Persian cat health
problems? Ultra Persian
cat
this cat is here
to simply illustrate the page - photo by ~Sage~
Do Persian cats
suffer from health problems?
Well, yes and no.
You can
read about them
here. But don't
make the presumption that Persian cats are all automatically unhealthy
- they are not. It
really depends in my opinion on the breeders (if you buy from a
breeder) and how they deal with the health issues raised here. And also
we should remember that the Himalayan
cat breed is simply a pointed Persian so what is said here applies
to that cat breed too.
The
difference between Ultra Persians and Traditional
Persians is the
effect breeding has had on their facial appearance and underlying bone
structure. They have a "brachycephalic" skull - short and round with a
flat face. See: cat head
shape for the range of shapes of different breeds. See also a discussion
on the change from trad to extreme.
So, in answer to the question as to whether the Traditional
is more healthy than the Ultra, the answer is "yes" (that
doesn't mean all
Traditional Persians are more
healthy). As mentioned, this
is because of the health issues associated with the "Pekingese" look
of the contemporary Persian cat (as the CFA described it in 1969 - the
dog equivalent is the Pekingese).
These issues are breathing and sinus
problems and, as described on this page, tear
duct overflow.
Other
health problems caused by this unnatural head and face are "abnormal
alignment of the teeth, and impaired respiration....compaction of the
teeth....overshot lower jaw"1. Although not
really a Persian cat health problem, the very thick, dense and long
coat requires "a great deal of daily care.."1.
If not health problems could ensue. This last point could apply to
traditional and extreme cats.
Update
Sept. 2010: Richard lives with a 3 month old ultra Persian and
refers to his problems with Persian cat health problems: My
Little Magpie.
Important:
please go to the base of this page to see the sources of this
information, which discusses potential Persian cat health problems. I
only use quality, authoritative and informative sources.
Update
March 2011: Persian cats have a predisposition to cancerous eye
tumors and basal cell carcinomas that are malignant - see Cat Skin Cancer.
Persian
cat health problems can take
the following form, nostril
constriction,
cherry eye, tear duct overflow, dental malocclusions, polycystic kidney
disease, entropion, and seborrhea oleosa.
An inherited
disease
exists within the Persian cat breed. The disease is called Progressive
retinal atrophy (PRA). It causes blindness. It affects other mammals
including humans. It is early onset in Persians. Read about Bengal
cats and PRA.
Below, I focus on two health issues, polycystic
kidney disease and tear duct overflow as common Persian cat health
problems.
PKD1
Quick read reference Persian
cat health problems
PKD1
Polycystic Kidney Disease
PKD1 has
gone unnoticed for many
years and has
spread throughout the
Persian
breed.
In
Persians, the condition has been shown to be inherited as a single
autosomal (any
of the chromosomes other
than the sex-determining chromosomes)
dominant gene
It
is estimated that over
37% of Persians have PKD1, a
breed that accounts for
nearly 80%
of the cat fancy.
PKD1
is most common in the Persians and breeds that are related to Persians
or have used them in breeding programs
Other
breeds may have inherited PKD1 from an accidental use of either a
purebred or random bred cat that had the heritable form of PKD1
Generally,
50% of PKD1 positive cats' offspring will inherit PKD1
It
is slowly progressive disease
It
shows up later in the cat's life at on average 7 yrs of age - a late
onset renal disease
The
cysts in the kidneys are in existence from birth and become visible
early in life
It
results in kidney enlargement and dysfunction
The
cysts grow and enlarge the kidney resulting in kidney failure
Kidney
failure is certain if and when the cysts grow
Symptoms
are:
depression
lack of
appetite
excessive
thirst
excessive
urination
weight
loss
Diagnosis
PKD
is most easily diagnosed by ultrasound, which can identify the disease
very early in its course.
When
carried out by experienced personnel using proper equipment, ultrasound
diagnosis is 98% accurate after approximately 10 months of age.
What
can
be done?
Greatly
reduce this frequency by using ultrasound screening (and now DNA
screening) methods and improved breeding practices (see below).
Which
cats
should be tested?
British
Shorthair, Persians, Exotics, Scottish Fold, Himalayans and Persian
out-crosses only
What
can
owners and breeders do?
Testing
for Persian PKD1 can be performed as early as 2 weeks of age.
Cat owners will be able to
collect their own samples, without a veterinarian.
Wait
60 minutes if the cat has been eating, drinking or nursing before
sampling.
The
swabs are stable at room temperature indefinitely. They can be shipped
to any laboratory offering the test worldwide. Regular post can be used.
the
contacts page of
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is:-
http://www.vgl.ucdavis.edu/contacts.html
Breeders should visit
Dr
Lyons'
Website for advice on dealing
with this disease and to
take part in a survey:
http://faculty.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/faculty/lalyons/Sites/PKDDNAtest.htm
Also visit
CFA website.
Experts conclude
that Breeders need to work with scientist to reduce the occurrence of
this disease through a
breeding programme. I am sure
this is happening as this is
clearly one of the exotic Persian cat health problems.
