About

Breed information

 

Length range  : 41-48 cm

Height range  : 25-30cm

Weight range : 4.5-5.4kg

Coat : Short to medium length , dense , plush , soft , thick undercoat , stands away from the body.

Life expectancy years : 8-15

Colors: white|red|cream|black|blue|chocolate|lilac|silver|golden|tortoiseshell|bluecream|brown|calico|cinnamon|fawn|bi-color|tri-color|solid|tabby|color point.

Activitity Level : Low

Origin: United States

Similar Breeds : Persian|British Shorthair|Scottish Fold

 

History

The breed developed in the United States from the 1950s into the 1960s when Persian cats were crossed with American Shorthairs and occasionally Burmese to create a short-coated cat with Persian type. Early hybrids were controversial , but CFA established the breed in 1966. The breed was later bred back largely to Persians and TICA championship recognition is noted from June 1979.

 

 

characteristics

Temperament

Gentle

Personality

sweet|affectionate|quiet|gentle|placid|easy-going|loyal|playful|calm|sociable|inquisitive

Needs

Needs daily coat and face care , calm handling , indoor living , encouragement to exercise , and weight control.

Social Needs

Sociable and dependent with family , generally friendly and adaptable , can live with children and other pets , but often prefers quiet homes and may be selective or mildly reserved with strangers.

Grooming 

Daily grooming is important. The coat should be brushed or combed every day or very regularly to remove undercoat and manage shedding. The flat face , eyes and sometimes the area under the tail need regular cleaning.

Nutrition

Nutrition should be controlled carefully because this is a less athletic breed that can gain weight. Cats need complete carnivorous nutrition and portion control to maintain ideal body condition. Wet or dry preferences may vary by individual.

 

Breed Standard

The ideal Exotic is a heavily boned , well-balanced cobby cat with a sweet expression , large round eyes , round massive head , short snub nose , short strong legs and a dense plush coat. Balance and refinement are emphasized and the breed shares Persian structure except for coat description.

Did you know?

The breed is often described as a Persian with a shorter plush coat and teddy-bear look. Although easier to coat-manage than a Persian , it still needs more grooming and face care than many other shorthairs.

HEALTHCARE

Most Common / iconic illnesses 

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, Polycystic kidney disease, Ocular issues, Dental disease, Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

 

Symtoms

1. Loud snoring , snorting , snuffly breathing , exercise intolerance , open-mouth breathing , panting , gagging or regurgitating may occur and severe cases may collapse

1. Early disease may show no signs
2. Later signs may include increased thirst and urination , vomiting , weight loss , poor appetite , lethargy and unkempt coat

1. Excessive tearing , tear staining , squinting , redness , cloudiness , pain and chronic irritation may occur

1. Crooked teeth , tartar buildup , bad breath , red swollen or bleeding gums , drooling , dropping food , mouth pawing and difficulty chewing may occur

1. Many cats may show no early signs or only a murmur
2. Later signs may include lethargy , rapid or labored breathing , open-mouthed breathing and sudden hind-limb pain or paralysis from blood clots

Onset of symptoms

 

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

1. Anatomy is present from birth
2. Mild signs may appear in kittens
3. Clinical problems often become more apparent from 6 months to 2 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high because brachycephalic anatomy is inherent to the breed though severity varies

Polycystic kidney disease

1. Cysts are present from birth
2. Clinical signs of kidney failure typically appear from 3-10 years with an average around 7 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Low in well-bred tested lines
2. High in untested lines

Ocular issues

1. Tear staining is often present from a few months of age
2. Ulcers and irritation may occur at any time

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high for tear staining
2. Elevated lifelong risk for ulcers and related eye problems

Dental disease

1. Malocclusion may be present when adult teeth erupt around 6 months
2. Faster tartar buildup and gingivitis may appear by 1-2 years

Probability Of Onset:

1. Very high because jaw crowding is a breed trait and progression may be likely without care

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

1. May be detected by screening in young adults around 1-3 years
2. Clinical signs may not appear until 3-8+ years or later

Probability Of Onset:

1. Moderate and the content suggests increased risk through Persian heritage

Reasons

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome       

1. No chemical lack is indicated because this is structural

 

Ocular issues:

1. Structural conformation is the main issue
2. Tear film and corneal health may depend on nutrients such as vitamin A

 

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome       

1. No chemical lack is indicated because this is structural

 

Ocular issues:

1. Structural conformation is the main issue
2. Tear film and corneal health may depend on nutrients such as vitamin A

 

Polycystic kidney disease

1. It is genetic
2. Later kidney failure may be associated with difficulty retaining potassium and B-vitamins and with phosphorus imbalance

Dental disease

1. Not a chemical deficiency
2. Lack of space , alignment and mechanical cleaning may be the issue

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

1. Primarily genetic
2. The text indicates heart energy use may rely on nutrients such as taurine , L-carnitine and CoQ10

Normally Treament Methods

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome:

  1. 1. Keeping the cat lean , cool , calm and using a harness may help
    2. Surgical widening of nostrils and shortening of the soft palate may improve breathing in moderate to severe cases

 

Polycystic kidney disease:

  1. 1. DNA testing of breeding lines may reduce risk
    2. Once kidney failure begins supportive care may include renal diet , hydration support and medicines for nausea or blood pressure

 

Ocular issues

  1. 1. Daily face wiping and veterinary eye treatment may help
    2. Surgery may be needed for entropion or non-healing ulcers

 

Dental disease:

  1. 1. Daily brushing , professional cleaning under anesthesia , and extraction of crowded or diseased teeth may help
    2. Cornell indicates gingivitis and periodontitis may also need scaling , polishing , monitoring and sometimes tooth removal

 

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy:

  1. 1. Echocardiography may help identify disease
    2. There is no known cure but medications may be used to control heart rate , lung congestion and clot risk
    3. Monitoring may improve quality of life. Ask professional vets for detailed information.

 

Supplements

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome :

  • 1. No supplement can,might correct the anatomical problem
recommend product

Polycystic kidney disease

  • 1. Potassium can,might be helpful when blood levels are low under veterinary guidance.
    2. B-vitamin complex can,might be helpful during increased urinary losses.
    3. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for kidney support
recommend product

Ocular issues

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids can,might be helpful for tear film support.
    2. Lysine can,might be helpful for managing some secondary eye infection concerns though effectiveness is debated
recommend product

Dental disease

  • 1. Ascophyllum nodosum can,might be helpful for plaque control support.
    2. Water additives can,might be helpful as a minor support measure
recommend product

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  • 1. Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA can,might be helpful for rhythm and heart support.
    2. Coenzyme Q10 can,might be helpful for heart cell energy support.
    3. Taurine can,might be helpful as part of complete feline nutrition
recommend product