American Bobtail Cat health: common diseases of the breed
What are the common diseases that put the American Bobtail’s health at risk? Let’s find out how to take care of this cat.
Taking care of the health of our four-legged friend is essential to ensure that his life is long and peaceful. For this reason, it is important to know any pathologies that can put the cat’s well-being at risk and to know how to intervene. Here are the common diseases in the American Bobtail .
Common Diseases in the American Bobtail: The Complete List
The American Bobtail is a decidedly long-lived cat. The average length of his life, in fact, is between 15 and 18 years.
However, there are some pathologies to which this breed is more predisposed. Among the common diseases in the American Bobtail are:
Hip dysplasia;
Spinal pathologies;
Overweight.
Hip dysplasia
Among the common diseases in the American Bobtail is hip dysplasia.
This disease affects the joint that gets stuck in the cat’s femur head, causing damage to the cartilage. How to spot hip dysplasia in cats The animal tends to exhibit the following symptoms:
Ache;
Lack of balance;
Difficulty walking
Arching of the back;
Excessive muscle development
Reduction in movement and physical activity.
The methods of intervention in case of hip dysplasia depend on the stage of the disease. In the event that the disease is in the early stages, it will be possible to intervene with the administration of anti-inflammatories and with physiotherapy sessions.
If the damage is particularly extensive, the cat may need to undergo surgery to restore the joint in its place.
Spinal diseases
Given the peculiar tail of this breed, due to the presence of the Manx gene, among the common diseases in the American Bobtail there are a series of deformations affecting the spinal column.
The most common is spina bifida. It is a congenital malformation that prevents normal development of the vertebrae, leaving the bone marrow exposed.
This pathology, in turn, exposes the cat to the risk of contracting meningitis and inflammation. Among the main symptoms of spina bifida are:
Incontinence;
Hypersensitivity;
Ache;
Weakness;
Lack of balance
Paralysis.
In some cases, cats with the malformation may undergo surgery to reconstruct the vertebrae. Most situations, however, are irreversible.
Overweight
Finally, the accumulation of excess weight closes the list of common diseases in the American Bobtail.
In fact, although the specimens of this breed are not particularly greedy, they are predisposed to being overweight in cats .
This condition, in turn, can cause a variety of problems, compromising your kitty’s health. Among the most common pathologies due to the accumulation of excess weight are:
Diabetes;
Arthritis;
Disorders of the urinary tract, such as cystitis or chronic renal failure;
Skin diseases. For this reason, it is not only essential to carefully plan which nutrients to let your cat take in, through a healthy and balanced diet, but also to dedicate yourself scrupulously to the hygiene of your four-legged friend.
