..⃗.•̩̩͙⁺゜OSTEOCHONDRODYSPLASIA ⤾·˚ ༘ ◡̈
research for a bugkit application


╭┈─────── ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
╰┈➤ ❝ the disorder❞


-ˋˏ ༻note༺ ˎˊ-

Though Bugkit is not a purebred Scottish Fold, their folded ears are most likely caused by this gene, hence I researched Scottish Folds (the only case of cats I can find with naturally occurring folded ears ).


-ˋˏ ༻causes༺ ˎˊ-

Flopped ears in Scottish fold cats are often caused by a genetic mutation known as osteochondrodysplasia (or Scottish fold disease), which affects both ear and bone cartilage in the felid. This can cause joint pain in a cat, but the severity of this varies from one individual to another.


-ˋˏ ༻effects༺ ˎˊ-

The source stated that cats with the disease often:

➷ are reluctant to move
➷ have an odd gait/posture
➷ limp
➷ find it increasingly difficult to jump from one place to another
➷ have short or oddly shaped limbs

Pain from the disease can also cause felines to:

➷ hide
➷ eat less
➷ groom less

Cats with two copies of the osteochondrodysplasia gene will be more severely affected than others. Around 50% of cats with just one Scottish fold parent (and hence one copy of the osteochondrodysplasia gene) will be affected by disease.
Abnormalities can lead to arthritis at a young age, and it is a progressive condition, with no known cure.
All cats with folded ears will be affected by the disease to some degree.

There are mixed responses on whether folded ears in cats are more likely to cause ear infection, however, it may be down to the simple factor of how folded the cat’s ear is. If a cat’s ear is folded to the point that it can indeed trap wax, then infections are more likely, however, if it is only somewhat folded, I assume it would not have any more chance of infection than the ear of a cat without the mutation.


╭┈─────── ೄྀ࿐ ˊˎ-
╰┈➤ ❝ how it affects bugkit❞


-ˋˏ ༻general༺ ˎˊ-

Bug will have one copy of the osteochondrodysplasia gene, meaning they will have a less severe form of the disease. At around 25 moons old, they’ll begin to develop pain in their joints. This will get progressively worse throughout the rest of xyr life.
Bug’s ears are not more prone to infection, as their ears are only somewhat folded, just curled down rather than flattened to xyr head.
When the pain is particularly bad, they may be snappy and reluctant to allow any cat to touch near their joints.


-ˋˏ ༻treatments༺ ˎˊ-

They’ll have to make many trips to the medic, most likely for dandelions, in order to help xem sleep or to act as a painkiller. Other things that may help them would be: massages, exercises and hydrotherapy.
It will also be important for Bug to stay in shape, so that no extra stress is put on their joints, causing excess pain.
Later in life, when it is particularly difficult for them to get around, xe may require help reaching different locations. Xyr nest will be made particularly soft, so that they can rest more comfortably despite their disease.


-ˋˏ ༻physical appearance༺ ˎˊ-
In terms of appearance, xe will obviously have folded ears, but will also have a shorter, stiffer tail and shorter legs, with a stiffer posture, especially later in life.


-ˋˏ ༻emotional/behavioural༺ ˎˊ-

When the pain is too much for them, xe may not be able to perform regular warrior duties, and will rest instead. This will frustrate xem, as they will feel as if they are of little use to the clan, however xe will refuse to ever truly give up on their duties.
When the pain is particularly bad, they may be snappy and reluctant to allow any cat to touch near their joints.