What Health Problems do Ragdolls Have – This question mostly comes from cat lovers who are about to get a new cat or from Ragdoll owners who are wondering what could be wrong with their cat, whichever category you belong to, you are welcome.
Today we will talk about what health problems do ragdoll cats have.
What Health Problems do Ragdolls Have
Here is the list of health problems associated with the Ragdoll breed of cat.
- Feline mucopolysaccharidosis
- Mouth and gum disease
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
- kidney disease
- Long Coat Quandry (Hairballs)
- Obesity
Now we have outlined the health problems associated with the ragdoll cat let’s try and break it down.
1. Feline mucopolysaccharidosis
Vision issues in most Ragdoll cats are genetic which means they can be transferred from the female adult ragdoll to their kittens.
People refer to this health condition is known as feline mucopolysaccharidosis.
Feline mucopolysaccharidosis is simply a group of lysosomal storage disorders in cats that involve the deficiency of specific enzymes required for the degradation of glycosaminoglycans.
The feline mucopolysaccharidosis is very pronounced in domesticated ragdoll than a wild ragdoll. However, this health issue is seen in ragdoll kittens within the age of 6 to 8 weeks of age.
The site for the feline mucopolysaccharidosis is within the numerous cells of the body, including liver, skin, muscle, bone marrow and white blood cells.
What are the symptoms of feline mucopolysaccharidosis in Ragdoll cat
- Enlarged liver
- Stunted growth
- Skeletal abnormalities
- Mental retardation
- Cloudy discoloration of the corneas
- Small ears
- Flattened face
Possible solutions to feline mucopolysaccharidosis in Ragdoll cat
- Bone-marrow transplants
- Surgery
- Enzyme replacement
- See your vet
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2. Mouth and gum disease
Like other cat breeds, Ragdolls can suffer from gum and tooth disease throughout their life. Gum disease occurs when some (or all) of the supporting structures in a tooth become inflamed.
It begins when food, bacteria, and minerals build up along the gum collection, resulting in a build-up of brown scales known as tartar.
If this damages the gums, it is called gingivitis.
Eventually, small spaces can form between the gums and teeth where bacteria can grow, leading to what is known as periodontal disease.
The bacteria from infected gums can spread throughout the body and damage the liver and kidneys.
This condition can be prevented with basic routine care such as feeding cats dry food and brushing their teeth, helping them to lead a normal, pain-free life.
Read more; Home Remedies to Keep Cats Away – 6 Remedies
3. Urinary Tract Infections
The urinary tract infections that are highly associated with ragdoll are Cystitis and feline urological syndrome, and this can affect any part of the urinary tract which including the ureters, urethra, bladder, and even the kidneys.
Urinary tract infections are very pronounced in ragdoll than most other cats.
Symptoms of urinary tract infections in Ragdoll
- Straining to urinate
- Foul-smelling urine
- Pain when urinating
- Constant desire to urinate
- Blood in urine
- Consistent licking of the genital
Possible solutions to urinary tract infections in Ragdoll
- Constant Hydration
- Antibiotics
- See your vet
4. Gastrointestinal disorders
The Ragdoll can suffer from problems affecting the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
The GI tract is a long and winding tube that starts at the mouth and ends at the anus, with various twists and turns along the way.
Conditions such as gastroenteritis caused by infections (like feline enteritis), poisoning, or an obstruction within the bowel (due to the cat eating string for example) commonly cause vomiting and/or diarrhea.
Treatment depends on the exact cause, but prompt intervention usually results in a full recovery. See your vet.
5. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats is the most common heart disease in domestic cats but is of particular concern in some breeds, such as the Ragdoll.
It is characterized by a thickening of the myocardial mass in the left ventricle, which causes a decrease in the volume of the ventricles in the heart.
As a result of this thickening, your cat’s heart can’t pump enough blood to other tissues and organs in the body.
Complications from poor blood circulation are most likely to occur, including thromboembolism (formation of blood clots in various parts of the body that interfere with organic function).
Symptoms of Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Ragdoll
- Weight loss
- Depression and lethargy
- Apathy
- Flaccidity in the rear limbs
- Dyspnea (shortness of breath)
- Appetite loss
- Vomiting
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden death
Possible solutions to Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Ragdoll
- Oral medication
- Visit here for more information
- See your vet
6. Kidney disease
Polycystic kidney disease is a hereditary disease most often diagnosed in exotic short hair and Ragdolls, this is a genetic condition where multiple cysts begin to grow on both of the kidneys
This fluid-filled cyst grows in the kidney or in the uterus, during childhood, or even adulthood.
As the cat grows older the cysts get bigger and can lead to severe kidney damage and kidney failure.
Symptoms of Polycystic kidney disease in Ragdoll
- Bad breath
- Loss of shiny fur coat
- Frequent urination
- High water intake
- General malaise
- Depression/lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Weakness
Possible solutions to Polycystic kidney disease in Ragdoll
No treatment see your vet.
7. Long Coat Quandry (Hairballs)
Like most long-haired or semi-long-haired cat breeds, the Ragdoll can experience digestive problems caused by the build-up of fur.
Ragdoll always use their paws to groom themselves leading to ingestion of fur causing it to build up in the digestive system, often resulting in a hairball that has to be removed.
Symptoms of Hairballs in Ragdoll
- Vomiting
- Decreased appetite
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Frequent gagging
- General malaise
Possible solutions to Hairballs in Ragdoll
- Regular grooming
- See your vet
8. Obesity
Being overweight or obese can cause a variety of problems for the ragdoll cat. First, there are cardiovascular complications that are risky for all types of cats.
The risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes and stroke increases if the cat is overweight.
Obesity is something you as the owner triggered off and at the same time, you will be the one to stop it.
This is not something to see your vet, just change your feeding pattern and reduce the level of treats you offer your ragdoll.
Take your ragdoll for a walk and get moving toys to allow room for extra exercise.
