Well my take on crosses has gone a full 180..

I think it may actually be better to buy a cross. I think a breeder producing a bengal/ moggy cross may actually be doing you a big favour.

HCM is now so badly engrained in bengal lines and so little is being done to limit the damage by the MAJORITY of breeders then I think crosses are likely to be a safer bet than a purebred bengal, at least one of the parents will be a low HCM risk which although does not eliminate HCM risk it must reduce it.

The more I look into breeding activity and the lengths that some bengal breeders are willing to go to to "Make it appear" they are ethical the more I am becoming aware that the distinction between Breeder and Back yard breeder is not the clear cut line it first appears to be.

6 months ago I would never have advised anyone buy a cross, now to be honest if someone asked my advise I would have to say if you can get a bengal moggy cross then go for that over a full bengal, and even better go for a different breed altogether until the dross is weeded out of the breeding game and we are left with breeders who care enough about the breed to do something about these genetic faults.

Sooner or later these things are going to become public knowledge, a shock wave is beginning to ripple through the bengal ownership and when/ if it gathers momentum the **** is going to hit the fan in a spectacular mess

_________________

_________________
Lollo

_________________
Lollo

_________________
Hugo, Rufus, Inca and Marley

_________________
Laura x

_________________
Hugo, Rufus, Inca and Marley

_________________

_________________

thanks lacemoat, kai (and kami) mean the world to us and we will do the best we can for Kai. Like Louise, i did do research before getting a bengal, but clearly i did not look into the health issues closely enough. Forums like this can make people paranoid about all of the conditions out there, but i think it is a good thing to be aware of what you are getting yourself into.

Kai's breeder has been in touch and have said they will do what they can to help but basically - what can they do? It is myself and my partner who will have to deal with the fact that our baby is going to die and that this could happen at any moment.

It is also petplan who will be shelling out for his scans, treatment and medication which ultimately will put premiums up for everyone else. Kai is 18 months old and petplan have paid out 4k already!! (he was really ill at 11 months with suspected mysthenia gravis - resulting in biopsies being couriered to USA and a 7 night stay in hospital in glasgow).

I love both of my cats dearly they are my very spoilt babies however if i was ever to consider getting another bengal (or any other pedigree animal) i would be very cautious.



Kai is the golden brown and Kami is the cooler brown x

_________________
Laura x

Sadly it does seems to be the case that awareness is simply not there, and your every day pet owner hasnt even heard of hcm.

Its important the information is put out there and both breeders and pet owners can work together in putting the word and the knowledge out there in a positive & productive way in the hope that in the future cats like Kai and families like yourselves dont have to suffer x