Cat

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterised by left ventricular hypertrophy. Symptoms are variable from individual to individual and include heart failure, fatigability and in some cases death of the animal. The causative mutation is different between breeds. HCM1 is specific for the Maine Coon.

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterised by left ventricular hypertrophy. Symptoms are variable from individual to individual and include heart failure, fatigability and in some cases death of the animal. The causative mutation is different between breeds. HCM3 is specific for the Ragdoll.

Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterised by left ventricular hypertrophy. Symptoms are variable from individual to individual and include heart failure, fatigability and in some cases death of the animal. The causative mutation is different between breeds. HCM4 is specific for the Sphynx.

Congenital myasthenic syndrome, also known as spasticity, is a disease causing congenital muscle weakness. Affected cats frequently adopt a characteristic squirrel-like position by resting their front paws on an object. Signs of the disease appear at about 3 weeks of age. The disease can progress slowly but affected individuals usually die before 2 years of age.

The FOLD mutation induces the folded ear phenotype characteristic of the Scottish Fold breed. Cats with this mutation may also have cartilage and bone related health problems, including deformed limbs, thickened and stiffened tails and progressive osteoarthritis. The age of onset and progression of these side effects is highly variable. Cats with two copies of the FOLD mutation are more prone to these health problems than heterozygotes (carriers of only one copy).

Cystinuria is caused by a lack of renal reabsorption of the amino acid cystine. This excess of urinary cystine causes crystals to form, which can lead to the formation of stones in the kidney and/or bladder. Cats with cystinuria suffer from repeated inflammation of the urinary tract.

Multidrug Resistance 1 is a genetic mutation in a protein that transports drugs out of the brain. This mutation causes sensitivity to certain drugs, including ivermectin and loperamide. Because of this lack of drug clearance from the brain, affected cats experience neurological symptoms such as ataxia or even death. The MDR1 mutation has currently been identified in the breeds listed below; however, the test can be conducted in any breed.

Polydactyly in cats is a genetic trait where a cat is born with more than the usual 18 toes, with extra toes appearing on the front and/or back paws. The number and placement of these extra toes can vary widely, but they tend to follow certain patterns. In addition to extra toes, polydactyl cats may show slight, harmless changes in the shape of their wrists (carpus) or ankles (tarsus). This condition is generally harmless and does not affect the cat’s overall health.

Progressive retinal atrophy causes blindness due to the destruction of the rods. The loss of vision begins at 7 weeks of age and gradually declines until it is almost complete by the age of 2 years.

Progressive retinal atrophy causes blindness due to the destruction of the photoreceptors in the retina. The loss of vision begins at the age of 7 months and gradually declines until it is almost complete by the age of 3 to 5 years.