Persian Cats Inherited Diseases

One of the Persian cat inherited diseases according to Ross D.Clark, DVM is a rare disease called Mannosisdosis. As is often the case with genetic diseases in cats, it also affects people. This disease has been found in Persian cats. The disease is caused by a deficiency in enzyme alpha-mannosidase. This enzyme catabolizes N-linked glycoproteins. The word "catabolizes" means: To undergo or cause to undergo catabolism. Catabolism means: the set of metabolic pathways which break down molecules into smaller units and release energy (src: Wikipedia).

Cat are often still born if they have this disease. Or they die within 2 months showing signs of apathy, weakness and diarrhea before dying. Other symptoms are:

• Central neuropathy (e.g. ataxia, hypermetric gait, slow righting and flexor muscles, intention tremor and strabismus from 3-7 months of age). Ataxia: Loss of the ability to coordinate muscular movement.
  
• Skeletal abnormalities
• Eye abnormalities including cataracts, fine diffuse stippling of the corneas
• Retarded growth
• Thymic aplasia, polycystic kidney disease and large thyroid glands may be present

Other inherited disease that might affect the Persian cat are:

• Mannosidosis
• Seborrhea
• Polycystic kidney disease
• Chediak-Higashi syndrome
• Congenital ankyloblepharon
• Entropion (scroll down)
  
• Congenital epiphora
• Primary glaucoma
• Peripheral pseudocysts
• Patellar luxation
• Hip dysplasia

See Genetic Diseases in Purebred Cats for more or these diseases generally