Your Birman cat is like no other. Just looking at them, you know that they are special. However, they are as good on the inside as they are out.
They sense your moods, and if they could speak, they will ask you tons of questions about how your day went.
They can easily purr their way into your heart. There is a good chance that you’ve chosen a Birman because you expect a cat to have certain traits that will fit your lifestyle.
For example, you may want to have a cat that meows and follows you around to show they miss you. They are affectionate companions and are a great family cat.
Birmans are superb with children and other pets. They require minimal grooming maintenance.
However, for your Birman to be in the best health, they need daily exercise and diet regulation to avoid weight gain.
It is also crucial to know Birman Cat Health Issues to give optimum care and maintenance for this breed.
Genetic Predispositions for Birmans-Birman cat health issues
Arterial Thromboembolism
What are Birman cat health issues? Cats are susceptible to heart diseases since they develop blood clots in their arteries, which have the acronym FATE.
This stands for feline aortic thromboembolisms. These blood clots typically become large just beyond the aorta. The aorta is a large blood vessel that provides blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
When your Birman suffers arterial thromboembolism, it will restrict blood flow to their hind legs. Because of this, their legs might become paralyzed, cold, and even painful.
Fate is a life-threatening Birman cat health issues which require speedy action and long-term medical care.
Cats who managed to survive thromboembolism will usually regain the full function of their limbs. If your cat is suffering from heart disease, medications are crucial to lowering the risk of blood clotting.
If you find that your cat can’t suddenly walk or drags both their back legs and are whining, act fast. Your pet will be needing quick emergency care.
Hemophilia
What are Birman cat health issues? Hemophilia is a term that refers to a group of blood clotting disorders in which wounds on the body will continuously bleed in large amounts.
These types of inherited blood disorders can happen in cats and can be mild to severe in effect. However, even with milder cases, hemophilia can be life-threatening.
A cat with hemophilia may look normal, but when an injury happens, or they undergo surgery, prolonged bleeding may happen.
For cats that are at-risk such as your Birman, it is crucial to have a diagnostic test to identify abnormal clotting. This is recommended before having your cat undergo any surgery or dental process.
Blood Type
Although you don’t want the worst to happen to your cat, sometimes disaster will strike, and it is good to be prepared.
Although we hate to think of the worst happening to our pets, it’s best to be prepared when disaster strikes. Similar to people, individual cats will have different blood types.
What are Birman cat health issues? Many domestic cats will have type A blood. Birmans which are purebred often have a different blood type, usually type B and, in rare occurrences, a type AB.
Knowing your cat’s blood type is crucial before starting a transfusion. Knowing your cat’s type beforehand can be crucial in saving their life.
Blood typing is recommended for all types of cats, but it is especially crucial for purebreds. This procedure can be done as part of a medical wellness blood testing, and the results can be added to your pet’s microchip information so, even if you are not present, there will be fast action in case they suffer an emergency.
Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (NI)/Hemolytic Icterus
What are Birman cat health issues? This disease is a rare disease that affects the immune system function.
One of the triggers for this disease is when a newborn kitten with type A blood ingests colostrum or first milk from a mother with type B blood or vice versa.
The mother will have immunity against type A blood that is contained in her colostrum, but when a kitten suckles, the antigen is absorbed into the kitten’s system.
This results in an immune reaction where antibodies develop that attack and destroy the kitten’s red blood cells. Because of this, affected kitten usually die within a few days of birth.
This disease can occur in many cat breeds but is more often notable in breeds that are susceptible to having B blood type such as the Birman.
If you want to breed your cat, you will need to learn more in-depth information about this problem. Consult your veterinarian to give you proper guidance.
Neutrophil Granulation
What are Birman cat health issues? Neutrophils are a white blood type that is present in normal blood. We typically see them under the microscope in certain quantities and conditions.
Neutrophils, with their number and appearance, along with other white blood cells, can give you knowledge about the health of your cats.
Typically, the granules that can be seen in neutrophils should indicate the presence of infection and illness. But when it comes to your Birman, these granules may be normal.
These unusual cells are not exactly a problem and do not point to any disease. However, it is crucial to know the normal biological manifestation of neutrophils when you interpret your cat’s lab results.
Portosystemic Shunt
What are Birman cat health issues? This disorder typically shows up in cats where the blood supply to the liver is diminished.
This disease restricts the liver of the full blood flow; it needs to grow and function effectively, leading to a liver that is undersized and poorly nourished.
It additionally cannot remove toxins from the bloodstream. As a result, these unfiltered waste materials, which include ammonia and bile acids, will build up in the bloodstream and poison the rest of the body’s system.
As an example, in more serious cases, high blood ammonia levels can result in neurological issues.
Cats affected by this disease are also highly sensitive to drugs and anesthetics since the liver cannot effectively filter the bloodstream of these chemicals.
If your cat shows the disease symptoms, you will need to perform blood testing or a liver ultrasound scan to check for the disorder. In many cases, surgery can help promote proper blood flow to the liver.
Birman Cat Breed InfoFIP Susceptibility
What are Birman cat health issues? This disease is fatal and is a type of coronavirus. Every cat may carry this virus in its dormant form, but if the virus gets triggered when it undergoes mutations, it can act on the vulnerable cat’s immune system resulting in the cat developing FIP.
