There are a variety of health problems that are common in Burmese cats. These health problems include Feline hyperesthesia syndrome, glaucoma, and Diabetes. Knowing what these problems are can help you care for your cat properly and prevent them from developing into serious health problems.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is a serious health issue that affects many cats. Your veterinarian may recommend a variety of treatment options to help manage the condition. These can include medication and behavior modification. The most common treatments include corticosteroids, flea medications, anticonvulsants, and anti-anxiety medications. Your veterinarian may also recommend behavioral modification programs to help your cat cope with the condition.
Some breeders of Burmese cats have been aware of the condition and are treating their kittens with bandages and other treatments. However, some breeders did not pass the information on to prospective pet owners. Consequently, a large number of cats may have been affected at an early age.
Hyperesthesia in cats causes an excessive amount of pain and sensitivity in the skin. Usually, the condition manifests itself in a thrashing of the tail and itchy skin. The cat’s pupils will also become dilated. This can cause the cat to become startled and run away.
Feline hyperesthesia syndrome is often a symptom of another health problem, such as a spinal condition or seizure disorder. It may also be caused by environmental stress. Since there are no specific tests for the condition, your vet will have to rule out other causes of your cat’s symptoms before making the diagnosis of FHS. Certain skin conditions such as Flea Allergy Dermatitis may also be associated with similar symptoms. Your veterinarian will likely want to check for fleas and if they find any, she will prescribe a special treatment to combat the problem.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease affecting cats. It is often caused by high blood glucose levels that cannot be controlled by diet alone. This occurs because body tissues have developed resistance to insulin. Insulin is produced by the pancreas, and released into the blood when the concentration of glucose in the blood falls. However, in some cats, the pancreas is exhausted and no longer produces enough insulin to control the blood glucose levels. This results in the condition known as diabetes mellitus. The most common form of diabetes in cats is insulin-resistant diabetes.
Burmese cats are known to be predisposed to diabetes. The causes of diabetes in these cats are not completely understood, but a genetic predisposition is suspected. The disease is more likely to develop in male cats and is linked to indoor confinement and decreased physical activity. Other risk factors for diabetes include aging and increasing weight. Interestingly, Burmese cats are 3.7 times more likely to develop diabetes than non-pedigree cats.
Despite the high prevalence of diabetes in Burmese cats, the genetic causes of the disease remain largely unknown. Nevertheless, a predisposition to diabetes in Burmese cats has been noted in certain families. Although the underlying genetics of diabetes are not known, the prevalence of this disease can be decreased by selective breeding from free-of-disease relatives.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma in Burmese cats is a common problem that can affect the cat’s vision. The first step in treatment is to diagnose the disease as early as possible. Early diagnosis will help maintain the cat’s vision and control intraocular pressure. In addition, continuous antiglaucoma treatment can help prevent further progression of the disease.
This condition is often associated with old age and obesity. The Burmese breed is also a known risk factor. One study found that the breed is highly restricted in FLA-DRB polymorphism. Although the exact cause of this disease is unknown, genetic analysis of Burmese cats has shown that the breed is prone to the disease.
In the meantime, some researchers have looked for an animal model of this disease. Dogs are also commonly used for glaucoma research, but the animal’s eye structure differs from that of humans. This could limit the availability of the animal, limiting the number of studies to be done on the disease. Using a cat model for glaucoma research is an alternative, but there are no further reports on this disease in cats.
Another case reported in 1984 is called polymyopathy in Burmese cats, and it is characterized by generalised weakness in neck and limb muscles. In some cases, the disorder is associated with concurrent hypokalaemia. The direct causal relationship between the two was not established in one series of cases, but in another series, increased urinary potassium secretion was suspected. The symptoms disappeared with potassium supplementation.
Inherited condition causing malformations of the skull and jaw
This condition is the result of a genetic mutation that disrupts the normal development of the jaw and skull. The malformations manifest immediately after birth and can range from missing eyes to a protruding brain. It can lead to death if a kitten is not treated immediately.
Although many Burmese breeders are aware of the problem, not all passed on the information to prospective owners. The fact that some kittens develop the disease suggests that the population of Burmese cats affected by this condition is larger than previously thought. The prevalence of this disease is higher in contemporary lines than in traditional breeds. Breeders of these cats are advised to conduct a genetic test on their litters, and a family history is helpful in determining if the cat is likely to be affected.
Although the Burmese cat is the most common carrier of FOPS, it is also found in Burmese crosses and the Burmilla, a breed whose ancestry is believed to be of Burmese descent. In a study involving Burmese cats, the prevalence of this disorder was 12%.
This genetic mutation disrupts the morphogenesis of the cranium in Burmese cats. In heterozygous individuals, the mutation results in brachycephaly, a severely malformed head.
Symptoms of psychogenic alopecia
Psychogenic alopecia is a disorder in cats caused by obsessive-compulsive behavior. Symptoms are often associated with excessive grooming, and medication may be prescribed to treat the disorder. While this type of treatment does come with some risk of side effects, other therapies, including behavior modification, can reduce the severity of symptoms.
Psychogenic alopecia can be difficult to diagnose, and a complete history is necessary to get the proper diagnosis. The vet will look at the age of the cat, the frequency of fleas, and recent environmental stressors to determine the cause. Then they will run tests to rule out other possible causes of alopecia and prescribe an appropriate course of action.
Psychogenic alopecia is caused by emotional or environmental stress. It may also be accompanied by excessive grooming, which may be a symptom of an underlying medical condition. In some cats, excessive grooming may be a sign of anxiety or conflict, and a cat may overgroom itself to reduce its anxiety levels.
Besides excessive grooming, psychogenic alopecia can be caused by a variety of conditions, including parasites and bacterial infections. Psychogenic alopecia in Burmese cat is an uncommon disorder, but it can cause significant discomfort. A veterinarian can diagnose the cause of the disease, prescribe appropriate medical treatments, and provide advice for keeping the cat happy.