Scottish Fold cats?

[Ginevive]

I was wondering if anyone has info or experience with them? I think that they are so odd/cute looking; almost like cats without ears. But if it is some sort of defect that is bred for superficial reasons, and causes the cat harm, that is a shame. I am just hunting for info on them..

[wolfy-hound]

I've never heard of anything other than MAYBE deafness being a bit higher in occurance. I think that's a myth though. I've had several clients who have Scottish FOlds and they are healthy cats, just look irratated all the time.
It's just like pastel, a tiny mutation that makes them look a little different. No more.
Wolfy

[slartibartfast]

They're cute, but....the gene for the folded ears also carries with it degenerative joint disease.
You can read up more on it here, and see some really cool x-rays of the deformed joints.

http://www.ava.com.au/avj/9902/99020085.pdf

http://www.isfaorg.com/isfahealth.html

They also have the kidney and heart problems common to most inbred cats, but the joint disease is the biggy for me. I personally would neither breed nor buy one, although I would consider adopting one from a rescue group.

[frankykeno]

I'd also worry, as I would with any "closed" ear animal, if you'd have to be really vigilent on ear cleaning.