HCM is the most common HEART DISEASE in ALL CATS, not just SPHYNX. Scientists are still studying to determine the actual cause!! HCM is HEREDITARY and can be detected by performing an ULTRASOUND or ECHO CARDIOGRAM of the heart!! Here is a link for more information( http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/health/hcm.html )
!!ALL MY SPHYNX ARE HCM NEGATIVE!!
SPHYNX
Inherited problems in cats - confirmed and suspected~~~ HCM IS NOT JUST IN SPHYNX IT WAS BRED INTO THE SPHYNX FROM OTHER BREEDS!!! SO YES THIS IS WHAT CROSS BREEDING GETS YOU FROM TIME TO TIME!! WE DO NOT CROSS BREED!!! WE ONLY BREED TRUE SPHYNX WITH TRUE SPHYNX NOT F1'S, F2'S, F3'S etc. Which our pedigrees show that our Sphynx have been Sphynx for years and the 4th generation can also be traced back 4 more generations!!
Dermatological conditions~
Alopecia (hairlessness)
This results from having only sparse hairs which are often poorly formed. The hair bulbs are often poorly formed and the hairs are easily dislodged. The skin may be abnormal and thickened. Affected kittens are typically born with a small amount of hair at birth, which is lost by 2 weeks of age, and may re-grow variably later. In some cases it is inherited as an autosomal recessive trait and is part of the breed description of the Sphynx breed.
Saperstein G, Harris S and Leipold HW (1976) Congenital defects in domestic cats. Feline Practice July: 18-43
Malassezia dermatitis (and furunculosis) - see Devon Rex
In some cases can severely affect the nail beds (paronychia)
Urticaria pigmentosa (r)
This condition has been described in Sphynx cats and Devon Rex cats. Clinical signs include erythematous and crusted papules on the trunk and ventral thorax. Histological examination showed mastocytic and eosinophilic infiltrate in the dermis. Treatment includes prednsiolone and essential fatty acids.
Vitale, C.B et al (1996) Feline urticaria pigmentosa in three related sphinx cats, Veterinary Dermatology 7:227-233
Cardiovascular conditions
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
A familial incidence of HCM has been hypothesised in the Sphynx cat. However, although this disease is anecdotally reported in this breed, to the authors’ knowledge there are no published reports within the scientific literature. In people and in Maine Coon cats HCM can be caused by inherited gene defect(s): as yet no defects have not been identified in the Sphinx.
See Screening scheme info on www.fabcats.org/hcm
Infectious conditions
Cutaneous malassezia and furunculosis – see dermatological conditions click here...
