Not a lot have been tested yet so the percentage may well drop as more test...
We really need to spread the word as some of the carriers i know of are NOT related to each other at all....

I think there is confusion about PK DEF as some i spoke to last week thought it was the Kidney Disease and they were shocked when they were told more about it. It is a disease we can get rid of in the Bengal worls, but only if people test...

wendy

PK Deficiency - GCCF - UK breeders - please crosspost

On behalf of Steven Robertson:

"Dear Steven

On behalf of the Progressive Singapura Cat Club, I have been in talks with Langford University regarding PK (Def) and they are willing to put together a meeting at Langford to help breeders to understand PK (Def) and have an opportunity for discussions so that they can formulate breeding plans to work the breed out of this problem.

They would have feline medical specialists to talk about the disease, the genetics and inheritance patterns for different matings and also give a large amount of time over to discussion and questions. This would be a golden opportunity to pick the brains of the experts to ensure the future of our breeds.

They would like some idea of how many breeders they would need to cater for and as UK Bengals have recently found PK (Def) in some of their lines, we are extending the invitation to Bengal Breeders as it is so new in your breeds.

I would be grateful if you could get this out to Bengal Breeders and ask them to give me an idea if they would be interested in attending (date to be determined) and would appreciate replies to progressivesingapuracc@gmail.com

I do hope you and others will be able to join us and expand your knowledge of this disease and how to rid our breeds of it without jeopardising the viability of the breed.

Please feel free to forward this email onto any interested parties or groups.

Marcia Owen"

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Ilona
Cattery Ifness, The Netherlands

http://www.ifness.com/bengaal/

I have tested three of my cats this summer and I tested only because others told me this was found recently in our breed. There were NO reason to suspect. Nothing. I can´t emphasize in enough, no signs what so ever. Healthy cats, good moms, normal litters.

Lara had two healthy, big litters of kittens and Bertta one litter of three. They have never been sick in their life. They are both screened negatives for HCM and any other heart conditions, they are big, strong, good mothers, wonderful temperaments, they have multiple titles both in FIFE and TICA. Bertta is full adult whited. They were perfect breeding cats and still are perfect pets. And then came this. About 6 weeks ago I had never heard about PK-def, or didin´t know what it really is. Now I know more than I ever wanted.

Lara is positive, she is soon 6 years, I think she is among the oldest bengals tested so far
Bertta, Lara´s daughter is positive soon 3 years old
Aryante is Bertta´s daughter and she is carrier.

Many breeders here in Finland have tested and there are at least 6 carriers from different lines and my two positives. Testing has been selective and there are not enough cats who have been tested, but sure is, this is wide spread.

Good news is, what I have heard from aby and somali breeders, affected cats can live normal life and symptoms are usually mild. many of positives never get sick. This is much better from cat´s point of view than HCM. It is possible to breed from it without narrowing the gene pool. We know it is recessive and we have DNA test. There is no reason for panic.

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FIN*Alcarinqua

Katja - Humble servant of Hannibal, Attila, Lara and Bertha

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Ilona
Cattery Ifness, The Netherlands

http://www.ifness.com/bengaal/

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