In every cat lover’s heart, there is a helpless “pain,” and that is the Scottish Fold cat.
With round, big eyes, chubby cheeks, and folded ears that are incredibly adorable, Scottish Fold cats have captured the hearts of many cat enthusiasts.
Many cat owners may mistakenly believe that by bringing home a Scottish Fold cat, they can avoid the clutches of illness.
However, the reality is that any cat with the fold gene cannot have completely normal bones. In other words, Scottish Fold cats are 100% prone to illness, although the severity of the condition may vary among individuals.
Furthermore, the genetic defect of Scottish Fold cats is inherited through autosomal semi-dominant inheritance. This means that even if the offspring appear to have straight ears, they may still carry the gene for the folded ears and associated health issues.
Signs of illness in Scottish Fold cats include:
- Short, thick tail that cannot bend or wag.
- Short hind legs that are bent, enlarged, or have lumps.
- Swollen joints in all four limbs and deformed toes.
- Abnormally thickened hind paw pads that do not touch the ground when the cat is sitting up.
- Abnormal nail growth and thicker paw pads.
At every stage of a Scottish Fold cat’s life, they are susceptible to developing these health issues, which can cause mobility problems and significant pain. Even without illness, they may experience problems such as enlarged joints, bone deformities, and weakened immune systems.
There are many funny videos of Scottish Fold cats circulating on the internet, showing them sitting still for long periods or walking with a wobbly gait. However, these behaviors are actually signs of illness in Scottish Folds.
The cute chubby paw pads and short tails may seem endearing, but they are the result of abnormal bone structure.
The seemingly miraculous ability to sit like a human is due to stiffness in their hind legs, providing a slight reduction in discomfort.
First, there is excessive bone growth, then bone spurs, and ultimately paralysis and death.
Can the illness in Scottish Fold cats be cured?
Sadly, there is no cure for the genetic disease in Scottish Fold cats. The pain and suffering will accompany them throughout their lives.
All we can do is help alleviate their pain to some extent:
- Regular check-ups: Due to their weaker constitution, Scottish Fold cats should undergo annual health check-ups to monitor changes in their bones and detect issues early for prevention.
- Nutritional supplements: During illness, timely supplementation of chondroitin sulfate and joint-protective medications is recommended. There is no specific need for calcium supplementation as it is not significantly related to the condition. It’s important to follow veterinary advice regarding any medication to minimize unnecessary harm.
- Low-salt diet to reduce the burden on the body.
- Maintain hygiene to prevent secondary diseases due to their weaker constitution.
The most important point is to have Scottish Fold cats spayed or neutered and to stop the inhumane breeding practices.
No buying, no harm. Ultimately, the only way to spare these cats from the torment of this genetic disease is to stop breeding Scottish Fold cats.
Only when the market for Scottish Folds gradually cools down and the demand for breeding them decreases can we prevent innocent Scottish Fold cats from being born into a life of pain and suffering.