Low-Maintenance Doesn't Mean Low-Cost
I thought getting an 'easier' version of a Persian was smart. Turns out, you can't breed away the flat face problems. You just get them with less brushing.
Bingo has all the same issues as his long-haired cousins.
Breathing Problems From Day One
Bingo snored from the day I brought him home. I thought it was adorable. A tiny kitten making old man sounds.
By the time he was a year old, the snoring had turned into labored breathing. Especially when he played or got excited.
The vet explained that Exotic Shorthairs have the same flat face structure as Persians. Same airway problems, same breathing issues.
Bingo needed surgery to widen his nostrils and shorten his soft palate. $2,900 to help him breathe properly.
The surgery helped, but he still overheats easily and can't handle stress very well. Short hair doesn't fix a genetic breathing problem.
Eye Problems Without the Long Hair
I figured Bingo's short hair would mean less eye maintenance than a Persian. Wrong.
Those big, prominent eyes still tear constantly. The tears stain his cream-colored fur, and if I don't clean them daily, he gets infections.
Bingo's had four eye infections in two years. Each one required antibiotic drops and a vet visit. About $150 each time.
The vet said Exotic Shorthairs have the same eye structure as Persians. Shallow eye sockets, prominent eyes, constant tearing. Hair length doesn't change eye anatomy.
Kidney Disease Just Like Persians
Bingo's bloodwork showed kidney problems when he was four. Polycystic kidney disease, just like Persian cats get.
I asked the vet if this was because Exotic Shorthairs are basically short-haired Persians. She said exactly.
The ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis cost $420. Now Bingo needs regular blood work to monitor his kidney function.
Each test costs about $200, and we do them every six months. His kidney values are stable so far, but knowing this will progress makes every checkup stressful.
Exotic Shorthair Insurance Reality Check
If you're considering an Exotic Shorthair because they seem easier than Persians, learn from my experience with Bingo.
Same Problems, Different Hair
Don't let anyone tell you Exotic Shorthairs are 'healthier' than Persians. They have all the same genetic problems. The only difference is grooming time.
Your insurance needs to cover the same things as Persian insurance. Breathing problems, eye issues, kidney disease. Hair length doesn't change genetics.
Make sure your policy covers flat-faced breed problems. Some insurers try to exclude brachycephalic conditions, which would leave you with no coverage for the most common Exotic Shorthair issues.
Get Coverage Early
I made the mistake of waiting until Bingo showed symptoms before getting insurance. Suddenly everything was a pre-existing condition.
If you're getting an Exotic Shorthair kitten, sign up for insurance immediately. These cats will have Persian-type problems. It's not a matter of if, it's when.
Don't fall for the 'low-maintenance' marketing. They're lower maintenance for grooming, not for vet bills.