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1 ) Genetic Blood groups in cats
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update September 2019: LABOKLIN holds the patent for the new improved test, which:
- is validated for all cat breeds except Domestic Shorthair, and
- can now check for more 'b' allele variants than ever before, and
- can check for the 'c' allele which is resposnible for the AB serotyp, and
- only available at Laboklin
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The Disease |
The AB system is the major blood group system in domestic cats. The common blood
types are A and B. Cats with bloodtype B have anti-A antibodies at a high titer and
cats with blood type A have anti-B antibodies at a low titer. Cats with the rare AB
blood type do not have anti-A or anti-B antibodies. These natural antibodies can leed to bloodgroup incompatibility that can be lethal. First symptoms are dyspnea, vomiting and agitation. Neonatal isoerythrolysis occurs when a female cat with blood type B is bred to an Atype male cat and the A-type kitten absorb the anti-A antibodies from the breast milk. The hemolytic disease that ensues can be lethal.
A recent study at Laboklin identified a number of new variants involved in determining the different blood groups in cats. Our Genetic Blood Group DNA test has now been updated with the new variants and as a result we can now screen all cat breeds except Domestic Shorthair for genetic blood groups. The updated test can detect the 'b' mutation which is reposnible for blood group 'B' more accurately than before and in more breeds, and the 'c' mutation which is repsonsible for blood group 'AB' in Ragdoll and Bengal can now be detected.
The test is valid for all cat breeds except: Domestic Shorthair.
The new improved test is more comperhensive than any other commercially available tests. |
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Trait of Inheritance |
The genetic determination of the blood group in cats enables the genetic differentiation of the serologically determined blood group before breeding.
Blood typ A is dominat to c and b. With the gene test it´s possible to identify the recessive c and b allels. b is associated with the B serotyp and c is associated with AB serotyp in Ragdoll. Cats with two copies of the b allel have the Type B bloodgroup.
To clarify the genetic basis of cats with bloodgroup type A or AB the gene test is recommended.
Order of dominance: N > c > b
Test results:
- N/N: The cat is serologically Group A
- N/c: The cat is serologically Group A carrying group AB (Ragdoll and Bengal)
- N/b: Group A carrying group B
- c/c: The cat is serologically Group AB (Ragdoll and Bengal)
- c/b: The cat is serologically Group AB carrying group b (Ragdoll and Bengal)
- b/b: Group b
Breeding:
- Avoid breeding 'b' carriers to 'b' carriers: this will ensure that you don't get kittens which are serologically B.
- Cats with blood group B should only be bred with group B.
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Inheritance :
trait
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Sample Requirements |
Whole blood in EDTA tube (0.5 - 1 ml) or Buccal swabs. . |
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2 ) Hypokalemia / Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy (BHK)
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Breeds
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Australian Mist
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Burmese
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Cornish Rex
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Devon Rex
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Singapura
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Sphynx
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Tonkinese
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The Disease |
Burmese Hypokalemia (Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy) is a recessive genetic characterized by episodes of low serum potassium levels and high CPK (creatine phosphate kinase, an enzyme that indicates muscle damage). Clinical Symptoms include episodes of skeletal muscle weakness which can affect all muscles of the cat body or it can be restricted to certain muscles. This is mostly seen in the neck muscles, but sometimes it affects the limbs only. As a result affected cats may have problems with walking and holding their head correctly. The disease is not typically fatal and can usually be managed by adding potassium supplements to the diet (consult yuor vet if your cat is affected).
The disease affects Burmese and Burmese related breeds such as Burmilla, Bombay, Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, Singapura, Sphynx, Australian Mist, Tiffanie, and Tonkinese.
The genetic mutation responsible for this disease has been identified by a team of researchers from the University of Bristol (England), the Lyons Feline Genetics Research Laboratory at UC Davis, University of Sydney, Massey University and Justus Liebig University. This discovery has allowed development of a genetic test that allows identification of carrier and affected cats.
* test performed by partner lab |
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Trait of Inheritance |
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Inheritance : AUTOSOMAL
RECESSIVE
trait
Sire
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Dam
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Offspring
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clear
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clear
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100% clear
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clear
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carrier
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50% clear + 50%
carriers
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clear
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affected
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100% carriers
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carrier
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clear
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50% clear + 50%
carriers
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carrier
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carrier
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25% clear + 25% affected
+ 50% carriers
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carrier
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affected
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50% carriers + 50%
affected
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affected
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clear
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100% carriers
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affected
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carrier
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50% carriers + 50%
affected
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affected
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affected
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100% affected
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Clear
Genotype: N / N [ Homozygous normal ]
The cat is noncarrier of the mutant gene.
It is very unlikely that the cat will develop Hypokalemia / Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy (BHK). The cat will never pass the mutation to its offspring, and therefore it can be bred to any other cat.
Carrier
Genotype: N / BHK [ Heterozygous ]
The cat carries one copy of the mutant gene and one
copy of the normal gene.
It is very unlikely that the cat will develop Hypokalemia / Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy (BHK) but since it carries the mutant gene, it can pass it on to its offspring with the probability of 50%. Carriers should only be bred to clear cats. Avoid breeding carrier to carrier because 25% of their offspring is expected to be affected (see table above)
Affected
Genotype: BHK / BHK [ Homozygous mutant ]
The cat carries two copies of the mutant gene and
therefore it will pass the mutant gene to its entire offspring.
The cat is likely to develop Hypokalemia / Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy (BHK) and will pass the mutant gene to its entire offspring
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Sample Requirements |
Whole blood in EDTA tube (0.5 - 1 ml) or Buccal swabs. . |
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3 ) Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS)
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Breeds
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Devon Rex
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Sphynx
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The Disease |
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) is a genetic disorder that results in congenital muscle weakness in Devon Rex and Sphynx breed cats.
The disease is caused by a an autosomal receissive mutation in the COLQ gene. |
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Clinical Signs |
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Clinical symptoms include generalized muscle weakness, particularly following exertion, stress or excitement. Affected cats often exhibit the “dog-begging” or “chipmunk” position, usually with the front legs resting on an object. Affected cats unable to resist the effect of the disease by asphyxiation due to choking on food or aspiration pneumonia by two years of age. Signs of the disease can be seen as early as 3 weeks of age and progress slowly but occasionally do become static.
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Trait of Inheritance |
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Autosomal Recessive
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Inheritance : AUTOSOMAL
RECESSIVE
trait
Sire
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Dam
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Offspring
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clear
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clear
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100% clear
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clear
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carrier
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50% clear + 50%
carriers
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clear
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affected
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100% carriers
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carrier
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clear
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50% clear + 50%
carriers
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carrier
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carrier
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25% clear + 25% affected
+ 50% carriers
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carrier
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affected
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50% carriers + 50%
affected
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affected
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clear
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100% carriers
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affected
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carrier
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50% carriers + 50%
affected
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affected
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affected
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100% affected
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Clear
Genotype: N / N [ Homozygous normal ]
The cat is noncarrier of the mutant gene.
It is very unlikely that the cat will develop Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS). The cat will never pass the mutation to its offspring, and therefore it can be bred to any other cat.
Carrier
Genotype: N / CMS [ Heterozygous ]
The cat carries one copy of the mutant gene and one
copy of the normal gene.
It is very unlikely that the cat will develop Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) but since it carries the mutant gene, it can pass it on to its offspring with the probability of 50%. Carriers should only be bred to clear cats. Avoid breeding carrier to carrier because 25% of their offspring is expected to be affected (see table above)
Affected
Genotype: CMS / CMS [ Homozygous mutant ]
The cat carries two copies of the mutant gene and
therefore it will pass the mutant gene to its entire offspring.
The cat is likely to develop Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) and will pass the mutant gene to its entire offspring
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Sample Requirements |
Whole blood in EDTA tube (0.5 - 1 ml) or Buccal swabs. . |
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Price
for the above 3 tests
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£ 66.00 (including VAT)
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| To order:
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Download
Order Form from this link 
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Complete the order form and send it together
with your samples to the following address:
Laboklin (UK), 125 Northenden Road, Manchester, M33 3HF
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