The health and wellbeing of my bengal cats and kittens is of the utmost importance to me and my adult breeding cats are tested for Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency by Langford Veterinary Services Laboratory, University of Bristol. The cats also have their hearts scanned on a regular basis and are tested for HCM (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) and other heart abnormalities by Anne French, cardiologist at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh. Each cat receives a thorough examination and an echocardiogram (ultrasound examination of the heart).
The test is performed in association with the Feline Advisory Bureau (FAB) and the Veterinary Cardiovascular Society (VCS) and their aim is to identify cats free from HCM, to collect data for investigation of a possible genetic basis and to advise breeders, owners and cats' veterinary surgeons when an abnormality is identified. This is not a perfect tool for the diagnosis of HCM but is the most sensitive method currently available for detecting early signs of the disease. More information on HCM can be found on the Feline Advisory Bureau website www.fabcats.org |