Many people dream of getting a cat. But your new four-legged friend can be expensive if it goes bad.
A normal examination of a dog or cat at the vet costs between SEK 500 – 1,000.
According to The Swedish Agency for Agriculture are you obliged to take your animal to the vet if it becomes unwell. If you are unlucky, the veterinary costs can therefore quickly add up to large sums, and it is then important to know how you can pay off large veterinary costs, regardless of what type of care it is.
News24 have talked to Anna Jönsson Bergstedt, licensed animal nurse and certified cat nurse with specialization in cat behavior at Agria. She believes that some breeds are more prone to getting sick than others.
– Some breeds have genetic diseases that can lead to high veterinary costs and a lot of care, she says.
Here are some breeds that she believes are more risky than others.
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Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/TT
Calm temperament can be masked suffering
Of course it can be cozy to cuddle up with a cuddly kitty. And many would like to have a cat with a slightly calmer temperament.
But Anna Jönsson Bergstedt believes that a calm temperament can be a warning bell for certain breeds.
– There are some cat breeds that I would like to discuss and advise against. It has more to do with the cat breed’s health problems, she says.
She believes that certain health problems can cause them to be portrayed as calm and cozy cats, perfect for those who want a less active cat.
But in fact, it may be that the cat is suffering, which means that it does not want to move as much.
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Breeds with genetic problems
Some breeds also have a higher risk of genetic diseases. This can lead to high veterinary costs and a lot of nursing care.
An example of a breed with genetic health problems is the Scottish fold, which is not a permitted breed in Sweden. They carry a defect that gives them the folded ears that characterize the breed. But defects affect all cartilage in the body, including the joints.
– This means that it hurts to move. This results in them being “calmer” because they want to avoid pain, she says.
Anna also advises everyone to refrain from getting short-nosed cat breeds, such as Persians and Exotics, as their calmness is also based on congenital health problems.
– Their “calmness” is due to an inability to breathe properly with their restricted airways, she says.
She adds:
– It means suffering and stress to constantly live with shortness of breath and lack of oxygen.
According to the insurance company ManyPets short-nosed cats also run a greater risk of dental problems. This is because their teeth are not evenly spaced as in other cat breeds.
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Photo: Jonas Ekströmer/TTRases that require active care
Some cat breeds require active nursing to avoid getting sick.
Sphynx cats are specifically bred to have no fur. This can feel positive as it does not require any fur care. But the lack of fur instead means that it requires extra skin care in order not to risk getting sick.
Cats produce “fur oil” and for a naked cat this means that the skin becomes sticky and greasy. Regular baths and general skin care are therefore necessary.
– If they don’t get the help they need, they can get skin problems and need care, says Anna Jönsson Bergstedt
But even long-haired cats require extra grooming. If the cat has severe tangles that you cannot cut out yourself, you can make an appointment with a veterinarian. Then the cat is calmed down and it is easier to remove the tangles.
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Breeds with heart problems
There are several different types of heart disease that affect cats. In some cases, the heart may never have developed properly. But even adult cats can also develop heart problems as adults.
The most common type of heart disease that affects adult cats is called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).
The disease is hereditary and is strongly associated with Maine Coon, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Sphynx, Chartreux and Persian breeds.
A cat affected by HCM may be seen as apathetic and lose its appetite. This can lead to rapid weight loss.
Treatment options for many types of heart disease include drugs that normalize heart rate and rhythm and help reduce abnormal fluid accumulation and prevent the formation of blood clots.
Unfortunately, most forms of heart disease in cats worsen over time.
Anna Jönsson Bergstedt believes that it is important to think twice about which breed you choose to avoid high veterinary costs. But also on whether you can afford to help your friend if he gets sick.
– It is of course important to think about whether one’s finances and savings are enough to take care of the cat if it gets sick, she says.
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