Birman cats are usually thought-about to be fairly wholesome. They have a protracted lifespan of 12 to 16 years, which is greater than most different cat breeds. However, that doesn’t imply they’re fully free from well being issues. Just like every cat, Birmans can develop well being issues all through their life.
Here are a number of the commonest Birman cat well being issues try to be conscious of:
1. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
This coronary heart illness is among the commonest coronary heart illnesses in cats. It impacts the thickening of the guts muscular tissues. As a cat’s coronary heart partitions thicken, it may well’t pump blood as successfully. The cat begins to grow to be torpid, quick respiration, and will even reduce weight.
This situation is widespread throughout all breeds, together with Birman cats. Careful breeding can go a protracted option to stop it, but it surely isn’t foolproof. Therefore, any cat can find yourself with feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Luckily, this situation will be managed with remedy. However, early analysis is vital.
2. Hemophilia
Birman cats are typically more healthy than most, but it surely’s nonetheless vital that they’re taken to the vet usually.
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Hemophilia is a severe clotting situation. Simply put, it causes the cat’s blood to not clot correctly, resulting in extreme bleeding. As you would possibly guess, this may be doubtlessly lethal in excessive conditions.
Luckily, hemophilia is extraordinarily uncommon. However, it does appear to happen in Birman cats extra typically than in different breeds. It’s inherited, so this could make sense.
There isn’t a treatment for this situation. That stated, if you realize your cat has it, early intervention when injured and particular care throughout surgical procedures might help stop problems.
3. Polycystic Kidney Disease
Again, this situation happens throughout many various breeds. It’s no totally different for Birman cats. While it doesn’t happen in Birman cats as typically as different cat breeds, they’ll nonetheless inherit it.
Polycystic kidney illness causes cysts to kind inside a cat’s kidneys. Eventually, these cysts build up, resulting in kidney failure. It isn’t curable. However, genetic testing can determine carriers and forestall kittens from inheriting it. It’s vital to solely buy kittens from high quality breeders because of this.
4. Hypotrichosis
Unlike most different situations on this record, hypotrichosis isn’t lethal. It is a genetic situation that causes hair loss and thinning. Many cats will ultimately go bald. However, different cats will inherit this illness and hardly lose any hair in any respect.
Either manner, affected cats usually reside a traditional lifespan and don’t appear all that bothered. Their pores and skin is delicate, although, so that they usually must be handled like a hairless cat. That means bathing, sunscreen, and lotion.
It requires a bit of additional care, however not almost as severe as different well being situations.
5. Eye Problems
While all Birman kittens are lovely, it’s vital to buy from a high quality breeder to forestall inherited issues.
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Birman cats will be vulnerable to cataracts, eyelid agenesis, and corneal sequestration. All of those situations are widespread in many various cat breeds, so that they aren’t distinctive to Birman cats. However, out of all of the well being situations cats can get, eye issues are a number of the commonest.
Having your cat’s eyes checked by your vet usually is vital. Most of those situations are fully curable or a minimum of managed. However, early analysis is vital.
6. Feline Infection Peritonitis
FIP is an infectious, viral illness that isn’t curable. It happens most frequently in younger cats, however it is because it isn’t treatable. This illness has many strains, and a few are extra severe than others. About 90% of all strains are fully innocent, whereas the opposite 10% are lethal.
Currently, about 50 to 90% of cats will find yourself with some type of FIP an infection – however most of these cats received’t present signs. Cats from sure breeds are extra vulnerable to growing troublesome FIP, together with Birman cats. Felines from related ancestries, like Himalayans, are additionally in danger.
Stressed cats and felines in multi-cat households are significantly in danger for FIP. Genetic elements are regarded as concerned, however we don’t know precisely how this works.
7. Common Cat Diseases
Birman cats are additionally vulnerable to different widespread feline sicknesses, like urinary tract infections and dental illness. While these situations are particular to the Birman breed, they’re widespread in all cats, so you need to be careful for them while you personal a Birman, too.
Getting your cat common vet care is crucial to holding them wholesome. You also needs to watch your Birman for any unusual behaviors, reminiscent of inappropriate urination and extreme hiding. These could be the solely indicators of sickness that you just get, as cats are notoriously superb at hiding their sicknesses.
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