Feline Polycystic Kidney Disease

[Freedom]

So the breeder should be testing the cats before using them in a breeding program. I bet responsible breeders know this and do the testing.

I am glad to read Willow is clear!

[maerlyn]

What a relief that Willow is clear! I know that's a very great relief.
I'm a little unclear, though: is this PKD the run-of-the-mill kidney disease we've heard of for years? Niether my Willie Wonka or Merlin were any of the breeds mentioned. Both were born of barn cats. Willie was a DSH; Merlin was DMH. I suppose, Merlin's hair being medium-long, there might be some Persian in his breeding; anything is possible.

At any rate, the info is very interesting and invaluable to know; thank you for going to the effort of sharing it with us.

Love, Sharon

[Karen]

They do mention "random bred" and American Shorthair among the breeds it is found in, so basically it can be almost any cat, particularly one of unknown ancestry! So glad Willow is clear of the disease! And it is good to know why Willy was sick, and that there's nothing you could have done to prevent it.

[kuhio98]

Sharon ~ I've lost the link to the site where I found the following --- been doing ALOT of research and evidently went crazy copying and pasting without thought of saving sources.

Is PKD Only a Problem for Persian Breeders?

No. Although PKD appears to be more prevalent among Persians (including Himalayans) and Exotics, ultrasound results to date have also found PKD in American Curls, American Shorthairs, Siamese and Scottish Folds, as well as Household Pets, Domestic Shorthairs, and Feral cats. An Oriental Shorthair was also diagnosed with PKD as the result of a necropsy.

Test results from many breeds are not available, and even for those which are available, most are so few in number as to be inconclusive what the eventual results will be. However, about 7% of the 172 non-Persian and non-Exotic cats tested to date have been positive, vs. about 37% of the Persians and Exotics.

[krazyaboutkatz]

This is very interesting. I'm so glad to hear that Willow is all clear.

[smokey the elder]

If the test is accurate, then $40 isn't much to pay for piece of mind. FIV/FeLV tests cost around that.

[Catty1]

People can get this too. When my father-in-law died many years ago, he had been on dialysis for years. His kidneys failed just as he retired - not fair!

We were visiting at the funeral home when his doctor came in and said that Alf had had polycystic disease and that my husband needed to get an ultrasound ASAP, as it could be inherited. Thankfully the ultrasound gave Jim the all-clear!

I am glad Willow is clear. I bet Willy is keeping an eye on her. {{{hugs}}}