What is Polycystic Kidney Disease - PKD?
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is an inherited disease of the kidneys that affects Persian/Himalayan cats. It is a slowly progressive, irreversible disease. A kitten can inherit the PKD gene from either parent, or both of them. It is estimated that 38% of Persian/Himalayan cats are affected with the PKD mutation that causes Polycystic Kidney Disease.
Although affected kittens are born with abnormal kidneys, signs of the disease usually do not appear until the cat is between 3-10 years old. However, some severely affected kittens may die before 2 months of age. The kidneys of kittens with PKD contain fluid filled cysts. As the kitten ages, the cysts become larger and more numerous. Kidney tissue is lost, and the kidney is less able to function properly. Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys can no longer function properly.
What can we do to prevent Polycystic Kidney Disease?
Breeders can have their cats DNA screened for the gene that causes PKD, and only breed negative cats. Affected cats are gradually being removed from the Persian and Himalayan gene pool by responsible breeders.
Here at Wonderfluf we work with only the healthiest lines in our Persian and Himalayan breeding program. All our breeding cats have been DNA tested for PKD and returned a Negative result.
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