuzuncu Yil University, Van), fed with standart cat food, were used. Cats were divided into groups based on sex (female-male), age (1-2; 3-4; above 5), eye colour (amber-amber, amber-blue, blue-amber, blue-blue, eyes described from left to right) and hair length (short; long). Plasma biochemical parameters were determined colorimetrically by spectrophotometry, with commercial kits.

Results: There was no difference between the parameters regarding with sex. Albumin levels were higher in the short-haired cats compared to the long-haired cats (p<0.05). As regards eye colours, blue-blue eyed cat plasma glucose levels were much higher from than in the other eye colour groups (p<0,001). In age groups, creatinin levels were lower (p<0.05) in 1-2 year-old cats compared to the other age groups.

Conclusions: Our results indicate that some of the plasma biochemical parameters of the Van cats may be related to their eyecolours, age and hair length. It also can be considered that the biochemical parameters obtained in the Van cat may be useful for the clinical diagnosis.