7 Common Nebelung Cat Health Problems & What To Expect

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Reviewed & Fact-Checked By

Dr. Lorna Whittemore

MRCVS (Veterinarian)

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

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Bringing a new kitty into your home is always a fun time, and part of that fun is deciding which breed would be the best fit for you and your family. One beautiful breed of cat you might not have considered yet is the Nebelung cat. This cat is a rarer domestic breed, so you might not be as familiar with it as other breeds. But they look similar to the Russian Blue and are known for being loyal and affectionate.

However, before you seriously consider the Nebelung (or any cat breed), you need to learn more about them to ensure you have a good idea of what you’re getting into by adopting one. You’ll need to learn how to care for them properly and groom them; you’ll also need to look at the kinds of health problems that commonly occur.

The good news is that this newer breed, the Nebelung, hasn’t yet developed a tendency towards any particular genetic disorders. But cats, in general, are more likely to get certain diseases, so glance through this quick overview of the seven most common health problems the Nebelung might face.

Nebelung Cat Health Problems

1. Allergies

Not all cats will have allergies, but there will always be a few that do. Allergies could be caused by pollen or dust mites, medications, topical treatments, flea bites, and even certain foods. If you suspect your Nebelung is allergic to something, you’ll need to talk to your vet about testing them to be certain. They may just start by eliminating certain things (such as the litter they’re using) to find out what’s causing the allergy, and treatment could involve steroids, diets or immunotherapy.

When it comes to allergy symptoms, you’ll find they are similar to those in humans and include:

2. Asthma

Cats can have asthma just like us humans—in fact, asthma is thought to affect between 1 and 5 percent of all cats, with most being diagnosed around 4–5 years of age. Asthma in felines is theorized to be caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen that’s been inhaled. After the allergen enters the body, antibodies cause immune cells to start inflammation pathways, resulting in the narrowing of the airways. If your pet is showing signs of asthma, your vet will need to do a variety of tests on them to diagnose it, including imaging. Luckily, there is treatment available in the form of corticosteroids and bronchodilators.

Symptoms of feline asthma include:

3. Bladder Stones

There’s a chance that the Nebelung could be more prone to bladder stones due to the Russian Blue in their ancestry, but it’s not yet certain. Still, it’s something to keep a watch on. What are bladder stones? They are mineral formations that develop within the bladder that occur because your kitty’s body isn’t processing them correctly. Because inflammatory diseases are common in a cat’s bladder, your vet will have to do some testing in the form of imaging to determine if they are suffering from bladder stones or something else. If they are, treatment options will be either surgery or dissolving them naturally with diet therapy.

It may be difficult to determine if your cat might have bladder stones as the symptoms are less visible than those of other illnesses, but they include:

4. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is one of the most diagnosed heart diseases in cats. While the Nebelung isn’t necessarily more prone to this disease than other breeds, you should be aware of it because it occurs often in felines. This heart disease is inherited and causes muscles in the heart’s wall to thicken, which can result in blood clots and heart failure. Unfortunately, there isn’t a cure, but if caught in time, you can manage it with medications that will help control the heart rate and prevent blood clots. Since this one is an inherited disease, be sure to check with the breeder you’re purchasing from to ensure that the parent cats of any kitten you’re looking at have been tested.

Symptoms will vary by feline, and you typically won’t see any symptoms until the disease is in the later stages. Symptoms may include:

5. Kidney Disease

Particularly as cats get older, kidney disease may become an issue (though younger cats can also be at risk). This disease can be either chronic or acute, with acute typically being the result of something such as ingesting poison, kidney infection, or blockages in the urinary tract. Chronic kidney disease, though, is typically what happens as cats age. Regardless of the type of kidney disease you suspect your Nebelung may have, your vet will have to do several tests to determine the cause. Depending on what they find, treatment for kidney disease can range from surgery to medications to changes in your pet’s diet.

Symptoms of kidney disease can include:

6. Obesity

The Nebelung cat may be a bit fussy about what it considers good enough to be fed, but once it’s found a food it loves, you’ll have to keep an eye on them to ensure they aren’t overeating. Too much food and treats can lead to obesity, a significant problem in cats. Not only will gaining too much weight cause your kitty to have trouble moving around and enjoying life to the fullest, but it can also lead to serious diseases such as diabetes or joint problems. If you find your cat is getting a bit chunky, talk to your vet about the best diet to put them on and ensure they get enough exercise each day!

Symptoms of obesity include:

7. Seborrhea

This skin disorder is relatively common in cats and has two types—seborrhea oleosa and seborrhea sicca. Seborrhea oleosa involves oily skin, while seborrhea sicca involves dry skin. Both conditions tend to be confused with dandruff, as they both cause the skin to become flaky. However, seborrhea is more serious than dandruff as it is usually caused by something such as a parasitic, bacterial, or fungal infection or allergies. Your vet will need to test to see what the underlying cause is if your Nebelung has seborrhea, which will determine the treatment. Treatments may involve special shampoos, corticosteroids, medication, and supplements.

Symptoms of both types of seborrhea will include:

Conclusion

Overall, the Nebelung cat is an incredibly healthy breed known for its longevity. Because they’ve not been around as long as other breeds, we don’t yet know what exactly they could be more prone to when it comes to health problems. However, you should be aware of several common health issues that affect all cat breeds, so you can catch them early if they affect your feline. If you see any of the above symptoms in your Nebelung, be sure to take them to your vet straight away for diagnosis and treatment.

Featured Image Credit: Milada Vigerova, Pixabay