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Siamese Cat Breed: History, Temperament And Common Health Issues
The Siamese At A Glance:
Place Of Origin: Thailand (Formerly Siam)
Dates Of Origin: Pre-1700's
Average Weight Range: 6-12 lbs.
Temperament Of The Siamese: Energetically Enterprising, Vocal.
Breed Colors Of The Siamese: Seal, Chocolate, Blue, or Lilac in Siamese Point.
One of the top 10 most popular cat breeds.
Place Of Origin: Thailand (Formerly Siam)
Dates Of Origin: Pre-1700's
Average Weight Range: 6-12 lbs.
Temperament Of The Siamese: Energetically Enterprising, Vocal.
Breed Colors Of The Siamese: Seal, Chocolate, Blue, or Lilac in Siamese Point.
One of the top 10 most popular cat breeds.
History Of The Siamese:
Siamese originated in a mutation in Asia more than 500 years ago. Revered by Buddhist monks and royalty in Siam (Now Thailand), they made their way to the West in the late 19th century. The breed remains consistently popular. New colors and tabby stripes have augmented the original four Siamese colors since the 1960's.
Common Siamese Health Issues:
Agenesis (Lack of Development) Of Upper Eyelid
Central Nervous System Diseases
Psychogenic Alopecia: Abnormal hair loss that can be caused excessive self grooming. Similar to obsessive cumpulsive disorder in humans, Psychogenic Alopecia is caused by stress in your cat. This stress can be caused by other cats in the same house, people whom the cat dislikes, and/or separation anxiety. If your cat had an early history of abuse, he may also be prone to psychogenic alopecia. Treatment can include antidepressants, or simply separating the cat from its stressful environment. Or, you can attempt to enrich the cat's environment with toys, climbing equipment, providing a room with a view, even installing a fish tank. Be sure to determine first though, if your cat's alopecia is psychological and not caused by parasites, ringworm, pregnancy, or a hormonal imbalance.
Siamese originated in a mutation in Asia more than 500 years ago. Revered by Buddhist monks and royalty in Siam (Now Thailand), they made their way to the West in the late 19th century. The breed remains consistently popular. New colors and tabby stripes have augmented the original four Siamese colors since the 1960's.
Common Siamese Health Issues:
Agenesis (Lack of Development) Of Upper Eyelid
Central Nervous System Diseases
Psychogenic Alopecia: Abnormal hair loss that can be caused excessive self grooming. Similar to obsessive cumpulsive disorder in humans, Psychogenic Alopecia is caused by stress in your cat. This stress can be caused by other cats in the same house, people whom the cat dislikes, and/or separation anxiety. If your cat had an early history of abuse, he may also be prone to psychogenic alopecia. Treatment can include antidepressants, or simply separating the cat from its stressful environment. Or, you can attempt to enrich the cat's environment with toys, climbing equipment, providing a room with a view, even installing a fish tank. Be sure to determine first though, if your cat's alopecia is psychological and not caused by parasites, ringworm, pregnancy, or a hormonal imbalance.
One of the top 10 least friendliest cats.
In recent decades, selective breeding has altered Siamese
cats considerably. Indeed, some requirements of the early
standards (such as crossed eyes) are now regarded as faults. Siamese have
a svelte body, long, slim legs, and a long head. They also have a
gregarious, chatty nature: this is the most vocal breed, even strident
in its talking. It is also one of the most sexually precocious,
often mating by five months of age.
Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome: Extremely sensitive skin, it is similar to Psychogenic Alopecia in that it can be caused by stress. Treatment is also similar to Psychogenic Alopecia.
Feline Maratoeaux-Lamy Syndrome: Bone enlargement of ribs and ends of long bones.
Heart Disease
Vestibular Disease: The vestibular system is a network of nerves in the ear, brain, and spinal cord that govern balance and orientation. Older cats may suffer from Vestibular Disease; symptoms include loss of balance, dizzyness, head tilting, eye drift, and falling. There is no known cause, and the condition is hereditary. Treatment: Some cases will disappear within 1 to 6 weeks with little or no treatment, although motion sickness medication may be prescribed. Determining treatment for more serious cases requires extensive testing; see your vet.
Respiratory Infections
Feline Maratoeaux-Lamy Syndrome: Bone enlargement of ribs and ends of long bones.
Heart Disease
Vestibular Disease: The vestibular system is a network of nerves in the ear, brain, and spinal cord that govern balance and orientation. Older cats may suffer from Vestibular Disease; symptoms include loss of balance, dizzyness, head tilting, eye drift, and falling. There is no known cause, and the condition is hereditary. Treatment: Some cases will disappear within 1 to 6 weeks with little or no treatment, although motion sickness medication may be prescribed. Determining treatment for more serious cases requires extensive testing; see your vet.
Respiratory Infections