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Miki & My Beloved Bengals http://mybelovedbengals.blogspot.com/

Shiloh, Darcy, Rudy The Roodster & Ozzy...

Elaine said [Many of those cats have been sold as pets and are not actually on the Active register, they may have been sold primarily as pets in the first place because they are at high risk of HCM or some other genetic disease, how would you know? ]

Very good point.


Thanks

Annie[/quote]

the higher the risk the greater the reward????

And the higher the vet bills!

I spoke to a vet who breeds cats and was told that HCD is widely present amongst all cats whther pedigree or moggy. It may be present but not cause problems or only slight ones, it may cause more major issues but be manageable or it may kill the animal. the cat may have it but die from something else, lymphoma or renal disease being more likely, (all my cats have died from one or t'other of those actually). it was recommended to find a breeder who screens both animals and tests for PKD to be on the safe side. regarding the IC, this vet thought that there is more risk attached to the higher IC's and suggested I find a knowledgeable breeder that understands genetics, didn't do extensive line breeding and suggested someone to speak to. I feel really bad about the nice couple who have the lovely well socialised kittens from their very first litter. They have taken such care in looking after their queen and socialising the kittens. I am just not comfortable with that level of line breeding.

Annie

HCM I should have said

Annie

All a person can do is do their research - I think its important as the more people do the more there is pressure on breeders to screen for the likes of HCM.
I do think that there does have to come a point to where a compromise is made though, sadly in life nothing is perfect but you have to weigh it up and you either take the leap or you dont. There is always risk attached to anything.
The breeders you have spoken about sound lovely and really dedicated, I would rather buy from someone like them then one that churns them out like a production line. I do think having looked into pedigrees myself you will find an element of line breeding crop up quite abit whether it be further back in the generations or more at the forefront - I would question the breeder and ask for the logic behind it. There maybe a reason why they are so comfortable doing that breeding.
I must admit you sound very much like myself - I cross reference everything when it comes to pedigrees, and like elaine said I tick off the names in my peds against the HCM list. There is a great breeder who has helped me work out percentages from my breeding/s to know what colours, patterns etc I may produce - so when a blue popped up in my litter I knew there was a chance of it happening so didnt faint too much I think its great to be prepared but also there does come a point where you just have to either go for it or step away.