Siberian Cat Health

Siberian cat health is generally good. They are robust cats. One condition, though, to which this breed has a predisposition comes immediately to mind - Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy or HCM.

This is a well known heart disease affecting a number of purebred cat breeds in particular and potentially all domestic cats. It also affects humans, of course.

Cats can show signs of HCM from the age of 2 months until they are 24 years old. Although in another post on HCM in Bengal cats (in fact there are several posts on this important subject), I recall a comment made by a visitor to this site saying that it is unlikely to be present before 6 months old. I don't know if that is true. Update: HCM is late onset and not present at birth. A heart murmur is one of the first signs (a vet can check for this). Cats with a predisposition to HCM should be checked yearly therefore.

The average age for having HCM is apparently 4.8-7 years. Persian cats have been reported as being predisposed to contracting HCM. In addition, there is a high incidence in Maine Coon cats which is tragic. The level of occurrence in Maine Coons is about 30%. The Siberian cat also has a predisposition to HCM. This is perhaps the most important disease affecting Siberian cat health. The other cat breeds that are apparently affected are the Sphynx and Ragdoll amongst others. (src: Kerry Simpson, FAB Lecturer in Feline Medicine, University of Edinburgh).

The reason why HCM is present in the Siberian cat breed is because Siberian cats that were excellent in respect of "type" (appearance) carried (perhaps unknown to the breeder) HCM. This condition has therefore been bred into the breed. A similar tragedy is happening in the Bengal breed in my opinion.

Are there any other outstanding Siberian cat health issues? Yes, it seems one other, namely, FUS (feline urethral syndrome) or feline lower urethral tract disease to which this cat appears to be predisposed. It is not known if this disease is inherited (genetically based) but it would be wise when adopting a Siberian cat to check the lineage (parentage) in respect of occurrence of both these diseases.

I would have thought that the breeder selling the cats would be able to certify negative tests on both diseases as they are known conditions. FUS though is common throughout domestic cats as 30% will suffer from it at one time (src: HDW). My cat had cystitis on occasions.

FUS covers all lower urinary tract disorders including, blockages, kidney stones and infections.

Disclaimer: I am not a vet but a careful researcher. Sometimes misleading information can be circulated. I always cross check. Discuss these issues with the breeder before adopting.

Siberian Cat Health to Siberian Cat