Pretty hurts
How extreme breed standards harm Manx, Scottish Fold, and Persian cats
Written by: Naftalia Rose
Edited by: Katherine Hill, Sienna Schaeffer, Isabella Armour, Madeline Nicol
By nature, any creature that is called “purebred” is genetically predisposed to certain health problems. Upon discovering a trait that is considered useful or beautiful but is unique to only certain members of an animal population, there is a human tendency to separate this novel group from the species as a whole. In order to produce more desirable specimens, the individuals are only allowed to reproduce within the group, and over time the gene pool of this group narrows significantly and a “breed” emerges which is physically distinct from members of the species at large. Through this process, novel forms and colorations are isolated and propagated, but so are congenital defects and predispositions to disease. However, while breeding an animal which may have health problems solely for its aesthetic value may be ethically questionable, it is important to note that, in most cases, the health problems and the desired characteristics are two separate traits. A breeder who pairs two Siamese cats together does it with the intent to produce purebred Siamese kittens, not to produce kittens with congenital heart defects; it is simply unfortunate coincidence that the former often implies the latter(1). Fortunately, the threat of this coincidental propagation of detrimental attributes is decreasing due to modern technology and the ability to genetically screen individuals to see if they are carriers for certain conditions(2). However, filtering these threats out of the gene pool is only possible if the breed characteristics and the congenital defects which often accompany them are two separate traits.
As previously stated, in most cases the health problems which plague purebred animals are an unintended casualty of selective breeding, not the aim of it. There are some cases which fall outside of this majority, in which the physical attributes for which an animal is bred are the same attributes that will cause the animal discomfort, pain, and even sometimes death. Three examples of this phenomenon in the feline world can be found in the Manx, the Scottish Fold, and the Persian. The distinctive appearance of each of these cat breeds is caused by a genetic factor which is also likely responsible for deformities, meaning that to purposefully breed these cats is to bring creatures into this world which are statistically likely to have a low quality of life. Although there is ample evidence to this effect, it is ignored by most purebred registry associations and is little known to the public.
The Manx
The Cat Fanciers’ Association, one of the main purebred feline registries in the world, reported that the Manx was their 23rd most registered purebred cat in 2014. The breed hails originally from the Isle of Man, thus the name “Manx”. Cats of this breed are characterized by a round head and body, a compact, well-muscled frame, hind legs that are longer than their forelegs, and, most distinctively, a tail which is either short or entirely absent. Based on their tail length, Manx cats are separated into four categories: rumpies, rumpy-risers, stumpies/stubbies, and longies. Rumpies have no tail vertebrae, only a dimple at the end of the spine. Rumpy-risers, stumpies/stubbies, and longies have a reduced number of vertebrae, which manifest respectively in a small knob, a moveable (often kinked) stump, or a tail which is almost normal in length1. Rumpies are considered the “true Manx”, and, according to the Cat Fanciers’ Association’s most recently published breed standards, taillessness should “[appear] to be absolute in the perfect specimen.”
The taillessness which makes the Manx cat unique is not the only congenital abnormality for which this breed is known, however. Manx cats commonly exhibit defects of the sacral vertebrae (lower part of the spine), including abnormal development, total absence, or tethering, as well as splitting of the spinal cord, formation of fluid-filled cysts within the spinal cord, and malformation or absence of the anus. These abnormalities can cause spinal cord deformation, incontinence of feces and urine, abnormal gait, and partial or full paralysis of the hind legs(4,5). That is, of course, if the cats survive gestation and birth. The “Manx factor”, as it is often called, is caused by a dominant gene, which means that a Manx cat can in theory be homozygous or heterozygous, having one or two of these genes(4). In practice, a Manx cat can only be heterozygous, because the central nervous system in a homozygous embryo is so maldeveloped that it will die before birth(1,6). Statistically, this means that one in four kittens resulting from a Manx-Manx cross will be born dead.
However, not all Manx cats suffer from congenital defects. In a study done on two groups of Manx cats, in the first group (with a sample size of 259 cats) 18% of cats were afflicted with defects, and in the second group (sample size 495 cats) 21% of cats were afflicted. When further broken down into types of Manx (rumpies, rumpy-risers, stumpies, and longies), it was found that the vast majority of affected cats were rumpies(6). A separate study done on 62 Manx cats found that rumpies tended to have no tail vertebrae and the least number of vertebrae overall (compared to other types of Manx); it also found that the fewer vertebrae the cats had, the higher the probability of related malformations and the higher the juvenile mortality rate(7). There is clear evidence that, of the four types of Manx, rumpies are most likely to be born with health problems that will affect their quality of life. Despite this, as mentioned above, rumpies are considered the ideal Manx and are the most sought-after form of their breed.
The Scottish Fold
The Scottish Fold is a fairly new breed, having originated in 1961 in Scotland. This breed is characterized by its eponymous ears, which are small and tightly folded1. It has enjoyed significant popularity since its inception, and in 2014 was reported to be the 10th-most registered breed with the Cat Fanciers’ Association. Across the pond, however, the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy has something entirely different to report. There, the Scottish Fold is not recognized and cannot be registered because, according to their website, “the gene which produces the folded ears also causes skeletal abnormalities”(9).
