Description: Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is an inherited disorder in cats, but commonly present not only in cats but also in other animals and humans. PKD causes multiple cysts (pockets of fluid) to form in the kidneys. These cysts are present from birth. Initially, they are very small but they grow larger over time and may eventually disrupt kidney function resulting in renal failure and death of the affected animal. In most animals, the cysts grow slowly, and the signs of disease don´t develop before seven or eight years of age. On the other hand, in some cats, the disease progresses much faster and there is no way to foretell the course of disease in individual animals. Persian and exotic Persian-outcrossed breeds are at the highest risk of feline PKD due to frequent inbreeding.
PKD is the result of a single, autosomal dominant gene mutation. This means that every cat with the abnormal gene will have PKD. All with the mutated PKD gene, even those with only a few small cysts or those with no clinical signs, will still pass the genetic defect onto its kittens (the mutation is transmitted in 50 % of cases), even if mated with an unaffected, healthy cat. In other words, there are no healthy carriers of the disease.
Inheritance: autosomal dominant
Mutation: c.10063C>A in exone 29 PKD1 gene
Sample: EDTA whole blood (1.0 ml) or 2 buccal brushes. For official purposes, the confirmation of identity by Veterinarian is recommended.
The analysis is suitable for the following breeds: several breeds
Notes: PKD affects breeds with different risks.
High risk: Persian and Exotics, Asian, incl. Burmil and Tiffany, Birma, Scottish Fold, British Shorthair, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Ragdoll, Snowshoe
Middle risk: Angora, Maine Coons, Norwegian Forest, Oriental, Siamese, Tonkinese, Turkish Van
Low risk: Abyssinian, Balinese, Bengalese, Burma, Egyptian Mau, Korat, Ocicat, Russian Blue, Singapore, Somali
