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A DNA test for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) in cats
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).
A DNA test for PKD1.
Recently Dr Leslie Lyons and her co-workers of the University of California in Davis
have identified a causative mutation for Polycystic Kidney Disease in the feline PKD1
gene, allowing for early detection of this disease. Until now, for an ultrasound examination
that was about 95 percent accurate, breeders had to wait at least nine months, too long
to postpone decisions about keeping a kitten for showing or breeding purposes. Dr Lyons'
DNA test allows us to determine the genotype on the PKD1 locus of young kittens
so that we know which ones will develop PKD later in life. The PKD test yields two
possible outcomes:
- Your cat is free (and has two "healthy" alleles, pkd1/pkd1), it will not
develop PKD and, just as important, it won't pass on the defect to the next generation.
- Your cat is affected (and has at least one defective allele, PKD1/….), it will
develop PKD later in life and will also pass on the disease to the next generation.
For breeders it is important to know the PKD1 status of their cats because it helps them
to eliminate Polycystic Kidney Disease from their breeding stock. For owners it is
important to know because it gives them an opportunity to respond adequately after the
first signs of the disease become manifest.
Breeds at risk.
Breeding policy.
Testing for PKD1.
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