Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats (30 page)

COMMON CONGENITAL PROBLEMS IN CATS

While there have been very few thorough studies of birth defects in cats, the most common problems occur in the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, and skeletal tissues. (This is true of all domestic animals and humans.) In alphabetical order, the special congenital problems that affect cats follow.

Brachycephalic head (Peke face):
Marked by an unusually short and wide head, the deformity is exemplified by long-haired Persians and newer strains of Burmese. Cats from these lines produce lethal birth defects involving the eyes, nasal tissue, and jaws in nearly one out of four kittens. Also, a brachycephalic head is associated with an increased incidence of cleft palate.

Brain and skull problems:
Cats that have an undersized cerebellum in the brain may have poor coordination, tremors, excessive tension in the limb muscles, and slowed reflexes. Swelling of the brain (hydrocephalus) can be inherited in the Siamese. In some cats, the roof of the skull does not close, causing abnormal expansion of the brain. In others the brain degenerates even before birth (a condition that’s usually fatal).

Cancer of the ear:
White-haired cats are the prime victims of this ailment because of repeated sunburn of their sensitive ears.

Cardiovascular defects:
Key malformations include a narrowing of the aorta, the heart’s main artery, or nonclosure of the aortic duct. Both conditions are common causes of heart murmurs. Cats may also have other kinds of heart and aorta malformations.

Cleft palate:
In some Siamese, a cleft palate seems to be hereditary, but it can also be caused by various drugs ingested during pregnancy.

Cryptorchidism:
The phenomenon of undescended testicles is not unusual among male cats.

Deafness:
Many blue-eyed white cats are deaf from birth and often have poor resistance to disease, reduced fertility, and impaired night vision.

Eye and eyelid defects:
The absence of the outer half of one or both upper lids (seen in Persians, Angoras, and the domestic short-hair) is included here, along with an albino or a multicolored iris (which is sometimes associated with deafness on the same side, sensitivity to light, and eye incoordination), degeneration of the retina (particularly in Siamese and Persians), strabismus (an inward rotation of one eye when the other is fixed on an object, common in Siamese), and nystagmus (involuntary movements of the eye).

Hair abnormalities:
Some cats are born with (or bred for) hairlessness or curly, short, plushlike hair, such as the “Rex” mutant, which has missing or abnormal guard hairs.

Hair balls (frequent):
It’s well known that this is a chronic problem in longhairs.

Kidney missing:
This abnormality occurs most often in males, and usually the right kidney is missing.

Limb defects:
Kittens sometimes show missing or extra toes or legs at birth.

Mammary gland abnormalities:
This occurs in the formation of the ducts that supply milk.

Spina bifida:
The vertebrae fail to close normally around the spinal cord, leading to motor and sensory problems in areas fed by affected nerves. The Manx, in particular, suffers from this problem because it is associated with the gene for taillessness. Symptoms can also include a hopping gait and incontinence.

Tail defects:
A missing tail is typical of the Manx but rare in others. Associated defects include spina bifida with hindquarter deformities and an abnormally small anus. Other cats can be born with a kinked tail.

Umbilical hernias:
Part of the intestines or some fat protrudes through the navel in this commonplace defect. Hernias of the diaphragm are also frequent.

PREVENTING CONGENITAL PROBLEMS

You can’t always help an animal that is born with a congenital problem. Sometimes surgery can correct a structural defect, and proper grooming, veterinary care, and feeding can control certain other problems. But the very best treatment for congenital defects is prevention. That means:

Never breed unhealthy animals.
Avoid breeding those pets with obvious birth defects or behavior difficulties. Even though the animal may not have a specific genetic problem, its overall support system is under par for developing healthy offspring. Also,
avoid acquiring such animals unless you are willing to provide them with the special care they need.

