source: Simakov Veterinary Teleradiology
Genetic Welfare Problems of Companion Animals: Scottish Fold Osteochondrodysplasia
Osteochondrodysplasia is a developmental abnormality that affects cartilage throughout the body. It is this that causes the abnormal ear shape in Scottish fold cats. Its effects in other parts of the body, especially the limb bones, are much more serious, causing severe distortion of limb bone shapes and severe arthritis. The disease can be apparent in animals as young as 7 weeks and persists throughout life. It causes crippling, lameness and serious chronic pain. There is no cure. Cessation of breeding from any cats with folded ears would eliminate this condition very promptly.
Scottish Folds are a breed of cat generally known for their folded ears and ‘round’ appearance. The first Scottish Fold cat was born in Scotland in 1961 with a genetic mutation which caused her to have folded ears.
Due to this mutation, Scottish Folds have serious health problems that cause pain and poor welfare. We’d advise against getting a Scottish Fold if you are thinking of getting a cat. Read on to find out more.
Scottish Fold Disease - Osteochondrodysplasia
The Scottish Fold breed of cat has a genetic mutation that affects the development of cartilage. The most obvious outward manifestation of this is making the ear cartilage fold so the ears bend forward, giving the cat its characteristic appearance.
Unfortunately, the genetic defect that causes abnormality of the ear cartilage also causes severe abnormalities of the cartilage of bones – there will be defective bone development and severe bone and cartilage abnormalities in all cats with folded ears. This is known as osteochondrodysplasia – a general term for a disorder of the development of bone and cartilage. These bone and cartilage abnormalities lead to severe and painful arthritis.
Bone abnormalities in Scottish Fold cats: ‘A’ shows a severely affected cat and ‘B’ a mildly affected cat (photo courtesy of Richard Malik)
Scottish Fold Osteochondrodysplasia
Scottish Fold cats have forward folded ears due to a cartilage abnormality. This breed-defining characteristic itself is benign but the intimately associated ostechondrodysplasia of the limbs can have devastating effects on cartilage and bone development elsewhere.
[Note: This blog does not condone the continued production of a select few breeds (such as the Scottish Fold and its derivatives) due to health issues inherent with the breed-defining trait but this blog does support reputable breeders of other, healthy breeds and those who purchase from them.]
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