Scottish Fold cat: nature, care and the most common diseases
Scottish fold cat
Scottish fold cat, also called Scottish fold, is a relatively young breed and has a very specific appearance that distinguishes it from representatives of its own species and makes it practically unmistakable with any other breed.
Its name basically reflects the most important facts about these cats, namely that their homeland is Scotland and that they have characteristically broken ears.
The occurrence of these dangling turbinates is caused by a spontaneous mutation in the genetic code, which causes the gene popular in dogs, pigs and sheep to also appear in the cat's DNA.
The first fold female cat was the white Susie, found by a Scottish shepherd in 1961. in the barn, with kittens cuddled up to it.
Her exterior was so unique that it was decided to breed the breed, which, however, encountered some difficulties.
Well, the association of two cats with the gene "fold", which is the dominant gene, often led to the occurrence of congenital deformities of cartilage and bone in the offspring.
Therefore, for the next associations, individuals with standing turbinates (the so-called. straight). The following cats were used for crossbreeds:
- american shorthair,
- Persians,
- exotic
- Burmese.
The frequent occurrence of genetic skeletal defects was disapproved of by many associations and today the largest of them - the International Felinology Federation (FIFe) does not recognize them as a breed and does not allow them to participate in exhibitions.
Folds, on the other hand, are accepted by:.in. Cat Lovers Association (CFA) or The International Cat Association (TICA).
This breed is therefore highly controversial due to the conscious reproduction of cats exposed to painful diseases resulting from a genetic defect.
- Scottish fold cat in character
- What a Scottish fold looks like?
- Scottish fold grooming
- Scottish Fold Cats Diseases
- Osteochondrodysplasia
- Polycystic kidney disease
- Neonatal isoerythrolysis
- For whom the Scottish fold will be the perfect cat?
Scottish fold cat in character
Scottish fold cat in character Folds are one of the friendliest cat breeds.
They are cheerful, curious, calm and enjoy the company of both people and other domestic animals. They often choose one of their caregivers whom they can follow step by step, but are not too intrusive when it comes to demanding caresses.
They are eager to retrieve, they can open cabinets in search of treats and solve puzzles given to them by producers of interactive toys for cats.
They are quiet cats and their mewing is very gentle and pleasant to the ear.
What a Scottish fold looks like?
What a Scottish fold looks like? Scottish folds are often compared to owls because they have round heads, large, also round eyes and drooping ears, reminiscent of the birds just mentioned.
Contrary to certain breeds of dogs (e.g. Yorkies or German Shepherds), which are born with floppy ears that begin to "stand " in later age, folds are born with straight turbinates that fall off at the age of approx. 3-4 weeks.
Or, of course, they don't drop at all.
Scottish fold cat weight
They are medium-sized cats whose body weight ranges from 2.5 to 6 kg.
Scottish cat breed description
- The head is clearly round with a strong chin and jaws.
- Well defined, broad cheeks and a rounded muzzle.
- Eyes are large, round, set wide apart, of a color matching the color of the coat.
- The nose is short and broad, slightly curved.
- The ears are small, rounded at the tips, set wide apart, bent forward and downward.
- The neck is short, turning into a stocky and rounded body.
- The tail is medium or long, in proportion to the body length, flexible, tapering towards the tip.
Scottish fold cat color
The coat can be short or long.
In the case of the short-haired varieties, the hair is dense, soft and not too close to the body, nor too protruding from the surface of the body.
In the case of long-haired varieties, the so-called. Highland Fold, a long hair over the entire body surface is preferred, but a shorter hair is allowed in the limbs and head.
A distinctly longer plume on the tail, between the toes, hind legs and on the inside of the ears.
All possible colors and patterns as well as their combinations are allowed.
You can also see what the Scottish Fold basket looks like in the video below
Golden Ticked Scottish Fold kitten, the Cuttest kitten ever.
Watch this video on YouTube
Scottish fold grooming
Scottish fold grooming Brush the short-haired Scottish folds once a week to keep their coat in good condition and remove the hair loss.
In the case of Highlands, the care should be a bit more intensive - combing twice a week, as long hair tends to tangled and clump together.
The rest is basic cosmetics - trimming claws, cleaning ears when necessary, as well as brushing teeth, to which we have to get kittens accustomed to from the first days of their stay with us.
Scottish Fold Cats Diseases
Scottish Fold Cats Diseases Osteochondrodysplasia
The collapsed auricle of folds is the result of a congenital developmental deformity of the cartilage that would normally support the ear.
This deformation affects the cartilage not only within the ears, but throughout the body, where its damage has a much greater impact on the lives of animals affected by it.
The gene responsible for its occurrence is an autosomal dominant gene with incomplete penetrance. This means that not in all individuals the trait conditioned by him will be phenotypically manifested.
In cats that are homozygous for the presence of this abnormal gene, osteochondrodysplasia develops early in life, most often around the age of approx. 7 weeks.
The following is then observed:
- deformities and shortening of the limbs,
- short and stiff tail,
- joint swelling,
- soreness in the limbs,
- reluctance to move, up to complete inability to move.
In heterozygous individuals (with only one gene copy) the disease progresses more slowly but also occurs, so each fold will be affected in some way.
To reduce the occurrence of this mutation, breeders associate Scottish Fold cats with erect ears, but most federations are against promoting the breed for ethical reasons.
The disease is diagnosed on the basis of characteristic clinical symptoms and X-ray or MRI.
Osteochondrodysplasia is incurable.
Polycystic kidney disease
Kidney cystic disease is a condition involving the formation of cysts in the parenchyma of the kidneys, both in the cortex and in the medulla.
The cysts can enlarge over time, causing these organs to become irregularly enlarged.
On ultrasound, changes may be visible at an early age, approx. 6-8 weeks of age.
The disease can be asymptomatic for a long time, but it can also lead to kidney failure, most often manifesting later in life.
Treatment is only to reduce the symptoms and effects of uremia.
If this disease is found in breeding cats, they should be excluded from breeding, because it is an inherited disease.
Neonatal isoerythrolysis
Statistically, among Scottish fold cats, 85% of individuals have blood group A, and 15% have blood group B.
Naturally, a small amount of anti-B antibodies circulates in the blood of a cat with group A, while in the case of group B it is quite the opposite - quite a lot of anti-A antibodies are produced.
The selection of parents in terms of these groups is important, because in the case of mating a female with blood group B (the presence of anti-A antibodies) with a male with group A, newborn kittens may have both groups B and A (antigen A is dominant).
If the offspring have a group other than the mother, the so-called. serological conflict.
Kittens who are suckling mother and colostrum take anti-A antibodies against their own red blood cells, leading to hemolytic anemia.
The course may be acute, ending in a short time with sudden death, or clinical signs of anemia may develop gradually, such as:
- weakening,
- pallor of the mucous membranes,
- jaundice,
- circulatory and respiratory failure,
- necrosis of the tip of the tail or the edges of the auricles.
Treatment consists of weaning kittens as soon as possible and feeding them with milk substitutes and counteracting the effects of anemia.
For whom the Scottish fold will be the perfect cat?
For whom the Scottish fold will be the perfect cat? That is the question ?
Scottish folds, when it comes to character, can actually be recommended to everyone. They are devoid of aggression, friendly towards people and animals, cheerful, balanced and basically undemanding.
They do not need large spaces or a lot of exercise and both children and the elderly can cope with them.
These cats are suitable for large families with a large game as well as for singles. Like every animal, they need attention and contact with the guardian, because we buy them not to make them look nice and "decorate " our surroundings, but to be our companions and friends, for good or bad.
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