What diseases are Oriental Shorthair cats prone to?
Oriental Shorthairs are generally healthy but may be susceptible to the following:
- Hereditary liver amyloidosis: This condition causes hard, waxy lesions to accumulate in the liver. The build-up may cause blood in the abdomen and/or lead to eventual liver failure.
- Dilated cardiomyopathy: This heart condition is characterized by the heart muscles’ inability to contract properly, which ultimately leads to a decrease in blood pumping to the heart. When a cat has cardiomyopathy, both the heart chambers become enlarged from having to work harder to get blood through. The extra stress on the heart from the restricted blood flow often leads to congestive heart failure (CHF). The major symptoms of DCM include depression, loss of appetite, and weakness.