Bengal Cat Health Problems
Domesticated Bengal cats are a relatively new breed with the unique markings of their wild ancestors and the personalities of house cats. As breeders have continued to perfect this breed, they have become friendly and popular pets among cat enthusiasts. However, inbreeding has made Bengal cats more prone to certain genetic diseases.
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Progressive Retinal Atrophy
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One major health problem Bengal cats face is progressive retinal atrophy, or PRA. This disease causes the receptors in the eye to deteriorate, eventually causing the cat to go blind. This disease is becoming less common, due to the fact that it is carried by a recessive gene that both parents must possess in order to pass it on to their offspring. However, there is no known way to screen for this gene, so breeders cannot guarantee that their kittens will be symptom-free.
Cataracts
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Bengal cats are also more likely to develop cataracts. This eye problem, also common in humans, causes the lens of the eye to become opaque, resulting in progressive vision loss until the animal eventually becomes blind. However, corrective surgery can restore the cat's vision.
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Cardiomyopathy
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Another growing concern for Bengal cats is the presence of two common heart conditions, known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscles) and dilated cardiomyopathy (thinning of the heart muscles). Both these conditions prevent the heart from transporting blood as it should. Since both these diseases present with few outward signs, cats often become critically ill within just a few hours of appearing completely healthy. Research about these diseases is currently incomplete.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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In feline inflammatory bowel disease, another common condition among Bengal cats, an infection lives inside the digestive tract, preventing food from being digested properly. These digestive problems cause the cat to experience frequent diarrhea and vomiting, and may lead to dehydration. While feline IBD can usually be controlled through diet and medication, dehydration may prove to be fatal if left untreated.
Feline Leukemia
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While feline leukemia is a hazard to all cats, Bengal cats are especially prone to it. Early signs include weakness, fatigue and weight loss. As the condition worsens, cats develop fevers, tumors and seizures. Once the disease has entered the later stage, it is nearly always fatal.
Food Poisoning
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Bengal cats have especially sensitive stomachs and are more likely to become sick from contaminated food. Because of this, these cats should never eat table scraps. It is also helpful to invest in a high-quality cat food instead of a discount brand.
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References
- Photo Credit Bengal cat image by bluenose from Fotolia.com
