A sad warning

[tierraJ]

My sister's beautiful pedigree Persian cat has just died of congenital heart failure aged 4. She is devastated as he was a real character & her flat is empty without him.

He has had multiple health problems which are common to Persians apparently- teeth problems (had to have several removed).
Stomach & digestive issues needing a special diet with probiotics.
Snoring & breathing issues due to his flat face.
In fact the flat face meant he could not pick up food easily in his mouth or keep his face clean easily.

Then finally he became very breathless 2 weeks ago & was found to have incurable cardiomyopathy- he just deteriorated & was sadly pts.

Now we have heard that Persians & other pedigrees such as Ragdolls, Siberians & Maine Coons can have health issues especially with their hearts.

Please be aware & research potential health issues before buying a pedigree.
Please do take out comprehensive pet insurance (luckily my sister did).

Also especially if you are buying a cat like a Persian be prepared that they need a lot of care such as daily face washes & daily brushing. Unfortunately her cat hated it.

My sister adored her cat but will not get another pedigree.

Obviously ALL pets even mongrels get health problems but it's just been so sad watching my sister's cat suffer for being a Persian.

Persians are very well known for being sickly, difficulty breathing, needing grooming etc. Didnt your sister do any research before she got the cat?

Has she contacted the breeder? They need to know about the issues to consider their breeding pairs for the future.

I've got two Persian rescues. ( never thought I'd ever have 'posh cats') No cats could be more loved. But they've been nothing but trouble health wise in the almost three years I've had them. Although both were ex breeding queens from a kitten farm, and rescued in very bad shape.

Snorg has had a nose job as her nose is tiny. And she sounds permanently blocked up. She then got pancreatitis/traditions and spent a week in hospital critically ill. I thought she'd have to be PTS, Don't know how she survived, let alone make a full recovery. She doesn't have cardiomyopathy. But is being monitored by the cardiologist.

Fatty kept getting her jaw stuck open as it was getting stuck when she yawned. So she had surgery to remove part of her cheekbone. She has quite severe cardiomyopathy and is on several medications.
All in all they've cost over £11,000 in vets bills. Fortunately Tesco's insurance is brilliant!

Despite all their issues they are wonderful cats and are very happy. I love the breed but I must admit I'm put off having future Persians by the stress they've caused!!

It is a sad fact that both the organisations responsible for breed standards and so called professional breeders of dogs and cats have produced generations of sickly animals for years, usually by repeated inbreeding to emphasise 'desireable' traits in the pursuance of profit and novelty.

This will sound harsh - but anyone buying from a breeder an overbred persian, ragdoll, pug, French bulldog etc. (because they look cute / the snuffly noise they make when trying to breath is 'sooo sweet' / they go limp when picked up / they fit in my handbag) is complicit in this.
Rant over.
OP - I'm very sorry about your sister's cat and hope she will have better luck with a moggy.

And Toddlerteaplease - this isn't directed at you - I know yours are rescues

Grumpy, someone I know had a bulldog and all you could hear was the poor thing snuffling as it tried to breath. Apparently it was so sweet to hear though

They also have a Frenchie which is just as bad and, to be honest, it's back and legs look deformed.

Both of these dogs cost a fortune and were bought as status symbols as far as I'm concerned. They even had the cheek to say to me I should have bought a kitten rather than adopting Harry!

Tierra - I am so sorry for your sister's loss. The cat in the picture looks gorgeous and I am sure that his short life was a pampered and happy one.

I agree re breeds and breed standards. I don't want to offend anyone here, but I grew up with (although he wasn't mine) a beautiful, strong and healthy siamese who looked like and was sized like an ordinary cat, but with slightly elongated features. The breed standard now is for tiny cats with massively elongated features. So sad. Many are not healthy either. You can still get classic and traditional meezers and if I ever get a cat and decide to get a breed this is what I will look out for.

Grumpy, I know it wasn't aimed at me! I agree completely about over breeding. I can't bear Persians who's nose is level with their eyes and have very scrunched up faces.
Fatty has probably has almost certaopased on her cardiomyopathy to her many kittens. As the cardiologist said it's hereditary.

Thats really sad, poor cat and your sister.
Hope she cherishes her memories with her cat and manages to find a new cat that remains well. In all honesty I've never had a cat that had loads of health problems only age related ones when they were really knocking on.
Get her to adopt one from a shelter as they have been vaccinated and health checked.

Sorry about your sister's cat.

My cat Troy died just over 2 years ago aged 5 from hypertropic cardiomyopathy. He was just a moggy with not an ounce of pedigree in him.

I'm too scared to get another cat because of the heartbreak.