PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease)

THE PROBLEM: PKD has emerged as a major concern in Persians in Australia in the last twelve months or so. It appears to be more apparent in cats from american lines, but veterinary researchers tend to feel it is likely to be found in many other lines and other breeds of cats also, perhaps in all breeds.

TESTING: Ultra sound scanning conducted and read by trained radiologists, within strict procedures, is the only way to be certain if cats are positive or negative. However, there are degrees of seriousness of being positive.

REACTION TO RESULTS: Breeders should NOT automatically have positive cats desexed or euthanased, as a lot more needs to be learnt about PKD. More problems could be caused by radically decreasing the breeding gene pool than PKD will cause. It is stated by well-known researchers in the USA that PKD-positive cats may live a full and normal life, dying in old age from unrelated conditions.

INFORMATION: Pedigreed Persian Cat Club Inc, chaired by Cheryle U'Ren as the FCCV's representative, is conducting a major seminar on PKD on Sat. 8/5/99 in the Footscray RSL, 48 Geelong Road, Footscray. Contributors include veterinary researchers, radiologists and geneticists. All interested breeders are welcome and should contact either Cheryle on 0359 648 325 or Sue Fitzgerald on 0357 831 564 for more information.

CLICK HERE FOR SEMINAR RESULTS

For further information on PKD Click here: PKD Information

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