Are Siamese cats more frequently sick than other cats?

bigperm20

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Are Siamese cats more frequently sick than other cats? I ask b/c my little Meezer has his 2nd URI in the last month right now. It's frustrating.
 
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orientalslave

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This is kind of an old thread but no matter... Are Siamese cats more frequently sick than other cats? I ask b/c my little Meezer has his 2nd URI in the last month right now. It's frustrating.
They shouldn't be.  Does your cat go out?  Is he vaccinated?  Did he come from a registered breeder?
 
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bigperm20

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He doesn't go out. He is vaccinated. You know him from another thread. He's supposedly a pedigreed cat but I was never able to get his papers from the previous owner. She lost them during a move and I've given up harassing her to find them. It's her Freshman year at my Alma Mater, MTSU, so she's as busy as a worker bee.

This thread was created by a mod. I actually had asked this question of another user who runs a Siamese rescue. I am taking him back to the vet today. I just worry about 2 runs of antibiotics that close together. Plus they make him have poopie issues:mad:

Here is a pic of Leonidas to refresh your memory.
 
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aeevr

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So pretty. My understanding is that the very old breeds do not have congenital health issues (were bred out a long time ago).

What's she stressed about?
 
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txcatmom

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I'm sure you may have heard of this....but just in case you haven't....I've found l-lysine to be a promising supplement for treating and preventing kitty colds (my vet recommended it.)  It helps keep the virus (or viruses?) that cause(s) kitty colds in check.  Here's what I order and sprinkle on their food....


That jar lasts a long time and all my kitties love the taste and lick it off their food first.  It has sort of a fishy smell.  From what I have read and experienced this is one of those supplements that really works.  I'm pretty sure two of my cats have the feline herpes virus dormant in their systems.  Not a big deal, they are just more prone to kitty colds and one has eye flare ups.  I'm pretty sure this supplement is helping.
 
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bigperm20

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@Aaevr he isn't under any stress as far as I can see. He is pretty high strung sometimes (typical meezer personality) but I play with him and give him constant attention. When I'm not giving him attention his DSH roomie Oksana is wrestling, bathing, or sleeping by him. He's an absolute joy of a cat. He has a definite naughty streak in him, but under that tough exterior is a big ole' cuddle monster.

Thx @Txcatmom I appreciate it. I have seen your thoughts on that stuff when researching Lysine in other threads, but I never knew what particular brand. I just ordered some.

The vet told me the last time I took him that she thought it was FHV that caused the URI. I dismissed it b/c I looked up the symptoms of FHV & he didn't seem to mimic any of them. I must admit though, his getting sick again so quickly 2 weeks after 10 days of antibiotics looks bad.

We'll see what the vet says today.
 

txcatmom

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I just ordered some.
Great.  Hope it helps.  The daily amount they suggest on the package seems a little high to me from what I've read.  They say two heaping scoops (the scoop is tiny) per day but that would be 1000 mg.  I've read to use 500 mg per day so I just use two level scoops. 
 

emilymaywilcha

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Big Perm: FYI red tabby points mean it is not a purebred Siamese. They are called colorpoints when that happens. Meezers only come in four colors and orange tabby is not one of them. I also doubt that is a registered breeder's cat because no good breeder would allow the legs and face to be cream with point colors only on the ears, nose, paws, and tail.

So to answer your question, no, being Siamese has nothing to do with being sick, because the cat is not a Siamese.
 

flintmccullough

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Who told you he is a Siamese? He is not, lol, looks nothing like a Siamese, and Emily is correct, a Siamese would not have tabby markings.   


Here is a link to what Siamese look like.     http://www.cfainc.org/client/breedSiamese.aspx

Anyhow, lol, ask your vet to test for Bartonella. Its when a URI just won't go away, or goes away, but keeps coming back. Its a blood test, and they have to specifically test for it, it does not show up in the CBC and Wellness blood panel.  It should be sent to Antech or Idexx, they are a lab, and do not do it,

in house (at the vets).  

Usually they would then put the kitty on Baytril, its a stronger antibiotic.  Had to go that route once, when 2 rounds of different antibiotics didn't work. Not Bartonella or URI, he found a chore boy under the bed at a show hotel and chewed it up.  The Baytril worked. 

I also agree with the L-Lysine, its an immune booster. Some give it when they are sick, some show people give it all the time, due to the exposure. Unless a vet tells you different, the dosage, goes by the weight of the cat. If kitty is under 9 lbs, you give 250 mgs once a day. If kitty is over 9 lbs, you give 500 mgs once a day, or most split it into 250 mgs twice a day.  I would not give 1000 mgs, unless a vet tells you to.    

