The Snowshoe cat is a popular breed originating in the United States during the 1960s. These sweet-natured cats look as though they’re wearing a mask with darker markings on their ears, legs, and tail. These cats have beautiful, bright blue eyes with a short coat that’s white, black, tan, or brown.

Overall, Snowshoes are regarded as being quite healthy, which is great news if you’re thinking of getting one of these pretty cats. However, like other felines, Snowshoes are prone to some common health issues, which we’ll cover in detail below. However, just because Snowshoe cats are predisposed to certain health issues, it doesn’t mean your cat will develop these problems. Rather, the information is here to help you and your vet plan for your cat’s unique medical needs together and give your Snowshoe the best care possible.

The 10 Common Snowshoe Cat Health Problems

1. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD)

Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD) is a term used to describe several conditions affecting a cat’s lower urinary tract. FLUTD is most often seen in middle-aged, overweight cats that don’t exercise enough and those that use indoor litter boxes. It’s also seen more commonly among cats that eat only dry cat food.

How FLUTD Is Diagnosed and Treated

If you suspect your Snowshoe has FLUTD, your vet will ask you about your cat’s behavior and conduct a physical exam. A urinalysis will likely be done to rule out a urinary tract infection and urine crystals. Your vet may also run some blood tests to look for signs of diabetes or kidney disease, which can cause symptoms of urinary tract problems.

FLUTD treatment is very individualized and depends on what urinary tract issue your cat is suffering from. You may be told your cat needs to drink more water and take medication if it’s determined they have a urinary tract infection. Your cat may need surgery if they’re suffering from something more serious, like bladder stones. It all depends on the diagnosis.

2. Feline Rhinotracheitis Virus Infection (FVR)

Feline rhinotracheitis virus infection (FVR) is commonly called feline herpesvirus 1. This is a common feline virus that causes an infection in the nose and throat of cats. FVR affects cats of all ages, but it’s more likely to affect kittens, pregnant cats, and those that are sick or have suppressed immune systems.

A cat with FVR develops this infectious virus by coming into direct contact with another cat with FVR or items that have been contaminated with the virus. These items could include things like clothing, food, and water dishes.

A cat with FVR can develop a weakened immune system, opening the door to possible secondary bacterial infections if the cat can’t fight off the disease.

How FVR Is Diagnosed and Treated

If you suspect your Snowshoe cat has FVR take them to the vet, your veterinarian will review your cat’s medical history and conduct a physical examination. Your vet may take some oral swabs to confirm. If confirmed, the treatment is based on how severe the symptoms are.

If your cat has an eye infection with it, you may get some topical eye drops for your cat. If the infection is more widespread, antibiotics, probiotics, or lysine may be prescribed.

3. Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a pancreatic disease caused by the failure of the pancreas to regulate blood sugar. This condition is seen more frequently in older, overweight cats and is more common among males than females. It appears to be inherited in Snowshoes.

How Diabetes Mellitus Is Diagnosed and Treated

If you take your Snowshoe to the vet because you suspect they have this disease, your vet will ask you about any symptoms you’ve observed. They will also conduct a thorough examination of your cat.

Urine and blood tests are likely to be ordered to rule out other diseases and conditions. While reviewing the tests, your vet will look for abnormally high blood glucose levels and the presence of glucose in the urine.

If your Snowshoe has diabetes, lifestyle changes may be part of the treatment, like weight loss and weight control. Your vet may also prescribe insulin for your cat and show you how to test your pet’s glucose levels and give the injections.

An important aspect of Diabetes Mellitus treatment is the ongoing monitoring of your cat’s response to insulin so that adjustments can be made if needed.

4. Feline Obesity

A Snowshoe cat is a solidly built, medium-sized animal that weighs between 7–12 pounds. This cat breed is susceptible to obesity like many other breeds.

A cat with feline obesity has a body weight that’s 20% or more above the normal weight of the breed. A cat with obesity could develop more serious problems, like diabetes and heart disease, so it’s not wise to ignore your cat’s weight.

How Feline Obesity Is Diagnosed and Treated

If you take your Snowshoe cat to the vet to check if they’re obese, your vet will visually examine your cat and use their hands to feel the rib and hip bones. You will likely not be able to feel these bones if your cat is obese. Your vet may also run some tests to see if your cat has diabetes or other weight-related issues, like cardiovascular disease.

Feline obesity is often treated by limiting how many calories a cat eats. If your Snowshoe is obese, your vet may recommend a change of diet and tell you to switch to cat food with a weight control formula. Your vet may also encourage you to play with your cat more often to get them moving more.

5. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a term used to describe a group of degenerative eye diseases affecting the retina. There are two main types of PRA in cats: early-onset or inherited.

This type of eye condition happens when the photoreceptor cells of the retina develop abnormally, leading to early-onset blindness and is an inherited condition.

How Progressive Retinal Atrophy Is Diagnosed and Treated

If you take your Snowshoe to the veterinarian for suspected PRA, they will use a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope to examine the back of your cat’s eyes. They are looking for abnormalities in the optic nerve and retinal blood vessels.

