The overall health of feline breeds is a vital aspect to factor in before adopting a kitten. While cats start suffering from certain ailments and conditions as part of getting older, others are predisposed to some diseases owing to genetics.
Most breeds, like those discussed below, have an average lifespan of at least ten years, which classifies them as healthy. Anyhow, they’re still bound to cope with some medical issues.
Get familiar with the most common issues in the following breeds.
Siamese
In general, Siamese felines are a healthy breed with a lifespan of fifteen to twenty years. Nevertheless, some of the greatest risks associated with their well-being include amyloidosis, asthma, progressive retinal atrophy, dental disease, hip dysplasia, and mediastinal lymphoma. Go here for some useful advice on diagnosing feline retinal disease.
For instance, amyloidosis refers to a liver disease that stems from the accumulation of protein in different organs. This condition prevents the organs from working properly, which in turn causes damage to the liver and kidney failure. Conversely, the Siamese are prone to progressive retinal atrophy, which gradually progresses to blindness. When suspecting such an issue, consult a veterinary ophthalmologist for diagnosis and advice.
Additionally, the majority of Siamese felines tend to suffer from asthma, affecting the flow of air through their airway. The options for treatment include bronchodilator therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs. Hip dysplasia is another medical condition the Siamese are genetically predisposed to, triggered by an abnormality in the hip joint development.
Regarding cancer, Siamese felines might develop mediastinal lymphoma, which results in fluid accumulation in the lung area. In contrast, individuals should also take good take of the teeth of their Siamese companions to prevent the development of dental disease.
Scottish Fold
Another predominantly healthy pet with a lifespan of 11-14 years is a Scottish fold. The ears of these gorgeous creatures are meant to fold forward due to genetics when kittens are 21 to 28 days old. Such ear folding occurs because of a mistake in cartilage production. Scottish folds shouldn’t be bred to each other, given the risk of osteodystrophy.
Furthermore, osteodystrophy increases the vulnerability of Scottish folds to misshapen toes, arthritis, and thick tails. The most effective way of preventing osteodystrophy from happening is by breeding them with American or British shorthairs. Owners should regularly check their ears for wax buildup and clean them from debris.
Scottish Folds aren’t exactly active if compared to other more energetic breeds, which increases the risk of obesity. Hence, owners should do their best to encourage them to play and prevent them from eating too many treats. Follow this link, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scottish_Fold, to gain insight into the history, characteristics, health, and genetics of Scottish folds.
Turkish Van
Another healthy cat breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 17 years is the Turkish Van. Generally, Turkish vans aren’t susceptible to genetic issues and health defects specific to their breed. While the Turkish Angora breed has deafness issues, this isn’t the case with the Turkish Van. While some are reported to develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, this heart disease isn’t proven to be inherited.
As Turkish vans get older, pet parents must keep an eye on the most frequent feline health issues, such as arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, etc. Some adjustments need to be made to their diets to prevent them from becoming obese. Regarding the procedure of neutering, if possible, Turkish Van owners should delay it until they turn one year of age. An early hormone level adjustment is suspected to affect the way in which their muscles and bones grow.
Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is a gorgeous and healthy cat breed with several health issues to be aware of. The lifespan of these stunning creatures is 13-16 years. The most common conditions affecting Egyptian Maus are patellar luxation and periodontal disease in the process of aging. For example, patellar luxation causes lameness to the limb as the knee cap is removed from the femoral groove.
Besides patellar luxation, the Egyptian Mau might suffer from cardiomyopathy, asthma, dystocia, pyruvate kinase deficiency, urolithiasis, etc. PK deficiency is a genetic medical condition triggering anemia and causes lethargy, weakness, and weight loss in some cats.
Urolithiasis is a term that stands for the formation of stones/cysts in the urinary tract. These cause urination difficulties and overwhelming pain, along with urinary blockages. Neutered Egyptian Mau males between four and six years of age are at elevated risk of experiencing urolithiasis. The high incidence of this medical condition in Egyptian Maus indicated genetic origin.
In addition, it’s worth remembering that this breed has a greater sensitivity to anesthesia than most feline breeds. Owners should be aware of this before agreeing to a procedure that requires sedation.
Devon Rex
Devon Rex cats typically live between nine and fifteen years, which makes them predominantly healthy. By taking an interest in the history of cat breeds, one can learn much about their health. Nevertheless, these alien-like felines are at risk of developing hereditary myopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, patellar luxation, and dislocating joints. Also, the lack of hair makes their skin vulnerable to sunburns.
Hereditary myopathy affects the function of muscles, whereas hypertrophic cardiomyopathy thickens the heart muscle. The breeder is expected to provide you with a health guarantee to avoid frequent trips to the vet.
To sum up
A healthy cat will be your long-term companion.
Minimize his/her ailment risks!