One of the most popular cat breeds in the US and Europe is Siamese. These cats that are natives of Thailand have a rich history. Did you know that the cats used to live in the royal palaces in Thailand?

Like is the case with any purebreed, there are a number of genetic issues that Siamese cats are prone to. Mixed breeds tend to be healthier due to their diverse genes.

Below are some of the common medical disorders that Siamese cats may have.

Meezer Issues

Initially, Siamese cats were quite delicate and frail. However, this is no longer the case. Over the years, responsible breeders have evolved the breed to make it relatively free of serious health issues. The cats may, however, still experience some minor disorders.

Siamese cats usually have a difficult time with anesthesia, more than other cats. Therefore, you should be careful when carrying out routing procedures such as spraying or medical procedures such as dental work. Also, some Siamese cats still carry the gene for cross-eyedness (convergent strabismus). While the cat may look funny, her behavior or ability to see well will not be affected.

The other Meezer issue you should know about is kinked tail. You are likely to see this issue from time to time. In the past, breeders wanted cats that had kinked tails or multiple coccygeal hemivertebrae. However, times have changed and breeders know that these are a fault. This is why most cats do not have these traits.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Siamese cats and intelligent and gregarious, and hence need company. This explains why majority of Siamese cats in rescue centers are given to Siamese rescue organizations. When you put Siamese cats in a shelter, they don’t “show well” and become depressed. However, the cats do much better in foster homes.

One of the ways that stressed Siamese cats cope is by developing psychogenic alopecia. This is a psychological disorder that makes the cat lick obsessively to the point of causing bald spots. This tendency to over-groom can also be caused by anxiety or boredom due to various factors such as problem with other cats, a new household member or even a new home.

Respiratory Problems

Majority of Siamese cats tend to have respiratory problems. These problems are prominent even in adult Siamese cats. Upper respiratory infection (URI) can be caused by one or two common pathogens. The first is the feline rhinotracheitis virus which can last from 2 to 4 weeks. This URI is characterized by drooling and sneezing. The other is calcivirus, which lasts for about a week. This URI is characterized by general malaise, ulcers around the nose and mounts, nasal or eye discharge and widespread pains and aches,

However if your Siamese car is healthy, she is likely not to be affected by URI. This is especially the case if you have her up to date on vaccines and usually keep her indoors.

Vestibular Disease

Some Siamese cats can develop a genic problem in the ear known as vestibular disease. This problem is usually experienced in the nerves serving the ear and makes the cat display symptoms such as head tilting and loss of balance. A cat suffering from the diode can appear dizzy or disoriented.

Vestibular disease is not serious and within a few weeks, your cat will be fine. However, if the condition seems too much for your cat, you can contact a local vet for advice. You can use a veterinary finder website to locate local vets. Here is an example of pet finder site where you can locate Clovis veterinarians.

Generally, Siamese cats live longer than other breeds. Studies have shown the cats can live 20 year of more. The cats are also great companions and are overall healthy breeds.