More than 90 percent of cats seen in clinics are the result of random breeding. Jerold S. Bell, DVM, reviews common feline diseases and notes that many of them are the result of genetic predispositions and will most likely appear in other cats unless we take long-term measures.
Pressure needs to be put on the cat breeding community so that it recognizes that the consumer is looking for responsible, health-conscious breeders,” says Dr. Bell. “It’s the only way healthy cats can be selected for breeding, and it is the responsibility of the breeders to choose to breed only healthy cats.”
Source: Tufts Catnip, July 2017. Link.The most important feline diseases that are known or suspected to be heritable include:
- Feline urinary tract disease (FLUTD)
- Diabetes mellitus (TYPE II)
- Lymphocytic or plasmacytic inflammatory disease
- Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)