Diseases of Siamese cats: main pathologies. Siamese cat, photo, character, care, diseases Siamese kitten feeling unwell reasons treatment

Incredible facts

Siamese cats, in addition to their graceful appearance, are smart, playful and loyal pets.

This breed has many unique characteristics and they are one of the most recognizable cats in the world due to their exotic coloring and energy.

Siamese cats have a long body, beautiful almond-shaped blue eyes, large ears and a wedge-shaped muzzle. They have short, silky fur with dark point markings.

Siamese cat breed

1. Siamese cats are an ancient breed


Like most cat breeds, the true origins of Siamese cats are shrouded in mystery. Some claim that these cats were pets of kings, others believe they were raised by Buddhist monks.

When members of the royal family died, the Siamese cat was believed to receive their soul. The cat was transferred to the temple, and she spent the rest of her life in luxury under the care of the monks.

In the Thai manuscript "Poems of the Cat Book" you can find the very first description of cats with dark colors on the limbs, made by between 14th and 18th centuries. This suggests that Siamese cats are a very ancient breed, even if we don't know where they came from.

2. Siamese cats appeared at the first major world cat show

When Siamese cats were first exhibited at a cat show in England in 1871, they were described as "an unnatural, nightmare-looking cat, unique and elegant, with smooth skin and ears tipped black, and blue eyes with red pupils." They later became one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.

Description of the Siamese cat

3. Siamese cats once had cross-eyed eyes and a tail with a kink at the end.


Many Siamese cats once had curved tail and squint. Cat breeders considered these characteristics undesirable and gradually weeded them out through selective breeding. According to legend, Siamese cats were tasked with guarding the king's golden cup. The cat clutched the goblet so tightly with her tail that it became crooked, and stared for so long that her pupils lost focus.

It is still occasionally possible to see Siamese cats with squint or a curved tail.

4. Siamese cats had a larger body and a more rounded face.


Initially, Siamese cats had a larger body and a round face rather than a triangular one. However, in the mid-20th century, cat breeders favored a more defined silhouette and gradually bred the slimmer, fine-boned cats we are accustomed to seeing today.

The updated breed can be seen at cat shows, but many breeders continue to breed Siamese kittens with a more traditional appearance. The International Cat Association also recognizes the Thai breed as having an old-type appearance.

5. Their Paws and Ears are Temperature-Regulated


Have you ever wondered why Siamese cats have light fur with darker coloring on their paws, ears and face? This is due to temperature-sensitive enzymes, causing dark color appears on cooler parts of the body and remains pale on warm parts. Siamese kittens are born with completely white fur and dark tips appear when they are a few months old.

Color of Siamese cats

6. Markings may vary in color.


Initially, only Siamese cats with dark brown markings were recognized - a color known as seal point. Today, Siamese cats with a variety of marking colors are also recognized, including blue, chocolate and lilac.

7. The Siamese cat was once the fattest cat in the world.


The Guinness Book of Records does not keep records of the fattest animals in the world, as representatives do not want to encourage people to overfeed their pets. However, the Siamese cat Katie could claim this title in 2003. A 5-year-old Ural cat from the city of Asbest in Russia was given hormones to curb her interactions with cats, which is why she developed a remarkable appetite. Eventually her weight reached 23 kg, which is heavier than a 6-year-old child.

On average The weight of a male Siamese cat reaches 5-7 kg, and a female 3.5 - 5.5 kg.

8. Siamese cats once foiled a plot


In the 1960s, two Siamese cats at the Dutch embassy in Moscow, Russia sensed something was wrong. Employees noticed that the cats would suddenly wake up and arch their backs, scratching the walls. Experts suspected that the excited pets heard a noise that the human ear could not detect. The study found 30 hidden spy microphones hidden in the wall.

9. A Siamese cat once gave birth to 19 kittens


One day on August 7, 1970, a Burmese/Siamese cat from Oxfordshire in the UK gave birth to 19 kittens. Unfortunately, four of them were stillborn. Siamese cats usually have around 4-6 kittens. A large litter of kittens has become largest litter of domestic cats in the world.

10. Siamese cats have a poetic name in their homeland


Thailand is considered the birthplace of Siamese cats, where they are called " moon diamond".

How long do Siamese cats live?


Siamese cats are considered one of the longest-living cats. Their average life expectancy is 15-20 years, and sometimes longer.

Personality of the Siamese cat


Siamese cats are very smart, curious and receptive cats.

They often act more like dogs than cats. Often these cats become attached to one person and follow him everywhere. Siamese cats retain a childish and playful character, they are very active and energetic.