Antibiotics have different families. If one is not working, they use a different family, just like with people.   What antibiotic are you on, and what is the kitty's symptoms?

Different breeds are prone to different health issues. Siamese are prone to one, which one now, I forget, but your kitty is not Siamese, so it really doesn't matter, lol.   

Hope your kitty is feeling better soon.   
  
 

Willowy

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I will point out that not all breeders are good breeders, not all breeders breed to the proper standards, and even good breeders sometimes have mismarks. I have met CFA registered Siamese who look like this cat.

I have heard that Siamese have delicate tummies and throw up more often. Whether that's true or not I don't know. There's no reason they should get infections more often, though. But if he's from a not-so-great breeder (probably), there may have been a fair amount of inbreeding going on, which can cause immune system issues.
 
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bigperm20

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Wow... Really? Don't get your panties in a bunch people! You know sometimes I wonder why people run away from here after 1 or 2 posts, and I think I just got a big dose of it.

According to my friend of 23 years (and his daughter) who I've known since the 4th grade, the cat's pedigree read COLOR POINT SHORT HAIR. I don't call him that b/c I figured it was common practice to call them Flame Point or Red Point Siamese like they do in the UK. Plus, know one knows what a CPSH IS...

Also with regards to his points/markings: he's pet quality. As for his legs, I challenge you to find a picture of a flame or cream CPSH that has red legs. The points stop at their feet. Google CPSH and you will see an awful lot of pedigreed cats that look like his twin brother or sister.

Like I said. I don't have his papers and if it suits you all just fine I'll just call him Mr. Moggie from now on. Maybe that will keep the hounds at bay.
 
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missymotus

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Actually it depends where you live, here Siamese come in all colours including tabby points. It seems to be only the US who separate the colours into different breeds, rather than by coat length as is done here and in Europe. Not at all incorrect to call him a Siamese.

I can't see the photo but don't believe yours is a tabby point anyway? red always shows tabby markings doens't make them an actual tabby.

If you can at least get the breeders prefix or her name you can get papers reissued. 

But to answer your original question, no he shouldn't' be any more prone to illness than any other breed.
 
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aeevr

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So pretty. My understanding is that the very old breeds do not have congenital health issues (were bred out a long time ago).

What's she stressed about?
I have no idea why I thought your cat was a girl or stressed.

If it's any consolation, it kinda tickles me when the breed experts quibble about this stuff. I don't know anything about breeds really.

I don't think anybody meant anything personal.
 

orientalslave

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Big Perm: FYI red tabby points mean it is not a purebred Siamese. They are called colorpoints when that happens. Meezers only come in four colors and orange tabby is not one of them. I also doubt that is a registered breeder's cat because no good breeder would allow the legs and face to be cream with point colors only on the ears, nose, paws, and tail.
Traditionally Siamese are only in seal, blue, chocolate and lilac but in the UK red and cream are both recognised (so torties are as well) as are tabby-points.  Uneven points are also common in a pet-quality cat.  However the head doesn't look much like any Siamese I've ever seen.
 
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orientalslave

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According to my friend of 23 years (and his daughter) who I've known since the 4th grade, the cat's pedigree read COLOR POINT SHORT HAIR.
Interesting that they don't say 'Siamese' - in the UK they would, the description your cat has would be for a cat that was from an 'oops' litter for example.
 

missymotus

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However the head doesn't look much like any Siamese I've ever seen.
Possibly pet q bred to pet q. Or someone trying for the more traditional type (even if not quite achieving)

It's also not true that older breeds don't have congenital issues
 
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bigperm20

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I'm sure I overreacted, but they are talking about my "child". Daddy-Bear gets angry when someone messes with his cubs.

When it comes to what a breed is supposed to look like the following rule applies:
Everybody has an opinion.
 
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missymotus

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When it comes to what a breed is supposed to look like the following rule applies:
Everyone has an opinion.
No, that's what breed standards are for, so the cats all look the same
 
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emilymaywilcha

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Traditionally Siamese are only in seal, blue, chocolate and lilac but in the UK red and cream are both recognised (so torties are as well) as are tabby-points. Uneven points are also common in a pet-quality cat. However the head doesn't look much like any Siamese I've ever seen.
I agree on the head, but remember Big Perm lives in the United States, so what the UK calls it is irrelevant.

A thread about the differences among cat registries would be an interesting topic in the Breeding Cats forum.

Back to the original topic: Why doesn't barnatella show up on regular blood panels?
 

missymotus

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Comments from other countries are still relevant and there's nothing wrong with BP saying Siamese over CPSH if he chooses

A thread about the differences among cat registries would be an interesting topic in the Breeding Cats forum
Except it's really, what the rest of the world does vs what the US calls colours so not much of a discussion
 
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