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What Owners Need to Know About Snowshoe Cat Eye and Heart Health

Good to know: general information, not veterinary advice. Read our disclaimer.
A veterinarian examining the eyes of a Snowshoe cat

Short answer: the breed profiles we checked do not describe any eye or heart disease that is specific to the Snowshoe. Your Cat says there are no known inherited diseases, though polycystic kidney disease (PKD) has been reported, and VetWest says the breed has no specific health issues. That does not make a Snowshoe immune: eye problems and heart disease can affect any cat, so owners should know the warning signs and keep up regular check-ups.

What the breed sources say

  • Your Cat: generally healthy, with no known inherited diseases. PKD cases have been reported, and breeders are not required to test for it. Nothing is said about eye or heart conditions.
  • GCCF: notes that PKD has been reported in the breed.
  • VetWest: says the Snowshoe has no specific health issues, advises keeping vaccinations and parasite treatment up to date, and suggests check-ups every six months from the age of 7 to catch age-related problems.

Breed information can be incomplete, especially for a young breed, so "none reported" is not the same as "none exist". Ask your breeder what health checks they do, and see your vet regularly. Our Snowshoe facts article gives the wider picture.

PKD: the condition to ask about

The UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory describes PKD1 as an inherited form of polycystic kidney disease in which cysts form on the kidneys, typically early in life, with kidney failure developing later. It is autosomal dominant, so a cat with one copy of the variant is affected and can pass it to about half of its offspring. It is found mainly in Persians and Persian-derived breeds, and a DNA test using a cheek swab is available. Your Cat says breeders of Snowshoes are not required to test, so ask whether the parents have been screened. If your cat has kidney trouble, our guide to chronic kidney disease in cats covers the signs.

Eye health: what to watch

PetMD lists these signs of eye problems in any cat: squinting, pawing at the eye, discharge, redness, cloudiness, a visible third eyelid, swelling and light sensitivity. Its guidance on timing is useful:

  • See a vet within 24 hours for suspected conjunctivitis.
  • See a vet soon for red or irritated eyes, tearing, thick or creamy discharge, or swelling around the eye.
  • Squinting that lasts more than a few hours or a third eyelid that stays visible also needs a vet.
  • Emergency: sudden blindness with dilated pupils, a cloudy cornea, severe pain, or a suspected corneal ulcer or glaucoma. PetMD warns permanent blindness can result if treatment is delayed by hours.

Do not put over-the-counter products in your cat's eyes without a vet's advice. Common conditions listed include viral eye infections (often linked to stress or illness), conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, dry eye and cataracts. PetMD also says retinal problems are often tied to high blood pressure from hyperthyroidism or kidney disease, which is another reason regular check-ups matter in older cats.

The Snowshoe's blue eyes are part of its Siamese-style colour pattern and are normal for the breed. A change in an eye's colour or a new spot, though, should be checked; PetMD lists iris swelling or colour change as a possible emergency sign.

Heart health: the "silent" disease

The University of Illinois Veterinary Medicine describes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) as a common, serious heart disease in cats in which the muscle wall of the left ventricle thickens. It is called "silent" because many cats show no obvious signs until it is advanced, and unlike in dogs, a heart murmur (or its absence) does not reliably show whether a cat has heart disease. The article does not name any breeds, and it says normal behaviour and a normal exam do not rule it out.

Early signs owners may notice

  • Less interest in play or slowing down during activity.
  • Lethargy.
  • Increased effort to breathe.

Emergency signs

  • Rapid or laboured breathing, often from fluid around the lungs.
  • Sudden pain, paralysis or loss of blood flow in the hind legs, usually from a blood clot.

The gold-standard test is an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound). There is no cure, but the article says many cats are managed well for extended periods, and cats with mild disease may live many years with good quality of life. An energetic breed such as the Snowshoe may show a drop in play first, so notice changes. See our guide to normal cat sleep to tell ordinary rest from tiredness.

What you can do

  1. Choose a breeder who shares health information, including PKD screening and any heart or eye checks.
  2. Keep your cat lean; see our Snowshoe weight guide.
  3. Check eyes weekly as part of grooming; see our hygiene guide.
  4. Watch breathing and energy. Note your cat's resting breathing when calm, which can help you notice change.
  5. Book yearly check-ups, and from about age 7 follow VetWest's suggestion of checks every six months, or whatever your vet advises. See what to expect at a check-up and our senior cat guide.
  6. Keep vaccines and parasite control current; see our vaccination guide.

Quick checklist

  • No Snowshoe-specific eye or heart disease is described in the sources we checked, but PKD has been reported.
  • Ask the breeder about PKD screening.
  • Know the eye warning signs and treat sudden changes as urgent.
  • Watch for reduced play, tiredness and breathing changes.
  • Regular vet check-ups; more often in older cats.
  • This is general information, not veterinary advice.

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Sources

Further reading

Reminder: Kittyslovers (The Best Kitty Corner) is an independent blog. Our authors are not veterinarians and this article has not been reviewed by a veterinary professional. Always consult a licensed veterinarian about your cat's health, diet, supplements and medication. Found an error? Let us know.