I adopted a Birman this February from the RSPCA. We were told she was approximately 10 years old, which I didn't think was old as I assumed a life expectancy of around 20 years.
However, since finding out she's a Birman (we'd been told she was a Burmese cross), I've discovered that her life expectancy is only 15 years. Seems very short to me.
But anyway, the reason for posting is that I'm taking her to the vets on Saturday morning for a health check. She seems rather stiff in her gait, not at all like my other cats. Her stance is very low to the ground which makes me wonder if she's a little arthritic? I also wanted the vet to check her teeth as she's reluctant to eat the dry biscuit left down during the day.
When we first got her, she was very skinny, and although she appears to have put on some weight, her ribs can still be felt under all that fur.
She also has a bald spot at the base of her tail that concerns me.
Sorry about the long post, but does anyone else have a Birman that can tell me a little about what to expect in a cat of this age? I've only ever had moggies before and they've all been frightfully healthy.
Diana
However, since finding out she's a Birman (we'd been told she was a Burmese cross), I've discovered that her life expectancy is only 15 years. Seems very short to me.
But anyway, the reason for posting is that I'm taking her to the vets on Saturday morning for a health check. She seems rather stiff in her gait, not at all like my other cats. Her stance is very low to the ground which makes me wonder if she's a little arthritic? I also wanted the vet to check her teeth as she's reluctant to eat the dry biscuit left down during the day.
When we first got her, she was very skinny, and although she appears to have put on some weight, her ribs can still be felt under all that fur.
She also has a bald spot at the base of her tail that concerns me.
Sorry about the long post, but does anyone else have a Birman that can tell me a little about what to expect in a cat of this age? I've only ever had moggies before and they've all been frightfully healthy.
Diana