Don’t breed or select animals with family
health problems.
If their close relatives have congenital defects or inheritable behavioral or physical troubles, stay away. The tables beginning (
Behavioral Patterns and Congenital Defects in Dogs
) can help alert you to particular problems that may plague the breed(s) you are considering. Try to check on the medical histories of both parents and research what percentage of related puppies or kittens have had defects. It should be less than 5 percent.

Do not breed close relatives.
Mating two animals of the same family (such as parents, siblings, aunts and uncles, and grandparents) tends to “fix” latent defects into their offspring.

Don’t select or breed inbred animals.
Be particularly careful with breeds that are currently popular in your area, because it’s likely they have been weakened by intensive inbreeding.

Favor breeds that best resemble canine or
feline ancestors.
Look for size, face shape, ear shape, color, coat length and texture, tail shape, and limb proportions that most closely match that of wolves, coyotes, and wild cats. (Try to match at least four or five of these characteristics.) Canine examples include most of the retrievers, sled dog breeds, basenjis, shepherds, pointers, and spitzs. Feline examples include most shorthairs, especially those with more natural colors such as tabbies, silvers, and ancient breeds such as Korats and Abyssinians. If a given characteristic differs, consider the potential effect. A curly coat, for instance, will attract stickers. A pushed-in face will cause breathing problems. Long, floppy ears may harbor mites.

Occasionally, I have had the opportunity to examine and treat injured coyotes or foxes, and never have I found one with a foxtail in its ears or anywhere else on its body! Every inch of their bodies reflects the intelligence of millions of years of natural evolution and adaptation. I have been quite impressed with how perfectly their teeth fit together and with their fine hair coats, fastidious cleanliness, natural grace, and high intelligence. (Don’t try to adopt a truly wild animal: The place for them is in the wild, and they do not make good pets.)

Protect fertile and litter-bearing females.
If you plan to breed your female pet, avoid use of potentially damaging flea powders, cortisone, vaccinations, sedatives, anesthetics, and x-rays, unless natural aids fail and circumstances demand this kind of medical treatment. Feed her an optimal diet (see chapter 5) and make sure she does not consume food additives, moldy foods, poisonous household chemicals, or lawn grass or other plants treated with toxic herbicides, insecticides, or fungicides. This rule applies before and during pregnancy and during lactation.

Also, see that she does not become overheated. Excess heat can retard fetal brain growth. Don’t leave her locked in a hot car
with the windows closed (a good piece of advice concerning any animal) or overexercise her in hot weather (likewise). Nor should you take her on an arduous trek into high country or transport her in the baggage compartment of an airplane, because the lack of oxygen at high altitudes can induce a variety of fetal abnormalities.

SELECTING A HEALTHY ANIMAL

The tables that follow will alert you to potential problems in various breeds and mixed breeds. But how can you tell if a particular animal is healthy? Here is a “checkup” list you can use to pinpoint any congenital defects present. It also helps assess the likelihood of chronic health problems to come.

• What color is the coat? White animals, beautiful as they are, often fall victim to extra problems, such as skin cancers or deafness in white, blue-eyed cats. (Test for deafness by clapping your hands behind the animal’s head.) Gray collies sometimes have a blood immune problem, with increased susceptibility to infection.
  
• Check the nose and jaws. Are they unusually long and pointed or unusually short and pushed in? Odd shapes here should act as a warning against trouble with teeth and gums, in addition to potential respiratory problems.
  
• Are the upper and lower jaws the same size? Do the teeth fit together well? (This particularly applies to dogs.) Are the gums pale or inflamed? Is there a red line at the edge of the gums next to the teeth?
  
• Are the eyes normal-looking? Are they both the same color? Be cautious about eye trouble if the eyes are unusually small or large compared to other canines or felines. Discharges from the eyes signal plugged tear ducts, because tears and liquids would ordinarily be discharged through the nasal cavity.
  
• Does the animal move normally? Or does it swing its hips from side to side as it walks—a warning sign of possible canine hip dysplasia? Are the legs a normal length, and are the front and back legs in the right proportion relative to each other?
  
