Health of the Devon Rex
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Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) - compulsory testing for breeding cats under GCCF rules.
Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) causes muscle weakness in Devon Rex and Sphynx cats. Affected cats show ventroflexion of the head and neck, head bobbing, scapulae protrusion and generalised muscle weakness and fatigability. Signs become evident at three to 23 weeks of age and usually progress slowly or remain static. Moderately to severely affected cats show evidence of more generalised muscle weakness, particularly following exertion, stress or excitement. Typically they have a high-stepping forelimb gait, head bobbing and progressive dorsal protrusion of the scapulae. Affected cats tire easily with exercise, with progressive shortening of the stride and superimposed tremor. Eventually they collapse in sternal recumbency, typically with the head coming to rest on, or to one side of, their front paws. Affected cats frequently adopt a characteristic 'chipmunk' position, usually with their front legs resting on a convenient object. The mutation responsible for CMS has recently been discovered by researchers from the Universities of Missouri, California - Davis, California - San Diego, Sydney and Milan. The genetic disease is recessive, meaning that affected cats have two copies of the mutation. Cats with one copy of the mutation (carriers) are not affected, but can pass the mutation to their offspring. Interpretation of results:
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Information courtesy of Dr Chris Helps BSc PhD, Senior Research Fellow, Head of the Molecular Diagnostic UnitUniversity of Bristol
Blood Typing - advised testing under GCCF rules.
The BAC strongly recommends that all Devon Rex and Devon Rex Variants should be blood type tested, especially all those used for breeding. Breeders and owners of Devon Rex and Devon Rex Variants are recommended to blood type test all their cats but more especially all breeding stock. Blood type A kittens resulting from a mating between a type A stud and a type B queen may die within the first few days of life if allowed to suckle their mother's colostrum. Hypokalaemia - advised testing for Burmese lines
Burmese Hypokalaemia (Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy) is characterised by episodes of low serum potassium levels and high CPK (an enzyme that indicates muscle damage). Clinical signs include skeletal muscle weakness, which is episodic in nature and can affect the whole animal or may be localised to certain muscles. This is most obvious in the neck muscles, but sometimes occurs in just the limbs. As a result affected cats tend to have problems walking and holding their head correctly. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) - advised testing for BSH/Exotic and historic Persian lines
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD) is a common problem in Persian cats and related breeds, especially Chinchillas, Exotics and British Shorthairs. The Molecular Diagnostic Unit has been offering a genetic test to diagnose autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (AD-PKD) in cats since April 2005 |
HOW TO TAKE A SWAB FROM YOUR CAT
1. The cat’s mouth should be free of food, therefore delay sampling for at least an hour after the cat has eaten.
2. Kittens can be tested from birth, but since they should be removed from the mother 30-60 minutes before sampling we recommend they are not tested until 2-3 weeks of age.
3. A cytobrush or cotton tipped swab is used. If using a Q-tip cut off one end and discard (do not touch the remaining cotton tip).
4. Insert the brush/cotton tip into the cat’s mouth between the cheek and gum.
5. Twist/rub the swab several times to collect the cheek cells.
6. Remove the swab from the cat’s mouth and replace in its plastic sleeve (use a separate envelope or plastic bag for each Q-tip).
7. Label the plastic sleeve, envelope or plastic bag with the cat’s name.
8. Complete the submission form and send us your samples.Please note: The test is run on DNA extracted from the cheek cells, not on saliva. Failure to collect adequate cellular material on the swab will result in a failed genetic test result. The genetic test identifies if a sample fails, in such cases repeat sampling will be required.
2. Kittens can be tested from birth, but since they should be removed from the mother 30-60 minutes before sampling we recommend they are not tested until 2-3 weeks of age.
3. A cytobrush or cotton tipped swab is used. If using a Q-tip cut off one end and discard (do not touch the remaining cotton tip).
4. Insert the brush/cotton tip into the cat’s mouth between the cheek and gum.
5. Twist/rub the swab several times to collect the cheek cells.
6. Remove the swab from the cat’s mouth and replace in its plastic sleeve (use a separate envelope or plastic bag for each Q-tip).
7. Label the plastic sleeve, envelope or plastic bag with the cat’s name.
8. Complete the submission form and send us your samples.Please note: The test is run on DNA extracted from the cheek cells, not on saliva. Failure to collect adequate cellular material on the swab will result in a failed genetic test result. The genetic test identifies if a sample fails, in such cases repeat sampling will be required.
