While reputable breeders take precautions to ensure they are producing healthy cats, there’s still the possibility that your Exotic Shorthair cat could develop a few health issues down the line. This is why it’s important to know the most common health problems your cat could develop, and it’s also important to know the signs and the symptoms of these common health problems. In this list, we’ll give you a few of the most common health problems to look for in your Exotic Shorthair, as well as the signs and symptoms. If you feel that your cat is exhibiting any symptoms of any of the below conditions, it’s best to get them to a vet right away for treatment.
Top 5 Exotic Shorthair Cat Health Problems:
- Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Lethargy
Excessive elimination of urine
Excessive thirst
Vomiting
Weight loss
Poor hair coat
One of the common health issues you have to watch for in Exotic Shorthair cats is Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). The symptoms listed above are just a few of the symptoms you should watch out for. This condition is caused by improper kidney function and the kidneys of your cat being enlarged. While the cysts from this disease are usually present in kittens before they reach 12 months old, the kidney failure itself can present years later. There are DNA tests that can determine PKD, so make sure that your breeder can present proof that the kitten’s mother and father have been cleared from having it. Keep an eye on your Exotic Shorthair, and if you see any signs or symptoms of this disease, contact your vet right away.
- Eye Tearing
Redness and inflammation
Green, thick, yellow discharge
Overflowing tears
Injuries or scratches
Loose skin around the eyes
Something stuck between the eyelid and the eye
Eye tearing is pretty common for this cat breed. However, if it gets too bad, it can cause infections and other problems. There are many reasons for a cat’s eyes to be tearing up, including allergies or injury to the eye. Exotic Shorthairs are predisposed to watery eyes because of the shapes of their heads, round eyes, their short nose, and flat faces. While this is probably not something you need to worry about if you keep your cat’s eyes clean, if it gets bad, it’s best to contact your vet for diagnosis and possible treatment. Image Credit: Robyn Randell, Pixabay
- Respiratory Issues/Breathing Problems
Snoring
Loud breathing when inhaling
Panting often
Hard time eating or swallowing
Gagging and coughing
Hard to participate in physical activity
Because of their flat faces and short noses, it is possible for your Exotic Shorthair to have respiratory issues and breathing problems. Your cat will probably have issues breathing in very hot, humid weather. It’s best to keep your Exotic Shorthair in a climate-controlled environment, so it doesn’t have issues breathing or catching respiratory infections. Unfortunately, there isn’t much more that can be done since the cat’s genetics ensure they are going to have a short nose and a flat face. Keep an eye on your Shorthair, and if the problems seem serious, take them to a vet right away.
- Progressive Retinal Degeneration (PRA, PRD)
Night blindness
Dilated pupils
Retinal structure appears abnormal
Progressive Retinal Degeneration, also known as PRA or PRD, is another genetic disease that could affect your Exotic Shorthair cat. This is one of several eye disorders that your Exotic Shorthair might suffer from. Again, as with any of these conditions, acting quickly and early detection can go a long way towards treating the issue. Besides, these conditions seem to be much easier to treat when they are detected early. If you notice any symptoms of this disease in your cat, it’s best to get an appointment with your vet right away for treatment options. Image Credit: ardiwebs, Shutterstock
- Skin Issues
Red, flaky, itchy skin
Constant scratching
Skin problems in cats are pretty common, but they can be more so in the Exotic Shorthair cat. Because it has a thick, fluffy coat, it can easily get overheated, which can cause a whole variety of skin problems. If you suspect your cat of having a skin problem, then it’s best to get them to a vet. To prevent skin issues to begin with, make sure to groom your cat weekly and keep them brushed regularly as well.
Conclusion These are just a few of the most common issues you should look out for in your Exotic Shorthair cat. Remember, just because it’s possible for a cat to be genetically predisposed to have one of these health issues doesn’t mean that it will. It’s important to find a reputable breeder that will disclose any issues the parents of your little Exotic Shorthair might have from the beginning so you have no surprises in the future. Sources
Kidney Disease Caused by Multiple Cysts in Cats Why do My Cats Eyes Keep Watering? Breathing Problems in Short-Nose Breed Cats Retinal Degeneration in Cats 7 Common Skin Problems in Cats
Featured Image Credit: Ewa Studio, Shutterstock
While reputable breeders take precautions to ensure they are producing healthy cats, there’s still the possibility that your Exotic Shorthair cat could develop a few health issues down the line.
This is why it’s important to know the most common health problems your cat could develop, and it’s also important to know the signs and the symptoms of these common health problems.