The formal term for the disease from which Scottish Folds suffer is osteochondrodysplasia. It is characterized skeletal deformities, most often in the paws, legs, and tail. These deformities are caused by defective cartilage formation, which is also what causes the folded-over ears for which Scottish Folds are beloved. The outward symptoms of the disease include lameness, a reluctance to jump, a stiff or stilted gait, and swelling around the affected areas, all of which can be attributed to progressive osteoarthritis caused by the disease(10). Although the severity of symptoms differs from cat to cat, all Scottish Folds suffer from some degree of osteochondrodysplasia, and many are in pain for their entire lives(11). The only treatments available for the disease are temporary, and most experts advise that the breeding of Scottish Folds cease altogether because of the inevitably low quality of life the cats will experience(10,12,13).
The Persian
The Persian, with its long flowing fur and distinctive face, is often portrayed as regal and luxurious in pop culture. The breed is quite popular — the number of Persians registered with the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 2014 was second only to the number of Exotics, a breed which is identical to the Persian in every aspect except for fur length(1,15).
The flat face which makes the Persian (and the Exotic) unique is caused by its brachycephalic (short-skulled) head structure. It has this in common with another popular pet — the pug. The plight of the pug has received a fair amount of attention recently, and it is well-documented that the brachycephalic structure of the pug’s skull causes ocular, respiratory, dermatological, and skeletal problems(16,17). Although the effects of brachycephaly have not been studied as extensively in cats as in dogs, there is evidence that Persians suffer from some of these same issues. In a study published last year, researchers used data from a survey of 1,000 cat owners to assess the respiratory effects of brachycephaly on cats. From analysis of questionnaires completed and pictures submitted by owners, it was found that the length of the nose, and even more so the position of the nose, was correlated with the cat’s respiratory health. Cats with noses that were shorter and positioned higher on their faces tended to be less active, have more tear staining, and have more trouble breathing after activity and more audible breathing while at rest — a sign of respiratory difficulty(19).
Inactivity and loud breathing are both signs of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (sometimes called Brachycephalic Airway Syndrome or simply Brachycephalic Syndrome). Animals suffering from the syndrome have some combination of the following defects: unusually small and narrow nostrils , abnormal protrusions of bone into the throat, unnaturally narrow windpipes, and elongated soft palates. The degree of respiratory difficulty or distress experienced by the affected animal varies, with symptoms ranging from wheezing and snoring to a near-inability to breathe caused by airway closure and laryngeal collapse, which requires immediate attention. Brachycephalic Syndrome is a progressive disease which worsens with age(20).
The tear staining which was reported in the first study and is common in Persians is caused by epiphora — excess tear production. A study published in 2009 used CT scans and other methods of anatomical study to determine the effect of brachycephaly on the nasolacrimal drainage system, which drains excess tears from the tear duct. The researchers found that the more severely brachycephalic a cat was, the narrower its nasal cavity, and the greater the degree of upwards rotation of the ventral nasal concha (small bone inside the nose) and the canine teeth. This caused the tear duct to be much steeper than normal, and to adopt an unnatural V-shaped course in order to pass under the canine teeth which blocked its normal path. The rerouting of the tear duct makes it harder for excess tears to drain (causing epiphora), and in some cases forces the duct and the canine tooth too close together, leading to obstruction of the tear duct by dental roots or complications in the event of a tooth extraction(21).
Epiphora in Persian cats contributes to another problem to which they are prone: skin fold dermatitis, or infections of the skin folds of their faces. Moisture from the epiphora combines with the dark warm crevasses of their excess skin to form a fertile breeding ground for bacteria(1). In addition to this and other well-documented complications of brachycephaly in cats, it is entirely possible that there are others problems which have not yet been acknowledged due to the lack of research in this area.
However, unlike the other two breeds covered in this paper, whose defining characteristics are so entwined with physical deformations that the only way to avoid breeding afflicted specimens is to avoid breeding altogether, there is hope for the Persian. It is only in the last century or so that Persians have been bred to have an extreme Brachycephalic appearance. Originally, Persians had a nose that was slightly shorter than other breeds, but which was longer and placed lower on the face than current Persians. Some breeders continued to breed these traditional cats despite the trend towards extreme brachycephaly, and, although they are a minority, the cats still exist today and are healthier than their flat-faced counterparts. These traditional Persians are typically called Doll Face Persians, Chinchillas, or Original Longhairs, to prevent confusion with the modern Persian(22). Unfortunately, although the World Cat Federation has accepted the Original Longhair, most regional cat fanciers’ groups don’t consider it a breed(23). The Cat Fanciers’ Association breed standard for the Persian still states, in total disregard of the evidence against brachycephaly, that “when [the head is] viewed in profile, the prominence of the eyes is apparent and the forehead, nose, and chin appear to be in vertical alignment”(24).
Although they are often portrayed as cute and healthy to the public, a significant portion of the population of each of these three breeds is in chronic discomfort or pain because they were bred to be that way. The gene that gives the Manx its abbreviated tail also causes spinal defects that can be debilitating. Scottish Folds may appear sweet, but the folded ears that give them their docile appearance are due to a lack of cartilage that also causes painful skeletal deformities. The extreme brachycephaly that gives the Persian its desirable flat face is due to a severely abnormal skull shape, which naturally causes a whole host of problems, not the least of which is respiratory difficulty. Purebred cat registries, particularly the Cat Fanciers’ Association in the United States, do not address these congenital defects in their breed descriptions, but rather promote the perpetuation of them through extreme breed standards(20). The only certain way to eliminate these health problems is to stop breeding both the Manx and the Scottish Fold, and to change the breed standards for the Persian in order to return its skull to a healthier shape. Although decisive action like this is unlikely to happen without the support of the breeding community, spreading awareness in the public realm is a worthy goal. Each person who learns about the plight of these cats can give voice to these creatures that cannot speak for themselves.
Works Cited
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