Thanks you so much for contributing your thoughts on the Persian breed, Jennifer. This is a very important message.

If any Persian breeders read these messages, please select the "doll-faced' ones for your programme as their body structure is more compatible with good health.

We have six Persians, all of them from shelters. All are spayed or neutered. All of them have breed-related health issues of one kind or another. They get upper respiratory viruses and depression in shelters. Many of them die as a result. They are frequently turned in to shelters because of health problems.

Here are pictures of our three buff boys, which illustrate some of the health issues that affect this breed.

The first cat pictured, Tigger, had a vicious respiratory virus when we got him as a foster cat. He literally dripped snot all over the computer room, where he was located. He is an extremely flat-faced boy. His eyes have to be cleaned twice a day and even then we find that his eyes get in a mess. We didn't have the heart to return him to the shelter as we knew he would get sick all over again and he could lose his life. We elected to adopt him. He had a very difficult time with anaesthesia on the one occasion he received it. Jennifer mentioned this potentially disastrous problem. The vet used a technique called "masking down." This went badly and he could have died. Tigger has quite a bit of difficulty getting food from the plate to his mouth. His jaw makes it tough for him- it's just not shaped correctly.

Dexter, the second cat, has eye problems and he has to have his eyes cleaned regularly. He also has major dental problems as so many extreme-faced Persians do. He has some bladder problems. Jaw misalignment causes problems for him when he eats.

The third Persian is Riley. He has the corneal ulcers that are quite common with the breed. They can be seen on the photo. He has had daily medication for years. He also has dental problems. He may have to lose many teeth, according to the veterinarian who examined him last week. He has had stone problems which are also quite common.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is also quite common in this breed. This can be a very serious illness.

All six of them have to be groomed frequently. Matts seem to develop overnight.

That being said, we love them dearly and we wouldn't part with one of them! They are wonderful.