Tear
duct overflow can occur in any breed of cat. However, because of the
very flat nature of the face of the exotic Persian cat, additional
causes for the failure of tears to drain away are presented. Here is a
quick read overview of one of the potential Persian cat health problems.
Tear
Duct Overflow
The
abnormal overflow of tears due to overproduction of tears or poor
drainage of tears. The tears overflow onto the face.
What
causes the overproduction?
Several causes:
infection
irritants
foreign
matter
allergies
What
obstructs drainage?
Several
possible causes, the ones listed
specifically relate to the peeked Persian and Himalayan breeds:
inefficient
drainage from partial closure of the drainage openings
increased
kinking
of the drainage duct in the nose
wicking
of tears
onto hairs present in the crease where the eyelids
meet.
Abnormally small tear duct openings
shallow
tear lake at the inner corner of
the eye
What
are the symptoms?
Watery
discharge
from one or both eyes
Possible
tear
staining on face below the eye, near the nose
Accumulation
of
dried discharge on the edges of the eyelids
Ulceration
and
irritation of the skin below the eye, near the nose
Persian
cat health problems - Updates 7th May 2009:
I have mentioned
genetic diseases in purebred cats above. It is common knowledge that
the Persian as a purebred cat has a higher incidence of health issues
associated with genetic inheritance. PKD is one. Here are some more.
These are labelled as "recognized medical problems" associated with
this breed by Ross D. Clark DVM in his book, "Medical, Genetic
& Behavioral Aspects of Purebred Cats":
Chediak-Higashi
syndrome
(oculocutaneous albinism). Dr Clark says that this is a
"well-recognized" problem with Persian cats. It is an automsomalrecessive
trait. It caused lighter than normal hair color. The symptoms in
addition to the one mentioned are: photophobia, a tendency to bleed and
perhaps a heightened susceptibility to infection. Treatment is
symptomatic.
Congenital
ankyloblepharon
(in Blue Persians). This condition results in the joining of the upper
and lower eyelids by a membrane.
Entopion.
This is the inversion of the eyelid margin. The eyelashes rub and
irritate the cornea of the eye. This leads to excessive tearing,
squinting, corneal vascularization and ulceration. Treatment: surgery.
Congenital
epiphora.
This is the medical term for tear duct overflow referred to above.
Primary
glaucoma.
This is a elevation in the pressure in the eye whereby the eye becomes
unhealthy. It is caused because the rate of production of aqueous humor
(the liquid in the eye) is higher than the drainage of the liquid from
the eye. The eyes can bulge.
Skin
fold dermatitis.
Concerns the facial folds of the face. Wetting of the face due to tear
duct overflow contributes to the problem. The area should be kept clean
and dry. This is another of the Persian cat health problems.
Mannosidosis.
This medical condition concerns a component of cell membrane and body
fluids. Some cats are stillborn. Some have ataxia and central
neuropathy, slow righting and flexor reflexes, intention tremor and
strabismus from 3-7 months of age. Growth is retarded.
Urinary
tract stones.
Persian cats suffer a higher than average occurrence of urinary calculi
(small stones in the urinary system -the bladder). If small the stones
are often passed in the urine. If large they may have to be removed
surgically. The problem is worse for males. A plug can form. Medical
treatment will be urgently required if the urinary tract is blocked. Low magnesium cat food
(new window) is part of the treatment. Cats suffering from urinary
calculi are very often overweight (80%).
Seborrhea
oleosa.
A chronic skin disease causing scaly and greasy hair.
Yellowish clumps stick to the hair. The coat smells rancid. It can be
caused by providing homemade cat food that is poorly supplemented.
True
idiopathic
seborrhea.
A chronic disease that can be controlled. The skin becomes scaly and
crusty. Regular medical shampooing helps control the condition.
Shampooing with coal tars and salicylic acid must be avoided.
Supplementing a cat's diet with fatty acids, linoleic and arachidonic
acids will help.
Studtail.
Frequently occurring in sexually active males this is a seborheic skin
disorder on the tail. It is thought to be caused by hyperactivity of
modified glands of the tail.
Polycystic
renal
disease.
This is mentioned above.
Perinephric
pseudocysyts.
This is an accumulation of fluid around the kidneys. Treatment is
drainage of the cyst.
Neonatal
erythrolysis.
This is the destruction of red blood cells in newborn kittens. It
occurs when a queen has blood type B and the kittens have the more
common blood type A. It is one of the Persian cat health problems.
Patellar
luxation.
This disease can be found in conjunction with hip dysplasia. The knee
cap slides about to the sides. It can cause lameness and a reluctance
to jump.
Hip
dysplasia.
The hip joint pops out of the socket. Causes intermittent walking
abnormalities, lameness and a reluctance to jump.
Persian
cat health problems - Sources other than as stated above:
Information about Persian cat
health problems has been carefully researched from the following
sources.
1.
The Cat, Its Behavior, Nutrition and Health by Linda P Case page 25
pubished by Blackwell Pubishing ISBN 978-0-8138-0331-9 -- Note:
Linda says that cat associations have rejected the perpetuation of the
extreme Persian. As far as I can see this is not an accurate assessment.
