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2023 Author: Alex Livingston | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-26 11:39
The Siberian cat is exposed to the risk of several diseases, most of which are hereditary and have been passed down from generation to generation. Fortunately, many of them can be treated by a veterinarian, who will restore the animal to full health. Now let's see in detail what the health problems that the Siberian cat can run into.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM (from Hypertrophic Cardiomiopathy) is the more widespread heart disease among cats. It results in the thickening of a part of the heart muscle at the left ventricle; in the long run it can be fatal because the heart, subjected to a greater effort than normal, weakens to the point that it is no longer able to pump blood adequately. This disease can affect all domestic cats, but Siberians are more exposed than other breeds at the risk of developing it, even at an early age.
Polycystic kidney
It is a disease that affects older cats more than anything else and consists of a progressive one degeneration of the kidneys with advancing age. The presence of enlarged and malfunctioning kidneys is generally a sign of this problem.
Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary disorder that causes cysts to form as soon as the kitten is born. Over time the cysts enlarge and fill with fluid, gradually reducing the function of the kidneys. Symptoms are usually weight loss, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, excessive urination. It is possible to diagnose this condition in kittens as early as 6 months of life, but being a hereditary disorder there are no preventive measures to be implemented to prevent them from succumbing to the disease: at its most severe stage the kidney is totally compromised and there are no effective remedies.
Cancer
The genetic form of cancer appears to affect only pure specimens of this breed. Hereditary cancer is particularly common among the descendants of some lines of white Siberians, but further studies are needed to confirm its presence in specimens of other colors.
Although hereditary cancer is a real risk in these cases, a timely diagnosis makes adequate treatment possible: a balanced diet and regular medical checks are absolutely recommended.
Bladder stones and FLUTD
Bladder stones can form at an early age or as the cat gets older. The veterinarian will make sure to remove them by surgery or dissolve them at least partially with appropriate drug therapy.
The Siberian also suffers very often from Lower Urinary Tract Syndrome or FLUTD (from Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease). It is important to know the animal's family tree to know if the parents (or their parents) have developed this disease, which actually includes a whole series of disorders (stones, occlusions and urinary tract infections).
If the disorder involves the bladder, symptoms will include blood in the urine (hematuria), pain / strain in urination, urinary tract infection, tendency to urinate in unusual places and to lick one's genitals. Fortunately, this is a vet treatable problem.
Periodontitis
All cats can suffer from periodontitis, but Siberians are particularly at risk of developing it. If your cat's health begins to deteriorate due to this condition, the only way to fight the infection and give relief to the animal is the extraction of the tooth.
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