Despite its esteemed position as one of the world’s most recognisable and popular purebred cats, the Siamese is arguably the most sick of all the cat breeds, indeed of any other cat.
The title is deliberately provocative but the statement is rooted in fact. Here is a chart that lists the inherited diseases associated with cat breeds. Some cat breeds are not represented on this chart. The reason is that there is, as yet, not enough research on this matter and therefore the information is unavailable. Also some cat breeds have no known inherited diseases.
This is the list of genetic (inherited) diseases associated with the Siamese:
- Asthma
- Cutaneous asthenia – 2 types (a) thin skin, or (b) soft velvety skin that is easily damaged.
- Esophageal hypomotility – spontaneous movement of the intestine. The cat regurgitates, is feverish and has respiratory problems.
- Mast cell tumors
- Hypotrichosis – abnormal hair patterns due to thinning.
- Cutaneous mastocytomas – masses under the skin.
- Glaucoma – chronic open-angled glaucoma – increased eye pressure.
- Cervical neck lesions – bad teeth. Siamese cats need dental checks.
- Hip dysplasia – loose hip joint
- Feline hyperesthesia syndrome
- Feline endocrine alopecia
- Mucopolysaccharidosis
- Gangliosidosis
- Adenocarcinomas of the small intestine
- Malignant mammary tumors
- Numerous congenital heart defects (PDA, aortic stenosis, AV valve Malformation, pyloric stenosis, etc)
- Strabismus – squint – the classic. original cross-eyed cat.
- Primary endocardial fibroelastosis
- Nystagmus – rapid eye movements left to right.
- Congenital heart defects
- Hydrocephalus – kittens have a domed shaped head, abnormal gait, depression, head ache.
- Sphingomyelinosis – retarded growth and ataxia (wobbly gait). Head bobbing. Death before one year of age.
- Chronic Degenerative Keratitis
- Hepatic Amyloidosis
When the Siamese cat was first imported from Siam to England, UK in 1886, Mrs Vyvyan of Dover, England, UK, describes the cat as dominant over other cats in the area where she lived. They were strong cats but they suffered from an acute case of worms. The condition was so bad the cats tried to cough them up. Veterinary surgery was hardly in existence and she gave them chicken heads and feathers for relief. An inauspicious start, health-wise.
The high number of genetic diseases associated with the Siamese has not been explained. For me it is caused by over zealous breeding for appearance while placing health as a secondary consideration.
I am referring to the extreme selective breeding that has created the slender and highly “refined” modern Siamese with the bony, elongated head. All breeders will disagree with me. I am fine with that.
Primary Source: Genetic Diseases in Purebred Cats – Source: Medical, Genetic, & Behavioral Aspects of Purebred Cats; Ross D.Clark, DVM.
I totally agree Ruth – it’s the same old argument and I too will keep on saying it until something changes. It only becomes more relevant and important as time passes because the shelter situation gets worse and worse. The fact that people want to have strange looking unhealthy expensive cats is a testament to how little people research or know whats going OR how much they don’t care if they do know.
It’s terrible and it will remain terrible until there is change.
It’s sad that some breeders keep on breeding cats even knowing of the many health problems they could face. It’s sad too that these people are making money out of selling especially bred pedigree kittens, when every day cats and kittens equally as beautiful and deserving of homes are being killed in Shelters because there are not enough homes for them.
Thanks for the comment. There are many healthy Siamese cats, it is just that, in general, they are more liable to become unhealthy. Please note I am referring to the Modern Siamese. Your cat is a traditional style Siamese. There are different breeding practices involved, I believe.
I’ve been around the ‘traditional’ apple-head siamese all my life and didn’t think ours were particularly troublesome with diseases. I have, in fact, turned around the kidney disease of my old 16 year old cat with Reiki treatments. His bloodwork confirms it.
This is one reason I’ve always like Moggies. Really, with DNA testing these days, breeders should be breeding to increase health. The leading Cat Fancy organizations could require a registration of only cats with healthy DNA, and only those could be shown.
Depends on which Siamese you are referring to. You can contact the Traditional Cat Association for a better understanding of the original traditional apple-head Siamese, and the new mangled version with a host of health problems. diana@traditionalcats.com