Lynda wrote:
My opinion is just that - an opinion because my experiences with PKD were losing 2 cats very young (2-5 years.). I believe that in testing to find out you can address any changes in health early on, and use a 'kidney' diet if vet feels it would be beneficial. My two girls were severely affected and by the time the diagnosis was made there was little to be done for them. We did the fluids and I even hand fed them but the time between diagnosis and death was less than a year for both. It is a horrible and painful disease for both the cat and the owner.
AMEN!!! I agree with this as well as your "opinion" on breeding PKD positive cats. When I got Giles the very FIRST thing I did along with a vet check was the PKD DNA test. Yes, his breeder is reputable and very honest (don't see this often enough I'm afraid) and had paperwork for my boy's mom but not his dad as it was lost in a computer crash. We agreed to handle the DNA on the contract in case the test didn't go as we had hoped. Of course it did and he IS Negative! I didn't doubt it but I also didn't have proof in hand and I AM a breeder who IS honest and I NEEDED that proof. I adore his breeder...so very easy to talk to and deal with. But still I needed the proof.
Now -- Giles is a breeding male so my reasons are different that those mentioned here. But I have to say...knowing is half the battle.
Knowledge is POWER folks! I am a FIRM beliver in that. I think the more knowledge we arm ourselves with the better we are able to protect these wonderful flat faced babies. Even ones from poor quality breeders such as the one this kid came from! As Lynda said...the more you know the more likely you can offer this baby a long life OR have the relief of a clear DNA test.
This test is so inexpensive! It is so worth it! Matter of fact it is so worth it that I went through and redid DNA tests on offspring from DNA negative parents recently just to have up to date records because my DNA tests went back 3 and 4 generations...too complicated to give paperwork to anyone without it becoming a puzzle to describe who is whose parent, grandparent and great grandparent.
I personally think it is so worth doing! For all involved!
**one more thing...if we had MORE pet people willing to test their incoming pets themselves then I think over time we would see less and less PKD in our pedigrees because the pet people would then be armed with the necessary knowledge. Matter of fact...I gave one of my vets all the info on testing with a DNA sample and she insisted on doing Giles' test for experience while we were there for his check up! I emailed her my results so she could see what they look like as well. She thought the whole things was very cool! And was grateful that I showed her how this is done as well!