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Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is
a genetic disease found in approximately one-third of all Persians (including Himalayans),
Exotics, and to a lesser extent in other breeds and even in domestic cats. Unlike
some, we won't try and tell you how you should react, but we do feel all breeders, and
particularly Persian, Exotic, and Himalayan breeders (where the majority of PKD positive
cats have been diagnosed to date) need to be knowledgeable about PKD in order to make
informed decisions about the proper course for their own breeding programs. Please
see our PKD FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) for answers to many
common questions regarding PKD.
Research indicates that PKD is an autosomal dominant genetic disease that
has variable expression and no treatment. Most cats do not die from PKD, succumbing
instead to other diseases or even "old" age. However, some cats do die
from renal failure caused by PKD, and in these cats it can be an unpleasant death.
Most catteries tested to date are reporting that between 25 and 67 percent of their cats
test positive for this disease, and will thus pass the disease on to approximately 1/2 of
their offspring (averaged over time). PKD can be diagnosed via ultrasound given
proper equipment (at least a 7.5 mhz transducer and 256 shade gray scale) and properly
trained personnel. Although the limited research to date found ultrasound at 10
months of age or older 98% effective at diagnosing cats PKD positive, it is our opinion
that there is insufficient evidence to date to indicate whether or not this same
percentage will hold true in diagnosing cats in the general persian population, so we
caution everyone to keep "negative" test results in perspective. All they
really mean is that no cysts were found on the date the scanned. In our opinion,
they are not a guarantee that the cat is truely PKD negative. There is currently
work underway to identify the genetic markers for PKD. Once this is accomplished, a
DNA test can be developed which will be much more accurate in identifying both PKD
positive and PKD negative cats.
We completed testing all our breeders and show cats August 29, 1998.
The results of those tests, including scanned
images of all positive kidneys, are available here on our web site. From personal
experience, PKD can lurk in even the healthiest appearing cat. According to
available information, PKD doesn't show any symptoms unless and until the cat goes into
renal failure. So the only way to know whether a cat has PKD is to ultrasound the
kidneys. Regardless of how breeders use the information, we strongly believe all
persian, himalayan and exotic breeders should test their cats. We have, and were
surprised by the results. And its a key ingredient
in making informed breeding decisions.
For those breeders looking for a board certified radiologist to do their
testing, we suggest you check the American College
of Veterinary Radiologists (ACVR) Web Site, which, among other interesting
information, contains a searchable database of all radiologists certified by the ACVR.
(Note that the majority, but not all, who have applied to ACVR and been certified
are located in the United States, although there are some in other countries, particularly
Canada and some of the European countries.)
Sources of additional information on PKD include the following:
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