POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PKD)

PKD is a genetic disorder found in the Persian breeds (Persians, Himalayans, Exotics).
PKD causes cysts to form on the cat's kidneys which destroys the kidneys' ability to function.

Kittens can inherit a gene for PKD from one parent or two parents.  
If they have two genes, they often die when young kittens.  
If they inherit one gene, they can live for a few to several years.
Once a cat starts showing symptoms of the disease (like renal failure) it is most humane to
have the cat euthanized.  Death from PKD is very painful and the cat just wastes away.

Breeders today are breeding towards PKD free cats.
A cat can be diagnosed positive or negative for the PKD gene through a DNA test done at
UC Davis (California, USA) or Gribbles laboratory (Australia).
Before the DNA test became available, breeders could have their cat's kidneys scanned via
ultrasound by an experienced veterinarian.  The ultrasound would show if the kidney showed
signs of cysts (a "positive" sign for PKD) or if the kidneys were normal and healthy.

When buying/adopting a kitten/cat you should always ask for copies of the cat's DNA PKD
status and/or the DNA PKD status of their parents and/or grandparents.
Once a cat is DNA negative, they will never contribute a PKD gene to their offspring.

Adopting a PKD positive cat should not be out of the question.  Some breeders do breed PKD
positive cats in order to try to get a negative offspring.
For example,
a mother may have one gene for PKD (she's positive)
and the father is negative (he has NO PKD genes).
Statistically, 1/2 the kittens could be positive and 1/2 negative.  
The breeder would plan to keep a negative daughter to replace the mother in the breeding
program.  The positive mother and positive offspring would be altered and placed as pets.  
Any time a breeder places a PKD positive cat, they should always inform the adopting family!  
That adopting family needs to be sure they are ready for the cat's early death and the possible
need for humane euthanasia when the time comes.  
These cats can still give a lot of love and companionship to their families.

WHY ON EARTH breed a cat that will die and produce kittens that will die?
When PKD started showing up, it devastated the Persian breed.  Nearly 30% of the breeding
cats were lost to the disease.  That means the gene pool shrank tremendously.
In order to keep a breed healthy, there has to be enough genetic diversity to keep the cats
healthy and robust.

If you breed, or are thinking of starting to breed,
PLEASE, PLEASE DNA test all your breeding cats!  
And ALWAYS be honest to adoptive families about their new cat's PKD status!
When you buy a new cat, have it DNA PKD tested as a contingency of the sale.

HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY (HCM)

HCM is a disease of the heart muscle.  It causes the heart to enlarge.
It progresses over time, but the symptoms are so subtle, that the cat often gets sick and dies
very suddenly.
It is thought that HCM is a hereditary genetic disease and research is ongoing to develop a
diagnostic DNA test.  It currently appears that each breed needs its own DNA test.  
Progress is underway for Maine Coons and Devon Rex

FELINE INFECTIOUS PERITONOSIS (FIP)

FIP is one of the most feared and difficult diseases in the cat world.
It is actually caused by a mutation of the common Corona virus.
Once a cat contracts FIP, it can be a carrier and shed virus thereby infecting other cats, or it
will die from the disease.

It is an unfortunate viral trick of nature and cannot be forseen.
It is thought that there might be a predisposition to a weak immune system that causes some
cats to get FIP and others to fight it off.
A few things can be done in managing your cat population to lower the risk of FIP:
Keep litter boxes meticulously clean.  
Scoop at least every day and change litter frequently.
Reduce the stress your cats undergo.
Play with them every day to exercise them.
Do not allow them to roam freely outdoors or come into contact with strange cats.
Keep your population to a number so the number of cats comfortably fits into the space they
occupy.  It is thought that cats should be separated into groups of about 3 cats.

There is a lot of research left to do.
It is very heartbreaking to lose a pet.  Fortunately, from what we know today about FIP, a
person no longer has to euthanize all their cats who were exposed to the one that died.
A cat population can live on in a healthy state without another cat ever contracting FIP.

On this page,
I would like to share some brief information about some
common feline diseases all cat owners should be aware of.
For more specific and current information,
please consult your veterinarian.
You may also wish to visit my links page and go to
feline health and wellness links
for some internet information.

FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV) (Feline AIDS)

The virus is in the same family of viruses as the human HIV, but it does not cause HIV or AIDS
in people!!
It is transmitted through bodily fluids, quite often from the cats using the same food and
water bowls as an infected cat, or from grooming an infected cat.

I blood test all of my new cats for FIV and all of them are negative.  They never come into
contact with other cats who have not been tested negative.

It is very important to have any new kitten/cat tested before mixing them with your cat
population.  It is a good idea to have your new kitten/cat tested when you first get them just
to be sure.  Consult your veterinarian for advise.

DO NOT allow your cats to roam freely outdoors!!

FELINE LEUKEMIA (FeLV)

FeLV is a viral disease, that causes cancer, blood disorders,
and lowers resistance to infection.
It is spread through contact with bodily fluids.

I blood test all of my new cats so everyone in my household has tested negative.

DO NOT allow your cats to roam freely outdoors!!