Persian cat history
Persian is the name of the cat breed. Persian is the older name of the present Iran country. These cats will be having long hairs all over the body. These cats were also seen in turkey and other neighboring countries as early as 16th centuries. This longhaired variety must have evolved from shorthaired variety of Egypt due to the effect of mutation. The cold climates of the countries mentioned above must have triggered the mutation.
The characteristics of the Persian cat
These Persian cats will have heavily bones, cabby body with short but straight tail. These cats will have short legs and round and large head. The head of the cat will have large but round eyes and small flat nose. The ears of the cat will be small and tilting forward. The hair coat of the cat will be long and thick. The cat will have sweet temperament, laid-back attitude and will be very good to kids.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
As discussed earlier this disease is genetically induced disease that is found in Persian breed of cats. This disease is one of the feline healths, Persian cat problem. This disease has been in existence since the year 1967. But detailed research about the poly cystic kidney disease was conducted from the year 1990 onwards.
Polycystic kidney disease has late on set [average age for onset is seven years]. But the cysts will be present in the cat at the time of birth itself. As the animal grows older the cysts also increase in size and number thus increasing the size of the kidney. As the result the function of the kidney is totally affected leading to kidney failure.
Clinical signs of polycystic kidney
The affected animal will have excessive urination and excessive thirst. The cat will be found to be more depressed. As the result there will be reduced appetite, leading to severe weight loss. As this condition shows its appearance in older cats, there is risk that the cat may succumb to this disease. The cysts can also be seen in the uterus and liver but the incidences are very rare.
The Therapy
As this cat health, Persian cat problem is inherited there is no effective treatment to this disease. The treatment attempted is similar to the given for chronic kidney failure. The aim of the treatment should be to reduce the dietary protein and phosphorous. The cat must be given plenty of fresh water. Phosphate binders can be used in the diet or water. The cat must be treated for anemia if required. Prevention
This polycystic kidney disease is due to autosomal dominant gene. This gene must be tracked down and the positive cat must be eliminated. The presence of cysts at the time of birth can be found out using ultra sound technique. Such individuals must be eliminated from breeding. By careful elimination of the positive cats, the one of the cat health, Persian cat problem can minimized to a great extend.
Glossary
Polycystic kidney- the kidney with more number of cysts [fluid filled sacs].
Kidney- it is the filtering organ that removes the wastes from blood.