Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in Cats
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is a genetic disease occurring in Persian and in Exotic Short-hair cats but which has also spread to other breeds, such as the British Short-hair.
The disease is characterised by renal failure.
The mutation, or change to the structure of the gene, probably occurred spontaneously in a single cat but once in the population has been inherited from generation to generation as any other gene. The mutation causing this disease has been identified in a gene called PKD1 by a research group at the University of California led by Dr Lesley Lyons.
The disease is inherited with a dominant mode of inheritance. All cats have two copies of the PKD1 gene, one inherited from each parent. If either of these copies is the mutant form of the gene, then the cat will be affected with the disease. The affected cat will also pass on a copy of the mutant gene to, on average, 50% of its offspring, which will in turn be affected by the disease.
The Animal Health Trust now offers a DNA test for this disease which directly detects the mutation. This test is an alternative to ultrasound scanning. The test requires 1ml EDTA blood sample and costs £31 per cat including VAT.
DNA testing forms can be downloaded by clicking here.
For swab kits please contact Symone Ingram telephone +44 (0) 8700 509144 or fax +44 (0) 8700 502461 or via e-mail to swab.request@aht.org.uk.