If your cat has PRA, there is no effective treatment for this disease except for the use of antioxidant supplements or vitamins as support. If cataracts or retinal detachment are present, your vet may attempt to treat those to prevent further vision loss.

6. Feline Dental Disease

Many cat breeds, including Snowshoes, develop a feline dental disease that affects the teeth and gums. Dental disease typically affects cats older than 4 years of age, and most forms are preventable and treatable.

Gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption are the most common dental diseases affecting cats. A cat with any one or more of these forms of dental disease can have a lower quality of life, which can lead to further health issues, like infections.

How Feline Dental Disease Is Diagnosed and Treated

Your vet will conduct a thorough oral examination for feline dental disease. They will look for signs of disease, like an accumulation of plaque, red and swollen gums, and bleeding gums.

The treatment for feline dental disease depends on what is discovered during the examination and how severe the symptoms are. Your vet may remove plaque from the teeth while your cat is under anesthesia, extract diseased teeth, or prescribe medication. Your vet may also recommend that you clean your cat’s teeth at home and give them cat dental treats that reduce plaque.

7. Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is a common disease in older cats. It is characterized by the overproduction of thyroid hormones that increase the body’s metabolic rate. When your cat has undiagnosed hyperthyroidism, they can develop high blood pressure or heart disease, making early diagnosis and treatment very important.

It’s not known what causes hyperthyroidism, but it’s suspected that it has something to do with increased exposure to dietary iodine, as many cats with this disease have elevated iodine levels. Dietary iodine is found in seaweed, beef liver, chicken, fish, shellfish, eggs, and dairy products.

How Hyperthyroidism Is Diagnosed and Treated

Your vet will conduct a thorough examination and run some tests for blood work, X-rays, an ultrasound, or urinalysis.

If your cat has Hyperthyroidism, your vet may put your cat on a strict prescription diet. Other treatment possibilities include radioactive iodine treatment, daily medication, and surgery to remove one or both of the thyroid glands.

8. Kidney Failure

When a cat’s kidneys cannot properly perform, they can no longer clean waste from the blood, and a diagnosis of kidney failure is often given. Kidney failure typically affects older cats, although kittens can be born with kidney diseases as well. The common causes of kidney failure include old age, trauma, toxins, and infections.

How Kidney Failure Is Diagnosed and Treatment

There’s no time to waste if you think your cat has kidney failure since it can be fatal. Your vet will run blood and urine tests, take some X-rays, and possibly perform an ultrasound to make a diagnosis.

If your cat has kidney failure, the treatment they get depends on the severity. Your vet may give your cat fluids through an IV, put your cat on a special diet, prescribe medication, or schedule surgery to remove renal blockages.

9. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Snowshoe cats can develop a heart condition known as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). This is a condition characterized by a thickening of the walls of the heart muscle, causing a decline in cardiac function.

This disease comes with complications, including the possibility of clot formations that can block a major artery—like the one that supplies blood to the cat’s hind legs. If this happens, it’s called feline arterial thromboembolism, which is considered a medical emergency.

While there is no cure for HCM, it can be managed and treated with medication and dietary changes.

How HCM Is Diagnosed and Treated

If you take your Snowshoe to the vet because you think they have HCM, your vet will ask you about your cat’s health history and check their heartbeat. They will use echocardiography to look for signs of heart muscle thickening and to check your cat’s heart rate and overall health of the heart muscle.

If an HCM diagnosis is made, your cat will likely be prescribed medication to control their heart rate and to remove any pleural fluid that may be built up around the lungs. Your vet may also prescribe a special diet for your cat that limits salt and increases healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

10. Gastroenteritis

Snowshoes, like other cat breeds, can develop gastroenteritis. This is a term used to describe inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which includes the stomach and intestines.

Many things can cause gastroenteritis, including bacterial infections, viruses, parasites, poisoning, medications, ingestion of foreign bodies like strings or threads, and inflammatory diseases.

How Gastroenteritis Is Diagnosed and Treated

For a vet to treat your cat for gastroenteritis, they need to know what is causing the symptoms. Your vet will ask you about your cat’s medical history, their current diet, and any possible exposure they’ve had to medications, cleaning products, or pesticides. Your vet will then examine your cat and may conduct some diagnostic testing to look for signs of infection, dehydration, and organ system abnormalities.

The treatment for gastroenteritis may include fluid replacement therapy, antibiotics, and anti-vomiting medications, depending on your vet’s diagnosis.

Conclusion

While the Snowshoe cat is considered a healthy breed, it is prone to developing some common cat health problems as with any cat. Now that you know some health issues that can affect your Snowshoe, you can work with your vet to keep your beautiful cat healthy and happy. If you suspect your cat is sick, don’t hesitate to contact your veterinarian right away, as it’s better to be safe than sorry!

Featured Image Credit: Tawach, Shutterstock