Are Burmese cats worth it?

Are Burmese cats prone to hypokalemia?

This is a fairly healthy cat breed. However, European Burmese cats have been found to have a higher risk for diabetes mellitus than their American counterparts. However, both cats are predisposed to hypokalemia, which is a disorder characterized by low potassium levels in the blood.

Are Burmese cats good pets?

Burmese cats are best suited for active households due to their social nature. They also make excellent pets for people who are at home all the time. Do not get one if you know that they will be alone for extended periods. Doing so will only increase bad behavior.

Are Burmese cats heavy shedders?

No, Burmese cats are not heavy shedders. The Burmese is considered to be one of the world’s lowest shedding breeds. These cats have fine silky coats with very low maintenance, with the most common coat color among the Burmese being sable (dark brown).

Do Burmese cats have silky fur?

These cats have fine silky coats with very low maintenance, with the most common coat color among the Burmese being sable (dark brown). Burmese cats have a short hair length; therefore, you might not notice their fur all over your home even when they do shed.

Do Burmese cats have allergies?

As mentioned, cat allergies are usually triggered by the proteins and antigens produced by cats. And even cats that produce low amounts of these proteins, or the secretions which contain these proteins, can trigger a wide range of allergic reactions like skin and breathing allergies. So, we have rated the Burmese for both…

What is hypokalaemic polymyopathy in cats?

Global importance: Hypokalaemic polymyopathy is a genetic disease of Burmese cats that has been encountered in Australasia, Europe and South Africa. Clinical features: Affected cats usually present with signs of muscle weakness and muscle pain in the first year of life.

What is Burmese hypokalemia in cats?

Burmese hypokalemia is an inherited disorder found in Burmese cats that is characterized by skeletal muscle weakness that can cause affected cats to have trouble walking and holding their heads correctly. Phenotype: Burmese hypokalemia is characterized by episodes of low serum potassium levels and high creatine phosphate kinase levels.

What kind of coat does an Burmese cat have?

Burmese coats are short, silky, and very low-maintenance. Despite their relative heaviness, they are elegant and graceful cats with strong muscles and good bone structure. They come in a variety of colours, including sable, champagne, platinum and blue. They have wide-set, large eyes ranging between yellow and amber.

Is the Bombay cat a domestic or foreign breed?

With an exotic name like this, it does seem like it would be a foreign breed, but it is actually a domestic breed. The Bombay is the cross between a Burmese and an American Shorthair, and it’s a local cat. It is native to America thanks to its parentage, though no one is entirely certain whether or not the parents were wild or housecats.

How do you test for Burmese cat allergies?

If you do have an allergy to cats, the best way to test your allergies with Burmese is to visit the home of a breeder and handle the cats to determine what type of reaction may occur. 4. What is the difference between Burmese and European Burmese?

What do Burmese cats eat?

As with many breeds of cats, the burmese cat can eat numerous types of homemade meals. It is imperative that they consume protein as this ancient breed would eat its prey. They are able to eat chicken, turkey, fish, and other types of seafood.

What are the signs and symptoms of Burmese hypokalemia?

Phenotype: Burmese hypokalemia is characterized by episodes of low serum potassium levels and high creatine phosphate kinase levels. Clinical signs include episodes of skeletal muscle weakness which is most obvious in the neck muscles, but sometimes occurs in just the limbs.

What is hypokalemia in cats?

Hypokalemia is a deficiency of potassium in the blood plasma, the straw-coloured, liquid part of the blood which makes up approximately 55% of the blood volume. Also known as kalium (with the symbol K), cats obtain potassium through their diet.

What is the difference between hypokalemia and polymyopathy?

Hypokalemia is the medical term used to describe low potassium levels in the blood, and polymyopathy refers to any disease that affects multiple muscles at the same time. Together, they form hypokalemic polymyopathy, which is the weakening of muscles caused by low levels of potassium in the blood.

What causes hypokalemic polymyopathy in cats?

Hypokalemic polymyopathy can be caused by a number of conditions, including an unbalanced diet and chronic kidney disease. If you spot any of the symptoms, you will need to take your cat to a vet immediately to treat the low potassium level.

Where does potassium come from in cats?

Also known as kalium (with the symbol K), cats obtain potassium through their diet. Over 90% of potassium is located within the body’s cells (intracellular), the remainder is present in the extracellular fluid of the blood.

What are the symptoms of hypokalemia in cats?

The main effect of severe hypokalemia is generalized muscle weakness. Affected cats have difficulty in getting up and walking, and may appear almost “drunk” because of their weakness. A common and characteristic sign of the muscle weakness is the inability to raise the head into a normal position, so that the head is held down.

How long do Burmese cats live (and why)?

How Long Do Burmese Cats Live? The average Burmese cat lifespan can be anywhere from 9-13 years, but it is not unusual for these cats to live even to 16 years of age. Although this is the typical lifespan for Burmese, numerous factors can affect their life expectancy.

Can a Burmese cat be affected by inherited hypokalemia?

Inherited hypokalemia (familial episodic hypokalemic polymyopathy) has been known to affect some Burmese and related cat breeds. Potassium shifts from the extracellular to the intracellular fluid: Administration of sodium bicarbonate to treat metabolic acidosis can push potassium into cells.

What should I Feed my Burmese cat?

A varied diet such as canned food, cheese, some mince and dried biscuits should be adequate. They should not be fed solely on dry food as this may cause kidney problems. Burmese usually have large litters, between six and eight kittens, with few problems. Kittens are born with coffee-coloured coats which then develop into the final colour.