HCM & PKD
HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy) & PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease)
PKD
Polycystic kidney disease is a disease in which a large number of fluid filled cysts form within the kidneys. These cysts are present from birth in affected cats but they start off very small and then gradually increase in size until eventually they compromise the surrounding normal kidney tissue and cause kidney failure and subsequent death.
In cats polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disease which is a particular problem in Persians and Exotic Shorthairs although it is also present in some other breeds, including Ragdolls. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait so its full name is autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD). Most Persian breeders are aware of this potential problem for their cats and are testing their cats for the disease before using them for breeding. If breeders are able to avoid using affected cats in their breeding lines it should be possible to eradicate the disease from the breed.
For more information about PKD, from the Feline Advisory Bureau site, please click here.
HCM
Please ensure that any Ragdoll kitten you consider buying has been tested for HCM & PKD. Also ask to see the official test results for it - any ethical breeder should ensure that this is available. Failing this, at least ensure that both parents have been tested as 'normal' for the MYBPC3 gene, and the test results are able to be viewed prior to purchase. Please, do not consider buying the cat, if this test has not been done. The DNA test for Ragdolls is cheap, non-invasive for the cat and very easy to do. If a breeder hasn't tested their cats, this should ring alarm bells - ask yourself why!! All of our breeding Ragdoll cats are HCM & PKD tested and test results are availble for prospective buyers to see.
HCM is a dreadful condition and unfortunately, is quite common in the Ragdoll breed. In it's most severe form, cats are unlikely to live beyond the age of 2, and any diagnosed with this defective gene, could potentially, collapse and die at any time. They will also pass the defective gene on to some of their progeny (and 100% if both parents are homozygous for the MYBPC3 gene).
For more indepth details about HCM in cats, please click here. This page is from the Feline Advisory Bureaus' (FAB) site - they maintain the official HCM
register.
Be rest assured as all Dollywinks Ragdoll cats are HCM & PKD negative. Our Chincillas are PKD negative and are not tested for HCM as this is not an issue within the breed. Not all breeders are the same. Some still sell kittens with these hereditary problems.
PKD
Polycystic kidney disease is a disease in which a large number of fluid filled cysts form within the kidneys. These cysts are present from birth in affected cats but they start off very small and then gradually increase in size until eventually they compromise the surrounding normal kidney tissue and cause kidney failure and subsequent death.
In cats polycystic kidney disease is an inherited disease which is a particular problem in Persians and Exotic Shorthairs although it is also present in some other breeds, including Ragdolls. It is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait so its full name is autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD). Most Persian breeders are aware of this potential problem for their cats and are testing their cats for the disease before using them for breeding. If breeders are able to avoid using affected cats in their breeding lines it should be possible to eradicate the disease from the breed.
For more information about PKD, from the Feline Advisory Bureau site, please click here.
HCM
Please ensure that any Ragdoll kitten you consider buying has been tested for HCM & PKD. Also ask to see the official test results for it - any ethical breeder should ensure that this is available. Failing this, at least ensure that both parents have been tested as 'normal' for the MYBPC3 gene, and the test results are able to be viewed prior to purchase. Please, do not consider buying the cat, if this test has not been done. The DNA test for Ragdolls is cheap, non-invasive for the cat and very easy to do. If a breeder hasn't tested their cats, this should ring alarm bells - ask yourself why!! All of our breeding Ragdoll cats are HCM & PKD tested and test results are availble for prospective buyers to see.
HCM is a dreadful condition and unfortunately, is quite common in the Ragdoll breed. In it's most severe form, cats are unlikely to live beyond the age of 2, and any diagnosed with this defective gene, could potentially, collapse and die at any time. They will also pass the defective gene on to some of their progeny (and 100% if both parents are homozygous for the MYBPC3 gene).
For more indepth details about HCM in cats, please click here. This page is from the Feline Advisory Bureaus' (FAB) site - they maintain the official HCM
register.
Be rest assured as all Dollywinks Ragdoll cats are HCM & PKD negative. Our Chincillas are PKD negative and are not tested for HCM as this is not an issue within the breed. Not all breeders are the same. Some still sell kittens with these hereditary problems.