The Persian cat is one of the oldest and most desired breeds known. Due to its peculiar physical constitution, the Persian cat suffers from some recurring problems that we will inform you about in this article. What I have just commented on does not mean that Persian cats are sickly, since if the needs that their morphology requires are attended to correctly, they do not usually have problems.
In this article on our site we will inform you about the most common diseases of the Persian cat, so you can learn how to prevent them.
Write them down and don't forget to visit the vet regularly to make sure your cat's he alth is in perfect condition.
Trichobezoars
Persian cats are the feline breed with the longest and densest hair. Consequently, they are cats more prone to suffering from trichobezoars than other shorter-haired cats.
Trichobezoars are hairballs that form in the cat's stomach and digestive tract. Cats usually regurgitate hairballs, but sometimes they accumulate in the stomach. When this happens, cats have a very hard time, and it can even have serious consequences for the feline's he alth. The vet must intervene quickly to solve the problem.
To prevent trichobezoars you should comb your Persian cat daily, removing dead hair. M alt for cats should be given, or pharmaceutical paraffin oil to be able to evacuate the trichobezoars.
Polycystic kidney
Persian cats are a breed very prone to suffering from this disease, consisting of the development of cysts in the kidney area, which if left untreated they grow and multiply. It is estimated that 38% of Persian cats suffer from this hereditary disease.
For this reason, Persian cats should undergo annual ultrasound scans from the first 12 months of life. If it is observed that they have kidney cysts, the veterinarian will apply the corresponding treatment to alleviate the ailment.
In the event that no surveillance is practiced, it is common for affected Persian cats to collapse suddenly at 7-8 years of age, dying as a result of kidney problems.
Respiratory problems
If we look at the face of the Persian cat, we are immediately struck by how flat they are and their big eyes. Both characteristics sometimes produce collateral effects on the he alth of the feline.
The fact of having the snout so little pronounced causes its nasal passage to be very short and it is more sensitive to cold, heat, humid or dry environment. This affects the efficiency of your breathing. For this reason, Persian cats are not as active as other breeds, whose breathing is more efficient and allows them to better oxygenate their blood.
Heart problems
A consequence of lack of correct breathing is that sooner or later this circumstance translates into Heart problems. Obese Persian cats are more likely to suffer from these ailments.
A proven curiosity is that less than 10% of Persian cats suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. This anomaly is that the left chamber of the heart muscle develops more, which can cause the cat's sudden death. The curious thing is that this disease practically only affects male cats, leaving females very untouched by this disease.
Eye problems
The special shape of the Persian cat's eyes can also cause problems. Next we point out the most important:
- Congenital ankyloblepharon. This hereditary anomaly usually occurs in the blue Persian cat. It consists of the union by means of a membrane between the upper and lower eyelid.
- Congenital epiphora It consists of excessive tearing of the tear duct, which results in the oxidation of the hair in the eye area and the bacterial or fungal infection of the affected area. There are specific medications to alleviate this anomaly. It is an inherited disease.
- Entopion This is when the cat's eyelashes rub against and irritate the cornea as a result of the inversion of the eyelid margin. It causes excessive tearing, the cat has half-closed eyes and a corneal vascularization that produces ulcerations. It should be treated surgically.
- Primary Glaucoma. It consists of excessive blood pressure in the eye, the effect of which is translated into opacity and loss of vision. Must be treated by surgery.
Infrequent Problems
There are some rare problems among Persian cats, but they are worth knowing about.
- Oculocutaneous albinism This is an autosomal recessive trait that causes a mild kind of albinism that affects the cat's coat. lighter than normal. Where the effects of this anomaly are most obvious is that the cat suffers from photophobia and is more sensitive to infections. The vet should treat the symptoms.
- Skinfold dermatitis. It refers to the irritation of the cat's facial folds, as a consequence of excessive tear overflow.
- Oily seborrhea. Symptoms for your vet to treat include scaly, greasy skin.
- Patella dislocation. Causes lameness and prevents the cat from jumping without hesitation.
- Hip dysplasia. This is when the joint between the head of the femur and the hip socket fails. It produces lameness, reluctance to jump and pain when moving.
- Kidney Stones. Kidney stones that must be removed by surgery. 80% of obese Persian cats suffer from this condition.
