Scottish Fold Cat (Detailed Introduction)

　　The Scottish Fold cat is a product of gene mutation and inbreeding. Their body size is considered between American Shorthair and British Shorthair. All Scottish Fold kittens are born with straight ears, and not all kittens in a litter can have folded ears. Their ears start to fold down between 13-23 days after birth.

　　It is common to see Scottish Fold cats with enlarged limb joints in hospitals. When touching the enlarged parts, the cats typically do not resist. Most affected cats are relatively purebred Scottish Folds, which may have a genetic disease unique to folded ear cats.

　　Now I will introduce this genetic disease: Osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish Fold cats.

　　Osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish Fold cats is a hereditary disease affecting bone growth and joint cartilage formation, causing progressive skeletal deformities in the distal limbs and tail.

　　Initially, this disease was thought to be caused by spontaneous gene mutation. In 1966, breeding experiments found it is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease. At first, it was believed to only occur in purebred Fold cats. Later, many reported that crossbred cats with Fold ancestry also exhibited similar symptoms, but the severity was milder. As the disease progresses, various abnormal bone symptoms appear, such as progressive limping, stiff gait, high stepping, reluctance to jump or move.

　　Because this disease is caused by gene defects, treatment aims to relieve clinical symptoms and pain. The homozygous gene controls progressive bone lesions in distal limbs and tail. Radiological changes are already very obvious by 7 weeks of age.

　Typical symptoms of osteochondrodysplasia in Scottish Fold cats are:

　　1. Progressive limping, stiff gait, high stepping, reluctance to jump or move. Cats prefer sitting posture.

　　2. Bony hard swelling on the plantar side of the tarsal joints, especially on the tarsal and metatarsal bones of hind limbs, with no pain on palpation.

Scottish Fold Cat’s Hind Limbs

　　3. Very poor mobility of the tarsal joints, almost cannot bend.

　　4. No bony swelling on the dorsal and lateral sides of the tarsal joints.

　　5. Tail cannot wag.

　　The main basis for diagnosis is:

　　Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, breed (whether the parents have the disease or family genetic history), medical history, and X-ray examination results.

Blurred Joint Appearance in Forelimbs of Scottish Fold Cats

　　Prevention Method: Avoid breeding Fold cats with Fold cats, but this is practically impossible.