About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 38-46 cm

Height range  : 25-30cm

Weight range : 2.7-6.4kg

Coat : Short , fine , smooth , glossy , satin-like close-lying coat.

Life expectancy years : 16-18

Colors: sable|champagne|blue|platinum|lilac|fawn|red|cream|chocolate|cinnamon|tortoiseshell.

Activitity Level : Variable

Origin: Myanmar

Similar Breeds : Tonkinese|Bombay

 

History

Modern Burmese trace largely to Wong Mau , brought from Burma to the United States in 1930 and bred by Dr. Joseph C. Thompson to define the breed. CFA began registering early Burmese in 1936 and championship status came later. The breed also developed in Great Britain with differing standards , and dilute colors that appeared over time were eventually accepted as sable , champagne , blue , and platinum.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

Affectionate

Personality

affectionate|playful|sociable|energetic|confident|people-oriented|curious|clever|friendly|sweet-tempered|loyal|intelligent|soft-spoken|dependent|mischievous|tolerant

Needs

Needs high attention , daily play , climbing and perching opportunities , companionship , weight control , and routine coat , nail , ear , and dental care.

Social Needs

Very high social needs. Burmese usually bond closely with people , do well with children , often tolerate other pets , and may become lonely if left alone for long periods. Keeping another pet for company may help.

Grooming 

The Burmese is low maintenance. Weekly brushing with a rubber brush is usually enough to remove dead hair and keep the coat glossy. Nails , ears , and teeth should also be maintained regularly.

Nutrition

A high-quality diet and exercise are important because the breed can become overweight. Fresh clean water should always be available. For diabetes-prone cats , lower-carbohydrate feeding and lean body condition may be beneficial according to the provided health text.

 

Breed Standard

The breed standard describes a medium-sized cat with substantial bone structure , strong muscular development , surprising weight for size , rounded head , large expressive eyes , broad short muzzle , medium ears , level back , rounded chest , straight medium tail , and a short fine glossy close-lying coat. Excellent muscle tone without obesity is expected.

Did you know?

Originally most Burmese were dark brown sable. The breed traces to Wong Mau and later developed distinct recognized colors. Burmese often remain playful into adulthood and are famous for their close attachment to people.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Diabetes mellitus , Hypokalemic polymyopathy , Feline orofacial pain syndrome , Brachycephalic-related dental and breathing issues , Burmese head defect

 

Symtoms

1. Increased thirst / increased urination / increased appetite with weight loss may occur 2. Lethargy / poor coat / weakness or plantigrade stance may appear 

1. Episodic muscle weakness / stiff or crouched walk and head droop may occur 2. Tremors / reluctance to move and general weakness may appear

1. Frantic licking / chewing or pawing at the mouth may occur 2. Clawing at the face / distress with eating and inability to eat during episodes may appear

1. Tooth crowding / tartar buildup / gingivitis / periodontal disease / snoring or snuffling may occur 2. Excessive tearing and skin irritation below the eyes may appear

1. Severe craniofacial deformity is present at birth 2. Incomplete skull formation and exposed brain tissue may occur

Onset of symptoms

 

Diabetes mellitus

1. Most often diagnosed in middle-aged to senior cats over 6 years
2. Risk rises with overweight status

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high
2. Burmese have a significant predisposition and obesity may raise risk further

Hypokalemic polymyopathy

1. Usually appears in young cats from about 2 to 10 months

Probability Of Onset:

1. Low from tested reputable lines
2. Moderate from untested sources

Feline orofacial pain syndrome

1. May occur at any age
2. Often first appears around permanent tooth eruption at about 6 to 8 months or in young adulthood

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate
2. It indicates a meaningful breed-related predisposition

Brachycephalic-related dental and breathing issues

1. Breathing noise may be present from kittenhood
2. Dental disease may become clinically important from about 1 to 3 years without preventive care

Probability Of Onset:

1. High
2. Dental severity may be almost guaranteed without proactive care

Burmese head defect

1. Present at birth

Probability Of Onset:

1. Extremely low from responsible breeders
2. Risk mainly remains in untested sources

Reasons

Diabetes mellitus       

1. Metabolic carbohydrate intolerance rather than a deficiency

 

Feline orofacial pain syndrome:

1. Neurological disorder rather than a deficiency

 

Hypokalemic polymyopathy       

1. Potassium may be lacking because the body cannot retain it properly

 

Feline orofacial pain syndrome:

1. Neurological disorder rather than a deficiency

 

Hypokalemic polymyopathy

1. Potassium may be lacking because the body cannot retain it properly

Brachycephalic-related dental and breathing issues

1. Structural issue rather than a deficiency
2. Lack of mechanical abrasion may worsen dental disease

Burmese head defect

1. Genetic mutation rather than a deficiency

Normally Treament Methods

Diabetes mellitus:

  1. Low-carbohydrate , high-protein diet and weight management may help reduce insulin resistance
  2. Insulin therapy is often preferred and many cats may need regular injections
  3. Blood glucose , weight , appetite , water intake and urine output may need close monitoring
  4. Some newly diagnosed otherwise healthy cats may be candidates for SGLT2 inhibitor treatment
  5. Remission may occur with early treatment

 

Hypokalemic polymyopathy deficiency :

  1. DNA testing may help prevent affected matings
  2. Severe episodes may need hospitalization and potassium support
  3. Lifelong oral potassium supplementation may be needed

 

Feline orofacial pain syndrome

  1. Pain control and trigger reduction may be used
  2. Gabapentin or anti-seizure medication may be considered if named by the guidance
  3. Stress reduction and dental assessment may help

 

Brachycephalic-related dental and breathing issues:

  1. Daily tooth brushing and regular professional dental cleaning may help
  2. Extractions may be needed for crowding
  3. Severe stenotic nares correction may be considered
  4. Gentle eye cleaning may help irritation

 

Burmese head defect:

  1. Genetic testing and responsible breeding are the only preventive approach. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Diabetes mellitus :

  • Chromium picolinate can,might be helpful for insulin sensitivity support under veterinary guidance.
  • B-vitamins especially methylcobalamin B12 can,might be helpful for nerve support in diabetic neuropathy
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Hypokalemic polymyopathy

  • Potassium gluconate can,might be helpful for replacing potassium that is being lost
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Feline orofacial pain syndrome

  • L-tryptophan can,might be helpful for reducing stress-related triggers.
  • Alpha-casozepine can,might be helpful for calming support.
  • Omega-3 fatty acids EPA,DHA can,might be helpful for nerve inflammation support
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Brachycephalic-related dental and breathing issues

  • N/A
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Burmese head defect

  • None can,might be helpful because the condition is fatal at birth
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