Despite being a very new breed, the Exotic cat is not as prone to diseases and disorders as one might think. That is thanks to the many precautions that the breed’s original breeders took when crossing Persian American Shorthair cats. Still, it’s a living breathing animal, and as such, it has a risk of getting some diseases or genetic abnormalities. Additionally, since it’s a short-nosed cat like its Persian cousins, the Exotic is a brachycephalous breed which means that it’s prone to some problems related to having its nose and eyes in close proximity to each other. Another consequence of that can be problems with the tear ducts and sinuses, and because of the relatively short jaw, tooth misalignment or tooth crowding is possible as well. Here are some of the more common health problems you should be on the lookout for: > Brachycephalic airway syndrome (BAS) – Breathing difficulties that are a result of the breed’s constricted nostrils. Also referred to as brachycephalic respiratory syndrome or congenital obstructive upper airway disease. > Dental malocclusions – The breed’s teeth sometimes don’t mesh well with each other, due to the small jaw of Exotic cats. Calcium Oxalate Urolithiasis – A stone that crystallizes in the bladder and kidney. > Excessive tearing. > Eye conditions such as cherry eye and entropion. > Dystocia – Due to the breed’s large and round skull shape, abnormal labor difficulties are possible. > Seborrhea oleosa – A skin condition that causes itchiness, redness, and hair loss. > Heat sensitivity. > Ringworms – A fungal infection. > Feline polycystic kidney disease (PKD) – PKD is a disease that has a high chance of leading to kidney failure. DNA screening for PKD is recommended for all Exotic cats.