These cats don't like to be ignored for long. They are perfect for those who love communication and activity. Siamese cats get along well with children and other pets.

Siamese cats require attention, they will vocalize and their behavior can be destructive if they don't get attention.

Remember that Siamese cats are quite loud pets. They can howl and scream for a long time if they want something. However, they are intelligent and can be easily trained to understand simple commands.

Category: Cat Breeds

The Siamese cat, along with the Persian, is one of the oldest and most famous cat breeds. The origin of the breed is a widespread mutation that occurred over 500 years ago and originated in Asia, namely Siam, today's Thailand. Siamese cats did not find their way to the western part of the world until the late 19th century and were kept primarily in royal courts as a status symbol.

Personality of the Siamese cat

The elegant Siamese cat captivates with its blue eyes and affection. Siamese cats are sometimes jokingly called “the dog among cats.” This name comes from the fact that they allow a person to educate himself to a certain extent. However, they study as much as they want. Anyone who tries to teach a Siamese cat anything by force will become familiar with its claws. She forms a very close bond with her owner and even learns to walk on a leash.

Siamese cats are very active cats that have a clear need for companionship. They are best kept in groups of two because they have strong social behavior and can interact with each other for hours. When playing with other Siamese cats, they demonstrate their cheerful temperament. Intelligence and good nature make the Siamese cat an ideal family cat.

Young Siamese cats become sexually mature earlier than many other breeds, namely four to six months. The cat is ready to mate every two weeks. After 63 to 69 days of pregnancy, the Siamese cat gives birth to four to six kittens. Sometimes more. Kittens develop relatively quickly compared to other breeds.

Description of the breed

The Siamese cat is medium in size and is characterized by a thin but muscular build. A cat weighs between three and four kilograms, and a female cat weighs between four and five kilograms. The elegant, sleek Siamese cat has surprisingly long, narrow limbs, with the hind limbs slightly longer than the front. Its small paws are oval shaped. The tail is long, thin and ends in a point.

The neck is similar to the rest of the body, long and narrow. The head is medium in size and wedge-shaped. The chin and ears form almost a triangle. The nose is long and straight, and the chin is barely defined. The pointed ears are large and slightly diagonal. The eyes are almond-shaped, slightly slanted and spaced far apart. Typical for a Siamese cat is a bright blue eye color. The coat is short and has a small undercoat because the breed originated in warm Southeast Asia. The wool is very soft and shiny.

The Siamese cat is one of the most demanding breeds. She requires a lot of attention from her owner because she is very affectionate and prone to jealousy. She doesn't like other animals in the house, but she feels very comfortable in the company of other Siamese cats. Therefore, she cannot be left alone. Because of its temperament and pronounced love of play, the Siamese cat needs a lot of space in the apartment.

A common problem in keeping Siamese cats is their sensitivity to cold and wet conditions. You should never expose Siamese cats to drafts. Additionally, the Siamese cat tends to have poorer vision at night than other breeds. After washing, it must be dried thoroughly. But the shorthaired Siamese cat's coat is very easy to care for. It is enough to clean it with a brush. If you keep two Siamese cats, you have even less work to do because the cats love to groom and clean each other.

Typical diseases of Siamese cats

Siamese cats suffer from hereditary diseases and inherited developmental defects. The latter includes a broken tail, which was previously considered a feature of the breed. Today, animals with broken tails are no longer used for breeding.

Inherited diseases include retinal atrophy, in which the retina of the eye is destroyed due to metabolic problems. This is often revealed by the fact that the cat cannot see anything at night. Other common eye conditions include squinting and tremors. This is likely due to a lack of melanin, as the Siamese cat is a partial albino. However, these disadvantages are unlikely to limit the cat.

Siamese cats may inherit thickening of the inner heart wall. This leads to a heart murmur and increased heart failure. In another hereditary heart disease, the aorta and trunk pulmonary artery are not connected in newborn Siamese cats. As a result, the kitten is very weak and this can lead to heart failure.

In addition, there are known diseases caused by metabolic disorders in which few red blood cells are produced. Siamese cats with this inherited condition suffer from anemia and increased sensitivity to light. In addition, the breed is susceptible to a disease in which insoluble protein is deposited in the organs, especially the liver or kidneys. Over time, this can cause damage to these organs.

Additionally, Siamese cats may experience a disorder in which waste products of metabolism, such as amino acids, are no longer broken down. They accumulate in the brain and damage it. With a genetic test, a veterinarian can easily identify the disease to prevent inheritance. For certain types of cancer, Siamese cats are two to eight times more likely to develop the disease than other breeds.

