Purrs In Our Hearts - Cat Forum UK

Cat Health & Behaviour => Health & Behaviour General => Topic started by: Fleetwood on June 25, 2009, 10:55:29 AM

Title: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Fleetwood on June 25, 2009, 10:55:29 AM

Does anyone here know where to test cats on HCM and PKD by echo with a real radiologist (not sure is that's the right word)?

My cats are all tested negative but I'd like to continue testing when we live in the UK, especially when I start breeding again. There are no reliable DNA tests for siamese cats yet (allthough I have tested them on PKD with a DNA blood test :P). And "ordinary" vets are not competent to do those tests (my vet testes Bailey HCM positive and was tested negative afterwards by a radiologist)...

Title: Re: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Gillian Harvey on June 25, 2009, 11:18:53 AM

Quote from: Fleetwood on June 25, 2009, 10:55:29 AM

Does anyone here know where to test cats on HCM and PKD by echo with a real radiologist (not sure is that's the right word)?

My cats are all tested negative but I'd like to continue testing when we live in the UK, especially when I start breeding again. There are no reliable DNA tests for siamese cats yet (allthough I have tested them on PKD with a DNA blood test :P). And "ordinary" vets are not competent to do those tests (my vet testes Bailey HCM positive and was tested negative afterwards by a radiologist)...

They do the gene test for PKD at Langord in Bristol, and Animal Health Trust in Newmarket http://www.fabcats.org/breeders/infosheets/pkd/pkd_gene_test.html (I'm pretty sure they do the scanning at those centres too)

There is a screening scheme for HCM, theres a list of participating cardiologists http://www.fabcats.org/hcm/index.html

Title: Re: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Fleetwood on June 25, 2009, 11:41:23 AM

Oh, thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for :)

Title: Re: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on June 28, 2009, 21:09:47 PM

Sorry for my ignorance, but what are HCM and PKD?

Title: Re: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Gillian Harvey on June 29, 2009, 12:22:06 PM

Quote from: Judecat on June 28, 2009, 21:09:47 PM

Sorry for my ignorance, but what are HCM and PKD?

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy - its a heart condition (my Sam has it  :( ) and Polycystic Kidney Disease (sadly I lost two of my persians to this  :( - it causes cysts on the kidneys, and sometimes other organs, and leads ultimately to renal failure, although my Suzie and Jasper were both about 14 when I lost them, it can cause early renal failure)

Title: Re: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Judecat (Paula) on June 29, 2009, 23:56:19 PM

Thanks for that. Should I get my cats screened? Cassie is a Maine Coon and Trouble is a Moggie. Just from your post, certain breeds might be prediposed to these conditions, or not ???????

Title: Re: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Gillian Harvey on July 01, 2009, 23:14:34 PM

Historically persians have been prone to PKD - but it could be completely eradicated with the screening they can do now.

I don't know about HCM, I think that can occur in any cat, but some breeds may be prone.

Title: Re: HCM & PKD tests
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on July 02, 2009, 08:17:52 AM

HCM can be an issue for Maine Coon's as can hip problems.