• Familial Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
HCM is an inherited disorder identifies in British Shorthairs, Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and Scottish Fold. It is a condition characterized by thickening of the heart muscle resulting in a reduced volume within the ventricles (major chambers of the heart), thus reducing the volume of blood that the heart can pump with each contraction. Affected animal is at risk of developing congestive heart failure and occasionally sudden death. The mutation does not behave like a simple dominant trait, but rather as a dominant trait within complete penetrance. Cats with one copy of the mutant gene are 1.8 times more likely to develop HCM than normal cats. Cats with two copies of the mutant are generally 18 times more likely to develop HCM than normal cats. About 9% of British Shorthair and 30% of Maine Coon are affected by HCM.
• Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
PKD is the most common inherited cause of kidney failure in cats. PKD mutations have been found in many other cat breeds including Exotics, Himalayans, British Shorthairs, American Shorthairs, Ragdolls and Scottish Fold. The disease shows up later in life (late onset). The cysts usually grow quite slowly in the kidney, so most affected cats will not show any signs of kidney disease until they are older. Problems occur when these cysts start to grow and progressively enlarge the kidney, reducing the kidney's ability to function properly. This usually occurs between 3 and 10 years of age (on average at 7 years of age). However, in some cats kidney failure will occur at a much younger age and at the moment there is no way of predicting how rapidly the disease will progress in any particular cat. Ultimately PKD leads to kidney failure. It is estimated over 37% of Persians have PKD.
How to Collect DNA Sample
1. Right before sample collection, please visually check the animal’s mouth to ensure it is clean and clear of any possible contaminants (e.g. food)
2. Write the name of the pet on the sampling tube.
3. Open the swab case and remove the swab, being careful not to touch the sponge tip.
4. Place the swab between the cheek and gum of the animal being tested. Scrub the swab against the inside surface of the cheek for at least 5 seconds to collect cheek cells (not saliva).
5. Allow the swab to air dry for 5 minutes.
6. Place the swab back into the original case.
7. Fill out the information in the DNA Sample Submission Form and make sure it matches the information on the sampling tube.
8. Mail the DNA samples and submission form to us.
Order Information
1. The sample collection kit (including 1 DNA collection tube, 1 DNA submission form and 1 envelop with return address) (per animal) will be mailed to your address within 48 hours after we received your order.
2. Once you have received our sample collection kit, please follow the guidelines mentioned above to finish the sample collection as soon as possible.
3. The DNA test certificate will be sent by mail and email in 12 working days after we received complete DNA samples and submission form.