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SIAMES CAT

Coat type: shorthair
Size: average
Country of origin: Thailand

Character of Siamese cats

Siamese, or Thai cats as they are also called, are considered the most intelligent and inquisitive cats. They are very curious, unpredictable and prone to jealousy. Siamese cats love to be close to their owner and will try to follow him everywhere. Many Siamese cats can be taught a variety of tricks if their owners are patient.

Siamese cats playful, loving, loyal and affectionate animals. Their sociable nature requires constant interaction with humans, and since Siamese cats are very attached to their owners, it is better not to give them to people who cannot devote enough time to them.

Siamese cats are very energetic animals and if you want peace and tranquility in your home, it is better to choose another breed of cat.

Some owners of these cats believe that Siamese cats behave more like dogs than cats.

The talent of Siamese cats in communicating with humans is well known. Some people are annoyed by the loud voice of these cats, but lovers of this breed consider it a unique feature of Siamese cats. Indeed, Siamese cats are the most talkative breed of cats; you should not get such a cat if you think that the cat should not be heard.

Siamese cats The breed is not for everyone. But if you want a loving and sociable cat who is always on the move and hates being unnoticed, then the Siamese cat is a good fit for you.

Siamese cats usually make good family animals that are tolerant of children who are not very young (from the age of six) provided they are not rough with them. The relationship between Siamese cats and dogs depends on the individual dog and cat.

Diseases of Siamese cats

Siamese cats are generally a healthy breed of cat and, with good care, can often live up to 20 years. However, like most breeds, some lines have genetic diseases. Such diseases include hereditary liver amyloidosis, which can ultimately lead to liver failure in a cat.

There are also known cases of cardiomyopathy, an enlargement of the heart muscle, in cats, but this disease is less of a concern than hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a heart disease in other cat breeds.

In addition, some breed lines have a high predisposition to malignant mammary tumors, which quickly spread to nearby glands and lymph nodes. Fortunately, sterilizing a cat before six months of age reduces the risk of disease by 91 percent, before the age of one by 86 percent, and after two years does not reduce the risk of disease.

In addition, Siamese cats are susceptible to tartar formation, gingivitis and other dental diseases.

Occasionally, Siamese cats have the so-called “Siamese strabismus.”

Caring for Siamese cats

Siamese cats need minimal grooming. Their coat is short and has no visible undercoat. Their favorite comb is the owner's hands. Wet your hands with water and comb the cat with them, from head to tail, the fallen hair will remain on your hands.

Periodically bathe the Siamese cat, clean its ears and teeth; the Siamese cat must be accustomed to this procedure as early as possible due to the breed's tendency to dental problems.

Note

Siamese cats are very sensitive to anesthesia.

It is worth keeping in mind that each cat is individual alna. This description is typical for the breed as a whole and does not always completely coincide with the characteristics of a particular cat of this breed!

The Siamese cat is one of the most common breeds in the world. It is distinguished by a specific color, which is its calling card - it is a darker tone of the ears, muzzle, paws and tail (color point).

The Siamese cat has very ancient origins. The exact place and time of appearance of this breed still remains a mystery. There are many legends about the Siamese cat. Cats came to Europe from Siam at the end of the nineteenth century. Before this, cats had never been exported from the country and were considered a national treasure. Cats lived in royal families and in temples. They were idolized, worshiped, and jealously guarded from outsiders. Cats were indispensable participants in religious ceremonies. No records of the development of the breed have been preserved. The history of the modern Siamese cat began in 1884. Then the British consul received cats as a gift from the King of Siam and took them to England. These cats are the progenitors of all Siamese living in Europe today. Later, cats of this breed spread throughout the world. The first breed standard was established at the beginning of the twentieth century, and in the fifties of the last century the modern standard was adopted.

The Siamese cat is medium in size, has strong bones, a muscular and slender body, and has elegance and grace. The head of a Siamese cat is small and has a pronounced wedge shape. The ears are a continuation of the sides of the head. The tip of the nose and the tips of the ears form an equilateral triangle. The nose is straight, the profile without a depression from the nose to the forehead. The chin is medium - not massive and not weak. The ears are very large, wide at the base and pointed at the ends. The eyes are almond-shaped and of medium size. The outer corners of the eyes are located much higher than the inner corners. Eye color - from blue to blue. Color saturation is welcome. The limbs of the Siamese cat are proportional and long. The hind legs are longer than the front ones. The paws are oval-shaped and small in size. The tail is thin, long, narrowed towards the tip. A curl in the tail, once considered a sign of high breeding, is in fact a genetic defect and leads to disqualification. Color in the form of dark spots on the face, ears, paws and tail. The spots on the face should not be combined with the spots on the ears. The coat is short, smooth, close-fitting and extremely pleasant to the touch.

