Scottish Fold: Half a year without disease does not mean it will never occur

Scottish Fold cats will definitely develop the disease, and there is no concept that half a year without disease means it will never occur. There are only differences in the severity and urgency of the disease. The folding ears of Scottish Fold cats are related to the growth of cat cartilage and are a genetic defect that cannot be cured. It causes cats a great deal of pain in their bones.

If the cat is a purebred Scottish Fold, it usually develops the disease at the age of two or three. When the disease occurs, the pain is intense, and it can even lead to paralysis. If the cat is a mixed breed, it may not develop the disease until six years old or the disease is milder. If you have already raised a Scottish Fold kitten, it is recommended to improve the cat's nutrition and always supplement with chondroitin sulfate.

1. What is a Scottish Fold?

The folding ears of Scottish Fold cats are determined by the incomplete dominant gene that affects the cat's ear cartilage. This characteristic appears when the cat is about 3-4 weeks old and is caused by a defect in the ear cartilage that prevents it from supporting the weight of the ears. Therefore, the ears will lean forward and fold down. The "Fd" gene, which is related to the growth of cat cartilage, is contained in the Scottish Fold cat. With this gene, the cat's ears will be "folded" and the ear cartilage cannot stand up. Although Scottish Fold cats have distinctive appearances, the gene also means potential health hazards. Cats with this gene will have varying degrees of skeletal diseases, the most common being limbs and tails. The bones will continue to deform over time, causing the cat great pain. The disease is also known as "Scottish Fold Osteochondrodysplasia Chain (SFOCD)," characterized by progressive joint curling.

1. Why do Scottish Fold cats develop diseases?

Research shows that all cats with the folding gene will have folded ears and the more folding genes they carry, the greater the impact of osteochondrodysplasia. Particularly purebred cats with more folding genes develop arthritis (severe pain), difficulty walking, limping, and even disability quickly. Cats with hybrid folding genes are relatively less affected by osteochondrodysplasia, which means they may develop the disease later in life, but they will still be affected. Therefore, preventing osteochondrodysplasia can only be achieved by not breeding any cats with inherent folding genes.

Owners don't need to worry too much. The most important thing in raising cats is to ensure they have high-quality cat food, avoid feeding a variety of foods, and the more diverse the diet, the more prone to problems. Additionally, cats are prone to picky eating. Ensure daily hygiene care for the cat and avoid feeding stale or spoiled food to prevent gastrointestinal diseases. Supplement with chondroitin sulfate and start giving hair removal paste when the cat is four months old to prevent hairball disease. Get annual X-rays and check-ups to monitor the cat's health. There is no need to be overly concerned.