Birman seem to be more susceptible to developing FIP compared to other breeds.
This disease causes damaged blood vessels and fluid build-up inside the abdomen or chest. Blood testing can help you detect coronaviruses in cats, but these tests cannot tell the difference between non-harmful coronaviruses and the actual FIP.
Giving your cats a screening for this disease prior to breeding or selling them is difficult and often unreliable.
FIP is a risk for any kitten but even more so when you purchase a purebred cat. Once this disease has developed in a cat litter, it is difficult to eliminate.
Examine and be extremely careful about any history of FIP infection in a kitten or cat family history before buying your pets.
There is no effective treatment for FIP, which makes it more troubling since it is a fatal disease.
Multiple Eye Problems
What are Birman cat health issues? Not many things will have a major impact on your cat’s quality of life as the proper functioning of its eyes.
Unfortunately, Birmans have a genetic predisposition to develop several eye conditions, some of which may lead to blindness if not treated promptly.
Additionally, it can also be extremely painful. A vet will evaluate your cat’s eyes for any troublesome signs.
Cataract
What are Birman cat health issues? Cataracts commonly lead to blindness in older Birmans. This disease results in the eye becoming more opaque or cloudier rather than clear.
There is a surgery to remove cataracts and restore the cat’s vision. As a result, they will lead a normal life.
During a vet examination, your cat’s eyes will be examined closely, and your vet might recommend treatment options for your cat with cataract.
Eyelid Agenesis
What are Birman cat health issues? This disease is a congenital disability in which the upper part of the eyelid has an unusual form.
The malformation makes the eye constantly susceptible to foreign materials such as dust, eyelash, and hair.
Additionally, the eye is never properly hydrated, resulting in irritation, redness, and dryness. After some time, this irritation can cause painful corneal ulcers and scar tissues.
This eventually leads to partial or complete blindness. In milder cases, treatment will have to include the application of eye lubricant and cryosurgery to get rid of eyelashes, which rub the eye.
Usually, cats that are affected have to undergo treatment such as surgical eyelid reconstruction.
Once this disease is healed, the fresh eyelids should function in a normal manner, and your cat will have a healthy lifestyle with good vision.
Corneal Sequestration
What are Birman cat health issues? This is a painful condition typical to breeds with prominent eyes such as Birmans.
This disease forms a hard black patch of dead tissue that progresses on the front of the cat’s eyes or around the corneas.
This condition typically develops because of chronic inflammation from viral infections, eyelid defects, or even malformed eyelashes.
Early cases should be managed well by applying topical medications. But. In serious cases, preventative surgery may be able to repair the defects and save the eye before crucial parts detach.
It is vital to be vigilant about any signs of eye infection in your cats. Have your cat undergo wellness examinations for full health checkups as well as potential eye problems.
Hypotrichosis
What are Birman cat health issues? This disease is caused by a recessive genetic defect found in some cat breeds, which include Birman.
This disease manifests as thinning hair and balding, which tends to develop as patterns or patches on the torso and head areas.
A cat can be born with a hair loss pattern, or the thinning hair may happen after birth. Over time, affected areas may progress as additional pigmentation or thickening of the skin.
Skin biopsy samples will show if your Birman has a below-average number of hair follicles, sebaceous glands, or sweat glands.
Hypotrichosis does not cause pain, but special care is crucial to protect your cat’s skin.
There is no effective treatment for this condition. Because it is linked to genetics, cats who have this disease and their close relatives should not be bred.
Taking Care of Your Birman at Home-Birman cat health issues
There are a lot of things you can do at home to make your cat happy and healthy. Similar to people, be vigilant about their diet and make sure they are getting tons of exercise.
It is crucial to brush their teeth regularly and call your vet for anything unusual.
Give them regular grooming maintenance. Make sure that you are bringing your cat on schedule for examinations and vaccination.
During the examination, your cat will undergo crucial checkups and tests for diseases and conditions that are typical in Birmans.
Another important step in caring for your pet is signing for health insurance. Your cat will need medical maintenance throughout their life. Having pet health insurance can cover these costs.
Routine Care, Diet, and Exercise-Birman cat health issues
It is crucial to give your pets routine care to live longer, stay healthier, and be happy during their lifetime. It cannot be emphasized enough how crucial proper diet and exercise is for your pet’s daily routine.
Watch over your pets as you would your kid. It is crucial to keep your doors locked and pick up any mess or clutter that may cause accidents.
Block off rooms with a screen or a fence if necessary. It will keep your Birman out of trouble.
They will not be ingesting dangerous items, and they will keep off from jumping on kitchen countertops that need to be clean at all times.
Final Thoughts
Birmans are amazing companions; however, they are vulnerable to a number of diseases.
It is crucial to give them optimum care and maintenance to keep these diseases from manifesting. Abnormal symptoms in your pet that can be observed may be minor or temporary, but it can point to serious illnesses or diseases.
It is crucial to know when to seek the help of a veterinarian. Medical checkups are part of the care of your cats. Know your Birman cat health issues, so if any symptoms occur, you can get help immediately.
