[QUOTE=russmania]while HCM can be a little more controversial since the test (ultrasound scanning) available now cannot give an "absolute" +ve or -ve to any given case.........PKD genetic test is a very mature technique widely adopted in the world these days......

And it covers a number of persian-based breeds. Agree that there's no 'hit-and-miss' with PKD these days - it is negative (in which case, a breeder can guarantee the genetic disease is NOT there) or not. Isn't HCM testing in MCO possible by DNA testing, too? Sure got that impression from Dr Susan Little at last year's WCC seminar - though granted, it's for one mutation only. (MYBPC) And DNA testing for PK-D is available for abys.

I will recommend the Aussie test kit big time - quick, convenient & inexpensive. If you do the sampling by yourself (just rub a little tissue from the cat's mouth with the enclosed swabs and send them in for testing) you will know the result in about 10 days or so. If it is done (the sampling) by a vet then the test is universially "official".

Microchip number when submitting is useful

I'm sorry Farish, nothing personal, but it seems to me you have some serious misconception here - if I have proven that my cats are totally PKD free by testing them or their parents -ve before any of them is sold, then "NO ONE" can accuse me of selling them a PKD cat in case the cat concerned may eventually die with very similar symptoms as PKD (other kinds of kidney disorder or diabete for examples) in a few years' time.

No decent vet would mistake PKD for any other kidney disease, on autopsy.

Your cats either have it, or don't - there's no grey area in the case of PKD.

In the breeds designated as suitable for the test.

And, the screening of genetc problems is "ALWAYS" a precautionary measure which aims at nothing but to prevent something from happening. The way I see it, what Farish used as an example isn't quite applicable in any of my cases - say, "NO ONE" can come back to me, taking any advantage of my guarantee for granted by saying that my cats are the victims of a certain genetic diseases of which I have told them (and written in contract) they were free from them. In the case of PKD, again, a copy of the lab test certificate would be included in the contract and the owner will need to obtain his/her official evidence from established authorities if he/she inisists that the cat is PKD positive........

I've bred cats which turned out to have PKD back in the days of ultrasounding only (one breeding cat didn't show anything when done at 1 yr, but did a year on) and much depended on the skill of the sonographer. The nano-second DNA testing was available, all my breeding cats were done (all neg, thank God!) and I have absolutely no compunction in selling ALL with a lifetime guarantee on PKD! Copies of parents' certs are always available.

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Lesley (Tasmania)