Siamese Cat Mortality Rate

by Marie
(UK)

In the past 4 years I have lost 2 Siamese cats who have passed away before the age of 3.5 years. This has been devastating for us as we understood that Siamese Cats live to a ripe old age. Each cat was purchased from a reputable registered breeder, each breeder was from completely different ends of the Country. Both cats died from liver disease. I cannot believe that I was this unlucky. Despite asking questions and trying to obtain as much information as I can about the mortality rate of siamese I have been met with either total denial or silence. I would appreciate any answer you may have.

My Answer:

First let me say how sorry I am that you lost two of your special Siamese cats so young. To make this even worse you seem to have been ignored and possibly deceived in your understandable efforts to find answers.

I am only a cat lover and have no veterinary qualifications but I do have the advantage of having no money at stake in the advice I have researched.

Until recently pedigree cat health problems were not widely publicised and information was really only available to the vet profession, the veterinary schools or circulated by word of mouth within cat breed clubs on an informal basis.

For many reasons this is changing within the UK. Some say that the BBC program highlighting problems within the pedigree dog world caused the change. However this would never have happened if a critical mass of people had not had their own deeply held concerns.

The Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) has a section on its site that highlights health issues for many cat breeds. It is being added to all the time but the only problem that is recorded for Siamese liver issues is under the section 'Amyloidosis'. Amyloidosis can be found in non-Siamese cats and even in humans, but the Siamese seem particularly prone to it. The FAB website has excellent information on Siamese health issues.

"Amyloidosis is a diverse group of diseases that can be seen in many different species of animals and also in humans. Amyloid is a type of protein, and amyloidosis describes the disease that occurs when this particular protein is deposited within body organs. Different species or breeds may be affected differently, and in Siamese/Oriental cats deposition in the liver occurs primarily, resulting in liver dysfunction and haemorrhage from the liver. Young cats (approx, 8 months – 7 years), are most commonly affected. Spontaneous rupture of the liver has been described with sudden death or acute signs associated with intra-abdominal haemorrhage. Affected cats are often related but the mode of inheritance and contribution of environmental factors is unknown."
-- Feline Advisory Bureau

I have no way of knowing, but could this have been behind the early deaths of your Siamese?

Incidentally the FAB have experts who might be able to shed more light on any cat problems. For a minimum donation of 10 English Pounds they might be able to put you in touch with an expert who has more recent health information.

There is however something else to consider that is implicated in life threatening liver problems: DIET, as well as chemicals found within the home (the chemicals implicated range from household cleaners to air fresheners).

Please, if you think this might be behind your cats' illness, do not blame yourself! It is not common knowledge and there are some very well funded companies that would prefer it if the cat diet issue simply disappeared. Cats fed dry food or wet food with a high carbohydrate content are succumbing to many health problems - from diabetes to early liver failure to allergies, behaviour and overweight issues. If you would like to read more the www.catnutrition.org website is a great place to start. If you want a book then I recommend Your Cat: Simple Secrets to a Longer, Stronger Life by Elizabeth M. Hodgkins.

It is my opinion that some Siamese cats might have a liver weakness that makes them especially unable to cope with a dry diet that has a high percentage of carbohydrate. This could cause these susceptible Siamese to die at a younger age than other cats. In my opinion cats should be eating MEAT and most of the other parts of the animal, all of it uncooked. Wheat, rice vegetables and fruits, whether organic or not, have no place in a natural cat diet.

As a footnote more and more genetic tests are becoming available to cat breeders, finally allowing more responsible breeding practices. I feel sorry for the dedicated knowledgeable breeder who unwittingly breeds cats that some years later develop health problems. Unfortunately there is no test at present for Amyloidosis.

Additionally, many cat breeders within the Siamese clubs hold strong views (both for and against) about the health of the new most extreme modern Siamese. You might like to read more here.