Health Issues Associated with the Shorthair Exotic

Cats are glorious creatures, independent, loving and affectionate when they are not curled up in a warm spot relaxing the day away that is. Taking care of a feline friend is a pleasure and extremely rewarding in many ways. Just sitting on a sofa watching a movie with a furry little friend is a lovely experience.

If you own a Shorthair Exotic, these cute little characters are a pleasure to have around but they do tend to suffer from a few hereditary and other health condition which are worth knowing about.

Knowing pet is prone to suffer from a condition makes it easier to recognise when they show any symptoms or when they are basically just not themselves. The sooner a vet can see your cat, the better because early treatment for many feline health issues means a better prognosis all round.

The most common hereditary health disorders seen in the breed are listed below and although not all cats might develop one or any of them, it is worth making a note of them for future reference.

Polycystic Kidney Disease – PKD

This is an hereditary health disorder the breed is more prone to suffer from and which affects their kidneys. Cysts form on them which, in a worst case scenario can cause kidney failure. Cats can be DNA tested for the condition and breeders are doing their best to eliminate all cats with the gene from their breeding programmes.

If you are thinking about getting a Shorthair Exotic kitten, make sure you ask the breeder for confirmation that their kittens have all been PKD tested and the results came back negative.

Oxalate Bladder Stones

Shorthair Exotics are also prone to developing oxalate bladder stones which is a painful condition where cats have to strain when they urinate. Often there is blood in it and cats continuously lick at their private parts. A vet would need to carry out a few tests to establish that it is oxalate bladder stones that's causing the problem and once diagnosed, they might attempt to resolve the problem with a course of antibiotics.

If a course of antibiotics fails to do the trick, stones may need to be surgically removed or a vet might suggest a less invasive way of taking them out but it all depends on the size of the stones. Vets normally recommend that a cat with the condition be fed wet food rather than dried which helps prevent any stones recurring.

Breathing Issues

Because of their flat faces, Shorthair Exotics may often have problems breathing which is why it's so important to keep an eye on them when the weather is hot during the summer months. Another point that's worth bearing in mind if you are thinking about taking your cat abroad with you, is that many airlines refuse to transport Shorthair Exotics in cargo holds which is never a good idea anyway, due to the fact the breed is so prone to suffer from respiratory disorders which could prove fatal.

Eye Disorders

The breed is also known to suffer from a few eye disorders. Again, the early a problem is treated, the more comfortable your cat would be made and with eye infections, they tend to be much easier to treat when caught early enough.

Skin Issues

Much like Persians, the Shorthair Exotic is also prone to suffer from skin disorders which is why grooming is so important. It means you pick up on a problem sooner rather than later. Diet often plays a part in being the trigger to many skin disorders, but you would need to discuss your concerns with a vet to get to the root cause of the problem so they can recommend a treatment.

Obesity

Another common health issue that vets often see Shorthair Exotics suffer from is obesity. These lovely little cats tend to be a bit on the couch potato side of things which means they are not as energetic as other cat breeds. With this said, they all too easily put on the pounds which if not controlled and managed, can lead to obesity.

Obese cats run the risk of developing all sorts of health issues which includes heart conditions. Studies have shown that overweight cats have much shorter lifespans too. This is why it's so important to keep an eye on a Shorthair Exotic's weight and if they are piling it on, to cut down on their rations and to encourage your furry feline friend to play more when you are at home with them.

Conclusion

The Shorthair Exotic is an adorable little cat that boasts a big personality and lovely looks. Like many pure breeds, they do tend to suffer from a few hereditary health disorders but not as many as other breeds. However, knowing your cat may develop a condition, means you can keep an eye out for any symptoms and if you are at all concerned, take your cat to the vet as soon as you can. As with most health disorders, the earlier a treatment can be started, the more comfortable your cat will be and as a rule of thumb the outcome is better too.