Thread: HCM testing??

Well there is a healthprogram for this on Maine coon.
The DNA is only for one gene mainely and there is supposed to be about 12 different genes causing HCM in humans and in cats.

The healthprogram states that an ultrasound should be done at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years of age.

In Sweden most breeders are testing their cats in the breeding program bot by DNA, ultrasound and also doing Hip-xray for Hipdysplasia.
Good to know is that a breeder in sweden not testing for those things is actually indirect breaking the Swedish Animalprotection law, cause
we all know those problems are a bit common in MCO's and the law that says that you are not allowed to breed on an animal that are or most
likely are carrying an inherited disease that can make the offspring suffer or die.
Also hour biggest insurance company is behind the testing and saying that if you want to have some money out of the insurance if you need to
neutere the cat cause to breeding-hygenic reasons, both the parents need to be tested inside the healthprogram. Otherwise you wont get anything out
of your insurance. So is in Sweden really common for almost all to test their cats :-)

Here is a list of veterinarians approved to do the test, the reason just a few is approved is that they need to be special educated Cardiologist.
PawPeds

What is the best age to begin testing for HCM? My guy is going in for his snip just after he turns 6 months old and the vet wants to check his echo & dna before they schedule the neuturing. Is this truly necessary? As a few posted here, our breeder told us the parents tested negative for HCM.

Originally Posted by CatsMom

What is the best age to begin testing for HCM? My guy is going in for his snip just after he turns 6 months old and the vet wants to check his echo & dna before they schedule the neuturing. Is this truly necessary? As a few posted here, our breeder told us the parents tested negative for HCM.

No, no it's absolutely not necessary!
Of course it is always helpful if a petowner wants to help and screen their cats so that we get a bigger picture but it is absolutely not necessary for petbuyers to screen their cats of course if you do have an agreement with the breeder it should be done but there is no hurry, for cats in breeding first test should be done not earlier then the age of 1.
If you follow the healthprogram and register the results in pawpeds then the recommendations is that the cat is tested at 1, 2, 3 and 5 years of age.