In this list, we’ll give you a few of the most common health problems to look for in your Exotic Shorthair, as well as the signs and symptoms. If you feel that your cat is exhibiting any symptoms of any of the below conditions, it’s best to get them to a vet right away for treatment.
Top 5 Exotic Shorthair Cat Health Problems:
1. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
Lethargy
Excessive elimination of urine
Excessive thirst
Vomiting
Weight loss
Poor hair coat
- Lethargy
- Excessive elimination of urine
- Excessive thirst
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Poor hair coat
One of the common health issues you have to watch for in Exotic Shorthair cats is Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). The symptoms listed above are just a few of the symptoms you should watch out for. This condition is caused by improper kidney function and the kidneys of your cat being enlarged.
While the cysts from this disease are usually present in kittens before they reach 12 months old, the kidney failure itself can present years later.
There are DNA tests that can determine PKD, so make sure that your breeder can present proof that the kitten’s mother and father have been cleared from having it. Keep an eye on your Exotic Shorthair, and if you see any signs or symptoms of this disease, contact your vet right away.
2. Eye Tearing
Redness and inflammation
Green, thick, yellow discharge
Overflowing tears
Injuries or scratches
Loose skin around the eyes
Something stuck between the eyelid and the eye
- Redness and inflammation
- Green, thick, yellow discharge
- Overflowing tears
- Injuries or scratches
- Loose skin around the eyes
- Something stuck between the eyelid and the eye
Eye tearing is pretty common for this cat breed. However, if it gets too bad, it can cause infections and other problems. There are many reasons for a cat’s eyes to be tearing up, including allergies or injury to the eye.
Exotic Shorthairs are predisposed to watery eyes because of the shapes of their heads, round eyes, their short nose, and flat faces. While this is probably not something you need to worry about if you keep your cat’s eyes clean, if it gets bad, it’s best to contact your vet for diagnosis and possible treatment.
3. Respiratory Issues/Breathing Problems
Snoring
Loud breathing when inhaling
Panting often
Hard time eating or swallowing
Gagging and coughing
Hard to participate in physical activity
- Snoring
- Loud breathing when inhaling
- Panting often
- Hard time eating or swallowing
- Gagging and coughing
- Hard to participate in physical activity
Because of their flat faces and short noses, it is possible for your Exotic Shorthair to have respiratory issues and breathing problems. Your cat will probably have issues breathing in very hot, humid weather. It’s best to keep your Exotic Shorthair in a climate-controlled environment, so it doesn’t have issues breathing or catching respiratory infections.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much more that can be done since the cat’s genetics ensure they are going to have a short nose and a flat face. Keep an eye on your Shorthair, and if the problems seem serious, take them to a vet right away.
4. Progressive Retinal Degeneration (PRA, PRD)
Night blindness
Dilated pupils
Retinal structure appears abnormal
- Night blindness
- Dilated pupils
- Retinal structure appears abnormal
Progressive Retinal Degeneration, also known as PRA or PRD, is another genetic disease that could affect your Exotic Shorthair cat. This is one of several eye disorders that your Exotic Shorthair might suffer from.
Again, as with any of these conditions, acting quickly and early detection can go a long way towards treating the issue. Besides, these conditions seem to be much easier to treat when they are detected early.
If you notice any symptoms of this disease in your cat, it’s best to get an appointment with your vet right away for treatment options.
5. Skin Issues
Red, flaky, itchy skin
Constant scratching
- Red, flaky, itchy skin
- Constant scratching
Skin problems in cats are pretty common, but they can be more so in the Exotic Shorthair cat. Because it has a thick, fluffy coat, it can easily get overheated, which can cause a whole variety of skin problems.
If you suspect your cat of having a skin problem, then it’s best to get them to a vet. To prevent skin issues to begin with, make sure to groom your cat weekly and keep them brushed regularly as well.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the most common issues you should look out for in your Exotic Shorthair cat. Remember, just because it’s possible for a cat to be genetically predisposed to have one of these health issues doesn’t mean that it will.
It’s important to find a reputable breeder that will disclose any issues the parents of your little Exotic Shorthair might have from the beginning so you have no surprises in the future.
Sources
Kidney Disease Caused by Multiple Cysts in Cats Why do My Cats Eyes Keep Watering? Breathing Problems in Short-Nose Breed Cats Retinal Degeneration in Cats 7 Common Skin Problems in Cats
- Kidney Disease Caused by Multiple Cysts in Cats
- Why do My Cats Eyes Keep Watering?
- Breathing Problems in Short-Nose Breed Cats
- Retinal Degeneration in Cats
- 7 Common Skin Problems in Cats
Featured Image Credit: Ewa Studio, Shutterstock
