Belgium bans the breeding and trade of cats with lop ears
As of October 1, 2021, Belgium's ban on the breeding and trade of cat breeds with lop ears, such as the Scottish Fold and Highland Fold, will come into force. The most notable characteristics of these cats are their ears, which are the result of a genetic mutation that causes an abnormality in the cartilage called osteochondrodysplasia. This is why these animals suffer varying degrees of painful degenerative joint disease.
Osteochondrodysplasia: a painful and untreated condition
Cartilage in other parts of the body, such as joints, is also malformed. The front and back legs can bend and thicken. The caudal vertebrae thicken and the joints develop abnormally. The symptoms resemble those of arthritis in which the joints are chronically inflamed. Movement for these animals is difficult and painful. In severe cases, cats become lame and no treatment is possible.
The only way to avoid this condition is to prohibit the reproduction of cats that carry the gene. Therefore, they point out that it is unethical to continue to breed cats with a genetic mutation that is known to cause significant painful diseases.
Owners who currently live with any of these breeds are warned that in no case can they sell or give them away. In the case of breeders, they must sterilize their animals and stop breeding.
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