Osteochondrodysplasia – Scottish Fold

Scottish Fold cats, named for their unique ear shape, show both straight and folded ear phenotypes. The fold type results from a dominant mutation to the gene TRPV4.

This mutation also affects cartilage development, causing a congenital osteochondrodysplasia. All fold kittens are born with straight ears, folding of the ears starts as early as 3 weeks of age. Ear folding is a consistent feature, the age of onset and progression of osteochondrodysplasia is highly variable.