• Does the pigmentation over the nose look normal? If not, the animal may be subject to sunburn and skin cancer.
  
• Observe the animal carefully for normal temperament. Be wary of animals that seem unusually aggressive, clinging, jealous, fearful, suspicious, hyperactive, noisy, or unaware. Whether because of inheritance or environment, such problems may be difficult to live with and even harder to correct. If you want a playful or affectionate animal, choose the one that responds to your overtures. Roll a dog on its back and hold him there. If he fights to get up, he may be difficult to train and aggressive. A dog that keeps its tail low or acts submissive will be the most devoted and easiest to train.
  

Once you have the trust of the animal (and with the owner’s assistance, if necessary), take a closer look for problem signs.

• Is the coat attractive? Does it look and smell healthy and clean, or is it slightly greasy or thin? Are there reddish patches? Is the skin light pink or off-white in color, pliant and firm, or are some areas unusually thin, thick, dry, dark, red, or crusty? Is the skin covered with fleas?
  
• Does the animal breathe quietly and easily? Raspy, heavy sounds, especially after a little exertion, are not good signs.
  
• Look inside the ears. Check for any signs of inflammation or dark, waxy discharge. This could signal a chronic tendency toward ear trouble.
  
• Feel around the navel. You’re looking for a lump, which could be a sign of a hernia.
  
• Check the scrotum in an adult male for the presence of both testicles.
  

In spite of the many problems inappropriate breeding has caused, it is still possible to find a genetically healthy animal or one with only minor problems. If you don’t plan to breed the animal and don’t mind the extra work of caring for an animal with inherited problems, you can select from a wider variety. Although you cannot always foresee or control potential congenital problems, with just a bit of common sense you can actually do a great deal to minimize the risks. In the process, you will be doing a big favor not only for your own animals and yourself, but also for those whose time is yet to come.

CHOOSING THE BEST PET FOR YOU

When choosing a dog or cat, pick a breed that suits your lifestyle and preferences. Both dogs and cats vary widely in their temperaments and their needs, often along breed lines. Every day humane societies must euthanize healthy animals turned in because their unhappy owners did not anticipate certain issues. For instance, a mild-mannered person would be unwise to select a large dog from a breed that tends to dominate the owner. Similarly, a family with toddlers in the house should choose a breed less likely to snap at children. Those who live in an apartment with no yard should pick an animal suited to smaller confines, such as the Korat cat.

It is also important to consider size variations when you are selecting a dog. Clusters of traits tend to accompany size. Small dogs, for example, may be especially active and have a high demand for affection. Large dogs tend to be quieter and more patient with children. Dogs that are unusually large
or unusually small tend to have the most genetic problems, especially structural ones. Larger and more active dogs require the most space and consume the most food, which involves economic and ecological considerations. For example, a 70-to 80-pound dog needs as many calories every day as an adult woman. So if you plan to feed your dog a natural diet, as recommended in this book, it will be easier to deal with a smaller dog. Many people find it too expensive or too much work to prepare food for a larger dog. Such dogs almost always end up on a diet of commercial food, with the accompanying lower level of health.

BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS AND CONGENITAL DEFECTS IN DOGS

TOY AND SMALL DOGS

Basenji

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Quiet. Anemia. Hernias. Opaque cornea. Enteritis (diarrhea). Clean, no odor. Doesn’t bark. Natural size, shape and coat. Patient.

Beagle

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. More difficult. Very active. Barks excessively. Cataracts, glaucoma and other eye problems. Epilepsy. Hemophilia. Cleft lip and palate. Spinal deformities. Short or missing tail. Skin allergies.

Boston terrier

Notes:
Should sleep indoors. Very affectionate, active, needs attention. More likely to bark at intruders. Barks excessively. Cataracts. Obstructed breathing.† Pituitary cysts. Deformed spine, knees. Tumors. Excess or missing teeth. Hernias.