When Chunky Becomes Concerning
I loved Winston's teddy bear appearance. He was perfectly round and cuddly. The vet had different opinions about his weight.
Turns out, British Shorthairs are prone to getting fat. And fat cats get other problems.
The Heart Problem Nobody Mentioned
Winston was five when the vet found a heart murmur during his checkup. She said it might be related to his weight, but British Shorthairs also get heart disease genetically.
We needed an echocardiogram to figure out what was going on. $400 for the test.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Winston's heart muscle was thickening, making it harder to pump blood. The extra weight wasn't helping.
Now Winston's on heart medication and a strict diet. The pills cost $160 a month, and the prescription diet food is $70 a bag.
The vet said we caught it early, but I feel guilty for letting him get so overweight in the first place.
The Kidney Disease Scare
Winston's bloodwork showed kidney problems when he was six. The vet said British Shorthairs are prone to polycystic kidney disease.
An ultrasound confirmed it. Cysts were growing in his kidneys. There's no cure, just monitoring and management.
The ultrasound cost $350. Now Winston needs blood work every few months to check his kidney function. Each test is about $180.
His kidney values are stable so far, but knowing this is progressive makes every checkup nerve-wracking.
The Weight Loss Struggle
Getting Winston to lose weight has been harder than I expected. British Shorthairs apparently love food and hate exercise.
The vet put him on a strict calorie-controlled diet. Winston was not pleased. He'd sit by his empty food bowl and give me the most pathetic looks.
I had to buy puzzle feeders and interactive toys to make him work for his food. Winston thought this was deeply insulting.
He's lost 3 pounds over 8 months. The vet says that's good progress, but Winston still acts like he's starving all the time.
What British Shorthair Insurance Really Needs
After dealing with Winston's health issues, I know exactly what matters in British Shorthair insurance.
Weight-Related Problem Coverage
British Shorthairs get fat easily, and fat cats get expensive problems. Make sure your policy covers obesity-related conditions like diabetes and joint problems.
Some insurers try to exclude weight-related issues, which is basically useless for this breed. If they won't cover the problems caused by being overweight, find a different company.
Also look for wellness coverage that includes weight management and nutritional counseling. Prevention is cheaper than treatment.
Genetic Condition Coverage
Heart disease and kidney problems are common enough in British Shorthairs that you should expect them. Don't let insurers exclude these as hereditary conditions.
Winston's heart medication alone costs almost $2,000 per year. His kidney monitoring adds another $1,000 annually. These aren't optional expenses.
Make sure your policy covers ongoing management of chronic conditions, not just initial diagnosis and treatment.