Scottish Fold Health Concerns...can They Be Healthy In Old Age?

Katiebird

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Thank you Katiebird! That's what I thought and nagged me to no end. I will keep searching for better breeders in and out of FL. Just it hasn't been easy. I appreciate your input!
You’re welcome! If you are looking for a breeder in Florida I am somewhat familiar with Scottishfoldery. I know she actively shows her cats and does health screening (not sure about HCM), and has a smaller cattery. This may be another option if you’re looking for a breeder in Florida.
 

British Girls

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Cats are very good at hiding pain. Most likely you noticed his arthritis because your cat was dealing with kidney disease too. The folded ear means defective cartilage which will affect all of the joints.
He was very active, played a lot, and never showed any signs of pain or discomfort. He had (as I stated in my first post) checkups twice a year and was always told by my vet that he was perfectly healthy.
 

kittyluv387

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He was very active, played a lot, and never showed any signs of pain or discomfort. He had (as I stated in my first post) checkups twice a year and was always told by my vet that he was perfectly healthy.
I'm glad he seemed fine. I just don't support knowingly playing russian roulette with a cat's life for some extra cuteness. That's just me though.
 

Seadreamer

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And I haven't found reviews or complaints on them. They have a Facebook page but no reviews there as well. They have on their website links to the Instagram accounts of owners of cats they have sold. They may just be a small cattery and this is how they operate, but what do I know!
Riocat,

I just found a breeder that you may want to check out. The name is Montemurrs. They are out of Canada but they ship and they seem reputable. They offer genetic testing and seem to care about the cats, not just the sale. Let me know what you think. Good Luck
Kimberly
 

Riocat

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Riocat,

I just found a breeder that you may want to check out. The name is Montemurrs. They are out of Canada but they ship and they seem reputable. They offer genetic testing and seem to care about the cats, not just the sale. Let me know what you think. Good Luck
Kimberly
Thank you very much! Checking them out and they have kittens!!
 

Riocat

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Can anyone give us an opinion about Montemurrs?I would appreciate it :)
 

Katiebird

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Can anyone give us an opinion about Montemurrs?I would appreciate it :)
I haven’t heard of this cattery and am assuming they don’t show their cats. I would just ensure that they are doing appropriate health screening (Felv/Fiv, PKD, HCM at a minimum) and that they don’t send kittens home until they are at least 14-16 weeks old and have been spayed or neutered. I would also ensure that the kittens are either TICA or CFA registered and have at least a one year health guarantee.
 

ailish

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Thank you for all the knowledge included by the posters on this thread. A question did arise in my mind. Is it fair to assume that a Straight will have none of the increased chances of health problems that the Folds have? I mean, obviously the Folds have cartilage issues and seemingly other problems, but is all that part of the one fold gene or do even the Straights run risks, just not as frequent or serious? Straights clearly do have some visible genetic traits that they share with Folds hence the cuteness factor, but does that extend to above average risk to the heart and kidneys and maybe even the arthritis to a lesser extent? And I'm talking about a more than average risk here. Obviously any cat can get almost anything along the way. Just curious.
 

lutece

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A straight-eared kitten, assuming that it doesn't have the folded-ear gene, would not have the risk of osteochondrodysplasia which is associated with the folded-ear gene. It would not have an increased risk of arthritis compared to any other cat.

By risk to the heart and kidneys, are you talking about HCM and PKD?
 

lutece

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HCM and PKD are not connected to the folded-ear gene. You will want to talk to the breeder about how they screen for those conditions in their breeding cats.
 

Lovemymees

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Hi Katiebird,

I just found this thread an appreciate your insight on this topic!

I was wondering if you knew a way for an owner to get tests of HCM or other genetic issues related to folds, so that they could know if their cat will have issues?

I have a fold from this cattery and he is healthy so far (born Sept 2018), but I am not sure of any genetic testing done.

I appreciate any insight you can offer, thank you!

I’m sorry for the loss of your kitty to HCM, I know how hard it is. There aren’t as many fold breeders working with colorpoints as they were not allowed by CFA for a long time, but are allowed by TICA. I know of one breeder in Ohio, Emmers Scottish Folds and Straights, that’s had pointed kittens in the past. The only other breeder I know of that works with pointeds is Starla’s Cats in Texas, but I don’t know if they HCM screen or not. I would make sure that any Fold breeder you’re considering actively shows their cats and screens for Felv/Fiv, PKD and HCM at a minimum. Sometimes it is worth while compromising on your desired color in order to find a healthy kitten from a reputable breeder, in my opinion.
I looked at their website and am not impressed. I personally have never heard of them, and I know of a lot of Fold breeders. They do not mention any health testing that is done on their breeding cats, they don’t show their cats that I can see, and they let kittens go to their new homes unaltered. They also mention that they have a 1 year health guarantee but it will cost you 20% of the purchase price of the kitten. This is ridiculous and I’ve never heard of any breeder charging more for a health guarantee. I sell my kittens with a three year guarantee, but this is something I provide for every kitten, not just those who want to pay more for it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people starting to breed Folds because they are popular and they can charge quite a bit for them. I would walk away from this breeder, personally.
 

lutece

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I was wondering if you knew a way for an owner to get tests of HCM or other genetic issues related to folds, so that they could know if their cat will have issues?
There is currently no genetic test for HCM in Scottish Folds. The only way to test for HCM in a Scottish Fold is to have an ultrasound screening done by a specialist vet. Screening starts around age 1 or 2, then is repeated every year or two, because HCM can develop later in life.

If your cat is an altered pet, I wouldn't worry about having your cat screened unless you have a reason to suspect illness. It's an expensive test and not conclusive unless you repeat it. The primary reason to do this screening is if you are breeding your cat.
 

Michelle Meyer

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Hi all! I'm planning on getting a Scottish Shorthair cat in the next six months. I was originally planning on getting one with straight ears (more cost effective and no genetic mutation concerns) but found a fairly priced folded kitten available online. Now I'm reconsidering...but I'm worried about the cartilage issues.

Has anyone here had a Scottish fold live to be happy and healthy in old age? Any advice/personal stories Scottish fold owners can share please let me know!
Hello - I have a 13 year old boy who is very happy. Although he does have significant arthritis. I believe he was incorrectly bred Fold vs. Fold.For him if I can keep his regimen consistent for him he does well. He also has mega colon. Good luck
 

Hops123

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Hi all! I'm planning on getting a Scottish Shorthair cat in the next six months. I was originally planning on getting one with straight ears (more cost-effective and no genetic mutation concerns) but found a fairly priced folded kitten available online. Now I'm reconsidering...but I'm worried about the cartilage issues.

Has anyone here had a Scottish fold live to be happy and healthy in old age? Any advice/personal stories Scottish fold owners can share please let me know!
I have a Scottish cat too. I recommend you buy it too :)
 

JulietteTruong

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This thread makes me depressed 😕. A major part of feline lifestyle depends on agility and mobility, and to think that would be hindered in a cat is so sad. I just hate the idea of a cat struggling with body pains and joint pains.
 

Maria Bayote

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My Graham is a Scottie, and I dread the day she would be having these health issues. She was given to me when she was around 2-3 months old by a local lady as she could not take care of her many scottish folds. For now Graham is an active, happy and healthy cat. She is very sweet, a lapcat. Likes to be petted but not held. I hope she stays that way.
 

lutece

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The health concerns are the reason why many breeders have now moved to working with straight-eared Scottish cats that do not have the folded-ear gene. Straight-eared Scottish cats are accepted for competition in TICA, and have recently been accepted for competition in CFA.
 
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