The American Shorthair is a pedigree cat that comes in a variety of coat patterns and colors, including silver, cream, blue, and red. These medium-sized cats are known for their good nature and get along well with children and other pets.
Like other cat breeds, the American Shorthair is prone to certain health problems, and it’s important to know what to expect if you are planning to bring one home. Here are the six most common American Shorthair cat health problems.
The 6 Common American Shorthair Cat Health Problems:
Some of the health issues discussed below are considered common in all cats, regardless of the breed. In general, American Shorthair cats are generally considered to be quite healthy when coming from a reputable breeder and having regular vet testing done.
1. Heart Disease
Heart disease is a serious health issue for humans, cats, and other animals. Cats may have heart disease from inherited conditions or through diseases that cause damage to the heart, such as an overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism.
Most commonly, cats suffer from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a thickening of the heart muscle. Less often, they may develop dilated cardiomyopathy, which was historically mostly caused by a deficiency of the amino acid taurine, or a restrictive cardiomyopathy. Regardless of the cause and type of heart disease, they can cause life-threatening signs, often at the time of diagnosis. Cats rarely show any signs early on, which is why the illness often goes unnoticed until it’s already quite advanced.
Several signs can indicate heart disease and even heart failure, including labored breathing, sometimes open-mouth breathing, poor appetite, lethargy, weight loss, collapse, and sudden paralysis. It’s important to have your cat examined by a vet to definitively diagnose heart disease.
2. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease
Urinary tract diseases are common in many cats and can arise from many different causes. Cats that are overweight or less active may be more prone to urinary issues, particularly when exposed to stress and changes in the household.
Cats with this condition may show signs of difficulty or pain during urination, straining to urinate, frequent urination, and bloody urine. They may also urinate outside of the litterbox or just beside it, such as on a tile floor or bathtub. They may lick themselves excessively as well.
If your cat is experiencing any signs of urinary issues, it’s important to get them seen by a vet immediately. Male cats are particularly prone to urinary obstructions, and this can lead to life-threatening health complications if not treated urgently.
3. Kidney Disease
American Shorthairs can suffer from kidney disease, common in many cat breeds, especially in older and geriatric cats, which is when the kidneys experience progressive loss of function. Kidney disease can also occur in younger cats, often due to hereditary or genetic causes, infections, secondary to a urinary blockage, or due to toxin exposure.
Cats can have acute or chronic kidney disease. Acute kidney failure is sudden and may be caused by poisonings, such as toxic plants or antifreeze, trauma, shock, or infection. Chronic kidney disease isn’t as obvious and may not have a clear cause, though it can be brought on by hereditary or genetic causes, recurrent kidney infections, toxins, or secondary to blockages or other health issues.
Some of the signs of kidney disease include frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, low appetite, often dilute-looking urine, diarrhea, and vomiting. Cats may also show signs like constipation, apathy, weakness, and bad breath. It’s important to have your cat tested and evaluated by your vet to catch early signs of kidney problems.
4. Hyperthyroidism
Older cats may develop hyperthyroidism, a benign enlargement of the thyroid gland, or less commonly a tumor in the thyroid gland, which again is commonly benign, and rarely of malignant origin. This gland is responsible for controlling the metabolic rate and many other functions in the body. When it’s overactive, it can cause a cat’s body to run in “overdrive,” often leading to complications like hypertension, heart disease, and associated problems.
Cats with hyperthyroidism will often have weight loss despite an increased appetite, excessive thirst and urination, vomiting, diarrhea, poor coat condition, and hyperactivity. This disease develops slowly, so it may be advanced before the signs are noticed. It’s important to have your cat’s blood regularly tested to spot problems early on.
5. Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease is a genetic condition well-documented in Persian, Exotic Shorthair, and related breeds, although it may occur in American Shorthair and other cats, although not commonly. It involves cysts that develop within the kidneys and sometimes the liver. Over time, these cysts may slowly enlarge and destroy the organ, though the time this takes can vary between individuals.
There’s no cure for polycystic kidney disease, but it can be managed with diet and medication. Cats with this disease often have weight loss, excessive thirst, vomiting, and other signs of poor overall health. Blood or urine testing can detect early problems in organ function, but you can also test your cat for the genetic markers of polycystic kidney disease.
6. Diabetes Mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a disease of the pancreas that affects insulin production and blood sugar regulation. Obesity and age are the most significant risk factors.
The early signs of diabetes mellitus include weight loss, increased appetite, and increased urination, which may be difficult to spot early on. Vets can test cats for diabetes mellitus by monitoring the level of glucose (blood sugar) in the blood or urine. The kidneys conserve glucose; however, it may not be present in the urine until excessive levels are reached. Fortunately, diabetes mellitus is treatable, though it is a chronic condition.
Conclusion
Like all cats, American Shorthairs are prone to several health conditions, although considered a generally healthy breed. Most of these conditions are manageable or preventable with good lifestyle choices and regular veterinary care, so they should not prevent you from having a long and happy life with your American Shorthair cat.
Featured Image Credit: Lalandrew, Shutterstock
The 6 Common American Shorthair Cat Health Problems:
