The gangliosidosis GM2 is an inherited diseases of a category known as lysosomal storage diseases. Affected kittens have head tremors at the beginning followed by impaired co-ordination of leg movements which eventually lead to paralysis.
GM2 gangliosidosis is caused by a lack of the enzyme beta - hexosaminidase.
GM2 is inherited as autosomal recessive traits. This means that cats which inherit only one copy of the disease gene appear normal, but the mutation can be passed on to their kittens with a 50 percent chance.
Matings between clears to carriers will result in kittens with a 50/50 chance of being clear, a 50/50 chance of being carriers. Kittens produced by clear to carrier matings should be tested. Breeding carriers to carriers gives each kitten a 25 percent chance of being clear, a 50 percent chance of being a carrier, and a 25 percent chance of being GM affected.
The DNA-based tests differentiate between affected, carriers and affected cats.
These tests can be done reliably at any age, and the results are exactly accurate.