A while ago, a friend engaged in pet medical treatment received a 1-year-old folded ear cat, and the friend lamented: it is too pitiful, almost all the common lesions of the folded ear cat have occurred on it. First of all, ear folding lesions are certain, and secondly, rib deformation, walking limp, arched back, and toe deformity are all present. Alas, why breed cats of this breed, humans are too selfish to ignore their genetic diseases because they look good. Speaking of which, friends who know the folded-eared cat have already understood it. Today Xiaobian will talk to you about the cuteness and sadness of the folded-eared cat.
Folded ear cat
Folded ears, the ears folded forward and downward, and the ears that were originally supported upwards are now flat against the head, and this feature of the folded-ear cat is the result of genetic mutations.
There are two types of folded-eared cats. One is the Scottish folded-eared cat. One is the Highland Fold-Eared Cat. The distinction between the two species is more obvious, that is, the difference between long hair and short hair. Short-haired folded ear cats are collectively known as Scottish folded ears, and long-haired folded ear cats are collectively known as Highland folded ear cats.
Scottish folded ear cat
Highland folded ear cat
The study found that the mutant gene of the cat with folded ears is the TRPV4 gene Chromsome D3: 25138514 site G>T mutation, which leads to congenital cartilage hypoplasia, and the external ear is manifested as the folded ear, which is a genetic defect disease related to the breed. Folded ear cat onset age from one month old to six months of age, most of them start from two months of age, sick cats and cats of the same age than the weight is significantly lighter, most of the manifestations of the initial onset of the cat does not love to exercise, intermittent two hind limbs alternately limp, there are pathology initially do not show movement disorders, to the tail vertebrae curvature and joint stiffness as a feature, with the development of the disease, clinical gradually manifested as hind limbs and tail stubs, stilt-like limping, rebound ability decreased, basic inactivity, palpation of both hind limb joints and swelling, decreased joint activity, osteoform deformity, Pain of compression, poor keratosis of the nails, blunt and thick, claws cannot contract normally, abnormal bending and fixation of the base of the tail, inability to move, bony enlargement, similar manifestations of the carpal bones of the forelimbs.
In the eyes of cat owners, folded ears are the cute characteristics of cats and the reason for the choice. However, from the cat's point of view, the ear fold is exactly a congenital genetic defect disease, as long as the cat has the ear fold gene, there may be lesions and bring great pain to the cat.
1. Chest
The first is the chest, in addition to the deformed ribs will seriously squeeze the internal organs wrapped in it, there is also a common problem is the narrowing of the respiratory tract, the most direct consequence of which is "no breathing".
2. Bone loss
Second, bone damage can occur in the extremities. The main manifestation is a limp when walking, or often hunched back during activities, when the premise of external danger is discharged, then it can almost be asserted that the cat with folded ears at this time is suffering from joint diseases, because the way of walking with a hunched back can appropriately reduce the pain caused by compression of the joints.
3. Feet
Lesions of the foot can also occur, the most typical example is toe deformity, such as the sole size of the foot is much smaller than the same type and twisted like a "wrapped small foot", or the instep of the foot thickens, which seriously affects normal movement.
4. Tail
The tail becomes a liability. The cat's tail was originally soft enough to even be used as a "cat stick" to entertain itself, and the sick cat with folded ears lacked flexibility in its tail, "teasing the cat" was impossible to do, and could only be used as a "stick", not only that, due to bone damage, the tail was shorter and thicker than normal.
Written in the last words: I hope that everyone should try not to raise cats with folded ears, there is no breeding without trading, and if you really want to raise them, please give better care. Welcome to leave a comment and exchange!
Author's message: Life is more exciting because of pets, and pets are healthier because of you and me!