Nowadays, the color of Siamese cats is very diverse. The presence of dark spots on the face, ears, paws and tail remains unchanged. This color is called “color point”, but it has several options. The most common is seal point - a soft cream or light brown main background and dark brown spots. This color is considered classic, and it is with it that most of us associate the Siamese cat breed. In addition to this color, there are the following combinations of the main color and point: light blue - dark blue, yellowish-white - dark brown, white - lilac-gray, cream - red, white - light cream. All of the above colors can have points with a pattern: striped or tortoiseshell.

Siamese cats have a rather difficult character. They are willful, independent and stubborn. Siamese cats are temperamental, energetic, love games, and have a highly developed hunting instinct. At the same time, they are very smart, sociable, adore their owner, are strongly attached to him and follow him everywhere. They are so affectionate that they can sometimes seem intrusive. With due care, they will pay with kindness and loyalty. In no case should Siamese cats be offended, and punishment can only be done fairly, otherwise the sensitive cat will remember the insult for a long time. The Siamese cat loves to be the center of events and has a great need for communication. Having returned home after a long absence, you simply need to spend as much time as possible with her: play and give her a tasty treat. A Siamese cat can allow itself to raise its voice and release its claws if it disagrees with the actions of its owner. She wants the owner to take her opinion into account. This is one of the most talkative cats. Her voice is very different from the meows of other cats. The Siamese is not only the most talkative, but also the loudest cat. She knows how to change the timbre and pitch of her voice depending on the situation: from a subtle plaintive meow to a nasty howl. The cat is very jealous and does not allow the presence of other animals in the house. The Siamese cat treats strangers with distrust. Siamese cats are similar to dogs in their loyalty, curiosity and love for their owner. Representatives of this breed are easy to train, which is not typical for most cats. The owner of a Siamese cat must be patient in order to endure its increased activity, mobility, demandingness and obstinacy.

Siamese cats are distinguished by fairly good natural health. In order for an animal to live a long and happy life, the owner must provide it with proper care. A cat needs a balanced and varied diet. Eyes require special attention. Healthy eye discharge should be removed with clean swabs. Severe discharge from the eyes is a signal of the development of some disease, in which case you should consult a veterinarian. You need to constantly monitor your ears so as not to trigger possible diseases. Healthy ears should be periodically cleaned with a clean swab moistened with hydrogen peroxide and ear drops should be instilled for prevention, as recommended by a specialist. The Siamese cat's coat does not require special care. As a rule, short-haired cats can take care of their coat themselves. However, it is advisable to scratch the cat to prevent hair from getting into the cat's stomach and from unnecessary cleaning in the apartment. Siamese cats tend to darken over time. There is an opinion that cold causes darkening of fur. It is important that the cat is kept in a warm and dry room and try to avoid drafts.

Eyes are the mirror of a cat's soul

Where does nystagmus come from?

Let's look at the anatomy. The eyes play a very important role, and it is impossible to imagine maintaining body balance in space without clear vision. After all, there is a close connection between the eyes and other organs of the vestibular apparatus. Thus, it can be argued that the eyes for our brain are sensors that transmit readings to the brain, and it already analyzes it and makes decisions on what to do next. But,

when a cat begins to have nystagmus, this indicates damage to the brain as the main center.

Types of nystagmus

I would like to immediately note that such a disorder can be either acquired or congenital. The latter is typical for representatives. Kittens with nystagmus are often born there.

As for acquired nystagmus, the cause may be:

  • injury,
  • severe stress,
  • transferred disease.

And if congenital nystagmus is not treated, then acquired nystagmus can and should be fought. However, not with the symptom of spinning eyes itself, but with its root cause.

Nystagmus can also be pendulum - in this case, the speed of eye movement is the same in all directions. And also clonic - in this case, we can distinguish the slow and fast phases of pupil movement.

Root causes of nystagmus

Veterinarians have been able to identify the most common root causes of nystagmus in cats. These are the following manifestations:

  • Albinism – in this case, the cat has a problematic pattern of retinal pigmentation, visual function deteriorates, and the animal may lose vision.
  • – against the background of cataracts, glaucoma, dry keratitis or conjunctivitis, nystagmus may develop.
  • Inflammatory processes of the inner ear - when the main organ of the vestibular system fails, vision also suffers.
  • Taking medications - in particular drugs to treat neurological problems in cats.
  • Physiological pathologies - some cats develop swan neck syndrome between 4 months and 12 months. The cat walks with its head tilted to one side and its pupil is spinning.