- - - 「 What is a vitiligo? 」 A vitiligo is a non-harmful skin condition in which skin loses pigmentation and makes the skin turn white or pale. If a cat had a vitiligo, it would make the fur lose pigmentation, and therefore give the fur the same pale look as the skin underneath. - - - 「 How does it affect someone? 」 Visually, it begins with little spots around the hands, face and feet, or in a cat's case, the paws and legs. Throughout life, it begins to grow, but generally remains in the same spot or same space as where it started. There are also multiple types of vitiligo. The most common type is generalized, which is where the vitiligo (mainly macules - spots over one centimeter wide) spreads across various places of the body. Sunburns may also be more painful on the skin because of the loss of melanin, which helps to protect the skin from sunburns. Someone might also develop emotional changes, feeling embarrassed about the way they look. - - - 「 How is it caused? 」 Though it is not confirmed, vitiligo can be caused by multiple reasons. One of which would be an autoimmune condition. This is when the body mistakes healthy cells (the melanin, which gives the skin color) and kills them, which results in a loss of skin color. Another possible reason could be it is just genetic. About 30% of all vitiligo cases are recorded to be genetically, meaning one of the parents had or have a vitiligo. - - - 「 How does someone cope with a vitiligo? 」 It is often common to protect the areas of the skin that have been affected, or to regain confidence, talk to other cats or people with vitiligo. - - - How will this affect my cat? She will feel like she is awkward and strange-looking going into her apprenticeship, she will try to make up for that by being a huge perfectionist and trying to be the best at everything and do everything better than her peers. She will look at everyone and everything around her to be a challenge. A way to prove herself. Later into her apprenticeship, she will find that her vitiligo isn't ugly or unearthly, but rather something to be cherished and appreciated, and she will begin easing up on her perfectionist tendencies, though she still is much more competitive than necessary. - - - 「 Sources 」 - https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12419-vitiligo - https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/vitiligo/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355916
