Health Testing
Health testing is an important part of our core values here at Solinari Bengals. We have a commitment to make sure our cats and those that we produce are as healthy and clear of all testable genetic diseases. All our kittens go home with a 2 year health guarantee. The health guarantee covers all severe heritable genetic diseases that are not environmentally influenced.
Below we discuss all the health testing we do.
Bengal Health Testing
Erythrocyte Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PK Deficiency)
Autosomal Recessive
Cats affected by PK deficiency develop anemia. The anemia is intermittent, the age of onset is variable, and clinical signs are also variable. Symptoms of this anemia can include severe lethargy, weakness, weight loss, jaundice, and abdominal enlargement.
A kitten can only be affected by this disease if both parents carry for it and the kitten inherits two copies of the gene.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-b)
Autosomal Recessive
Bengal progressive retinal atrophy is characterized by progressive blindness. The loss of the cells begins around 7 weeks of age and slowly progresses until the cat has very compromised vision by approximately 2 years of age. Blind cats tend to have more difficulty at night, sometimes becoming more vocal and more attached to their owners. The pupils are usually more dilated for affected cats than for cats with normal vision in the same lighting conditions. Affected cats also tend to carry their whiskers in a more forward position.
A kitten can only be affected by this disease if both parents carry for it and the kitten inherits two copies of the gene.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Unknown Inheritance Mode
Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a condition that causes the muscular walls of a cat’s heart to thicken, decreasing the heart’s efficiency and sometimes creating symptoms in other parts of the body. Although the cause of HCM has not been clearly identified, the fact that the condition is more prevalent in certain breeds (including Maine Coon, Ragdoll, British Shorthair, Sphynx, Chartreux and Persian cats) and that mutations of several cardiac (heart) genes have been identified in some cats with this disease suggests that genetics plays a role.
This is why we screen our breeding cats every year with a Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist!!! However, breeding two certified cats is not a guarantee that their kittens will be clear of HCM. Two cats that are rated well normal can still produce offspring with HCM.
FeLV, FIV, Random PCR
The feline leukemia (FeLV) and FIV test is a blood test used to detect exposure to or infection of one of these viruses. The feline leukemia test is often called the “Feleuk” test or abbreviated as "FeLV" test. The feline immunodeficiency virus test is also referred to as the FIV test or feline "AIDS" test.
The PCR test is a sensitive test for detecting the presence of the upper respiratory pathogens Chlamydophila felis, Feline Herpesvirus and Feline Calicivirus. The test is most reliable in cases with clinical disease. Negative test results are expected in patients with latent herpes infections as the virus is found in the trigeminal ganglion during this period.
Optimal Selection
Optimal Selection is a DNA test that tests for over 40 genetic diseases. It gives comprehensive blood typing and genetic diversity information. All of which are used in our breeding program.
