Mary Allen
The beautiful Burmese cat is considered a lucky charm in its original homeland, present-day Myanmar, and is one of the 16 breeds of temple cats kept by the local monks. As far as possible typical diseases are concerned, the Burmese seem to be lucky – only one hereditary disease occurs frequently in this cat breed.
Burmese Cats are Considered Robust
That’s not to say the Burmese cat is invincible and never gets sick. In principle, she can get cat flu and the like just like any other cat. It is also not spared from signs of aging that are typical for cats. As it gets older, her senses can begin to deteriorate, so that she can no longer see or hear as well.
Apart from that, however, she is very robust for a pedigree cat and has a relatively long life expectancy of around 17 years on average. A healthy diet with high-quality cat food, good care, and a varied environment can even increase life expectancy. The Burmese cat needs company and gets along well with other cats and dogs. Secured freedom or a nice enclosure also gives her a lot of pleasure. In addition, she is said to be very people-related, so she also enjoys extensive hours of play and cuddling with her favorite people.
Diseases of the Burmese Cat: Congenital Vestibular Syndrome
The only hereditary disease that can occur more frequently in Burmese cats is the so-called congenital vestibular syndrome. It is one of the diseases of the inner ear that is associated with a malformation of the vestibular system. Symptoms can be seen even in small Burmese kittens because the disease is congenital. Affected animals hold their heads askew and their paws appear somewhat unsteady. You have trouble keeping your balance while standing or walking. It can also cause deafness in one or both ears.
There is currently no therapy or complete cure. However, symptoms often improve on their own as the kitten begins to use their other senses to compensate for their lack of feline hearing. Burmese with Congenital Vestibular Syndrome are not allowed to be bred, but otherwise, they can live a good life with a little support and love.