Brachycephalic cat breeds have experienced a huge rise in popularity in recent years. However, due to their anatomy, these breeds have several inherent health issues that make them frequent visitors to the vets, says veterinary surgeon Graham Lewis.
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A brachycephalic breed (cat and dog) is a breed that has a shortened, flattened muzzle with a wide skull. Brachycephalic breeds can vary quite a lot in terms of how flattened their face is, but the majority of these animals will suffer from some degree of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which is a combination of anatomical issues that can affect their breathing.
Brachycephalic cat breeds
Persian
Persian cats are instantly recognisable with their thick, long coats, big round eyes and their flattened faces. They love a fuss and most of them enjoy being groomed (just as well as their coat needs a lot of maintenance).
They do get airway issues sometimes, but their flattened face also leads to issues with the alignment of their teeth, and with such prominent eyes they are prone to corneal ulcers and other eye issues.
Aside from these brachy related problems, they have a genetic predisposition to a condition called Polycystic Kidney Disease, which can cause real problems.
A lovely nature, but the extreme breeding to get the flattened face does lead to some health issues.
Scottish Fold
Scottish Folds are growing in popularity and have a slightly flattened muzzle, although it's not as severe as the Persian cat.
They rarely have breathing issues, however they have plenty of other health issues to contend with. These cats have distinct folded ears, due to a genetic condition called Osteochondrodysplasia (OCD), which affects cartilage throughout the body and can be a very painful condition.
As such, breeding them is banned in several countries. However, since becoming the cat of choice for several celebrities, they have grown in popularity. As well as OCD, they are prone to Polycystic Kidney Disease.
Top image credit: Getty
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