The health of our cats is a top priority in our cattery. Ensuring that our cats are tested for hereditary conditions is of the utmost importance to us, so you can be assured of a healthy kitten.
We test our cats for the following conditions:
HCM
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats. It involves a thickening of the heart muscle, which can lead to serious conditions such as heart failure, fluid in the lungs, and thrombosis. In many cases, HCM can even be fatal. HCM is a hereditary disease and affects approximately 10 to 20 percent of all cats.
All our cats are tested for HCM annually at Dierenkliniek Breda using ultrasound.
PRA-b
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a disease that causes blindness in Bengals. It leads to the degeneration of cells that convert light (photoreceptors) in the back of the eye (retina). The deterioration of these cells begins around seven weeks of age and gradually progresses until the cat is nearly blind by the age of two. However, the progression of blindness varies among individual cats.
Blind cats may experience more difficulty at night, vocalize more frequently, and often become more affectionate toward their owners. Affected cats typically have enlarged pupils compared to healthy cats under similar lighting conditions. They also tend to hold their whiskers more forward. Once an affected cat becomes familiar with its surroundings, they can remain highly mobile and active.
PRA-b is tested once using a buccal swab sample, which determines whether a Bengal is 'CLEAR,' 'CARRIER,' or 'AFFECTED.'
All our cats are 'CLEAR' (n/n) for PRA-b.
PKD/CIN
PKD stands for Polycystic Kidney Disease, a hereditary condition that occurs in cats.
Cats with PKD develop multiple cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in both kidneys. As the cat ages, the number and size of these cysts increase. Their size can range from a few millimeters to several centimeters. These cysts gradually compress healthy kidney tissue, leading to decreased kidney function. It can be compared to a balloon slowly inflating, putting pressure on the surrounding kidney tissue. Eventually, chronic kidney failure will occur.
All our cats are tested for PKD/CIN every two years at Dierenkliniek Breda using ultrasound.
PKdef
Pyruvate Kinase (PK) is an enzyme that is essential for energy production in red blood cells. In affected cats, this enzyme is absent, causing red blood cells to break down more rapidly. This condition leads to anemia, and the severity of symptoms can vary across different breeds.
PKdef is tested once using a buccal swab sample. A DNA test determines whether a cat is 'CLEAR,' 'CARRIER,' or 'AFFECTED.'
All our cats are 'CLEAR' (n/n) for PKdef.
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