Disease

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a clinically heterogeneous myocardial disease and is the most common cardiac disease identified in domestic cats. HCM is characterised by an increased left ventricular mass due to an increase in wall thickness of the heart, with papillary muscle hypertrophy and systolic anterior motion of the Mitral valves. Subsequently, hypertrophy of the left heart chamber results in cardiac weakness and ultimately in heart failure. Death by HCM can occur via three mechanisms: (i) sudden cardiac death with arrhythmia and ventricular fibrillation, (ii) heart failure with tachycardia, increased respiration, shortness of breath, pulmonary oedema and pleural effusion or (iii) thrombus formation. Thrombi can form either in the left atrium due to abnormal blood circulation or in the heart chamber itself due to severe hypertrophy and cardiac weakness. Atrial thrombi can brake free and reach the arterial blood circuit, thereby often causing blood congestion at the branching of pelvic and crural arteries with paralysis of the hind legs. Echocardiographic examination has so far been the only diagnostic tool for this disease. However, it can only identify affected cats with some years of age, when they already present first symptoms of HCM.

Breeds: Maine Coon, Ragdoll

Trait of inheritance: autosomal-dominant

Material

The DNA test is performed out of EDTA blood or buccal swabs. Required swabs can be ordered free of charge. If a swab is sent in, possibly the genetic material is not sufficient to run the test. In this case it would be best to send in an EDTA blood sample.

Testing Procedure

Please send in your sample together with the lab order genetic. Results will be transmitted optionally via post, fax or email. After completion of the test you will receive a separate invoice. Payment can be made via credit card or bank transfer. Breeding club discounts apply if a copy of the membership card is sent together with the respective samples. Due to administrative reasons the invoiced price can not be altered subsequently.

Test duration: 3-5 days after arrival of the sample in the lab

Questions???

Please contact our molecular biology team for further questions.

LABOKLIN GmbH und Co.KG, Steubenstraße 4, D-97688 Bad Kissingen, Tel. (+49)971 /72020 or Fax: (+49)971 / 7202995 or Email labogen@laboklin.de