^Summary

^{Similar to humans, cats can suffer from genetic diseases or become infected from sexually transmitted diseases. Some genetic diseases can have terrible consequences or lead to death. Responsible cat breeders screen their cats in order to minimize the risks. Nobody can ever guarantee that a kitten or an adult cat will never become sick.}

^{However if one of the parents has any of these diseases, they should not be allowed to breed. How are our cats screened for these diseases? The vet is doing a blood test and an ultrasound of the kidneys and the heart. DNA tests are also possible. These tests are very costly and this is one of the reasons why kittens are not cheap.  However, buying a kittens from a responsible cat breeder who is testing his/her cats is an extra guarantee that you would enjoy the company of a healthy kitten without having unexpected, dramatic surprises.}

^{Diseases in detail}

^{Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Polycystic Kidney Disease are fatal  genetic diseases (they can be inherited), more information follows bellow.  Responsible cat breeders screen their cats in order to minimize that their cats suffer from these diseases. In case any of the parents has any of these diseases, then they are not allowed to be used in a breeding programme, in order to avoid having kittens who inherited the genes responsible for these diseases..}

 ^{1. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)}

^{Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is a genetic disease and it is the most common heart disease for cats. The occurrence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a significant cause of sudden unexpected cardiac death. HCM is frequently asymptomatic until sudden cardiac death, and for this reason some suggest routinely screening.}

 2. Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

^{Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD or PCKD, also known as polycystic kidney syndrome) is a cystic genetic disorder of the kidneys. PKD is characterized by the presence of multiple cysts (hence, "polycystic") in both kidneys. The cysts are numerous and are fluid-filled resulting in massive enlargement of the kidneys. The disease can also damage the liver and pancreas.}

 ^{3. FeLV and Fiv}

^{Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects cats. FeLV is usually transmitted between infected cats when the transfer of saliva or nasal secretions is involved. If not defeated by the animal’s immune system, the virus can be lethal. The disease caused by this virus is a form of cancer of blood cells called lymphocytes (a leukemia).}

^{Cats infected with FeLV can serve as sources of infection. Cats pass the virus between themselves through saliva and close contact, by biting each other and through a litter box or food dish used by an infected cat (rarely happens). Transmission can also take place from an infected mother cat to her kittens, either before they are born or while they are nursing.}

^{Overwhelming epidemiologic evidence suggests FeLV is transmissible to neither humans nor dogs. There is strong evidence kittens under the age of 4 months are susceptible to infection, but at the age of 8 months are resistant - hence it is a good idea to keep young pet kittens indoors, where virus exposure is minimal or non-existent.}

^{Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) is a lentivirus that affects domesticated housecats worldwide and is the causative agent of feline AIDS. From 2.5% up to 4.4% of cats worldwide are infected with FIV. FIV is more closely related to human immunodeficiency virus HIV}

^{FIV was first discovered in 1986 in a colony of cats that had a high prevalence of opportunistic infections and degenerative conditions, and has since been identified as an endemic disease in domestic cat populations worldwide.}

^{The primary modes of FIV transmission are deep bite wounds and scratches, where the infected cat's saliva enters the other cat's bloodstream. FIV can not be transmitted from cats to humans.}

^{Our cats are tested for HCM,  PKD, Felv and Fiv. The result of the tests are also mentioned on the pedigree of the kittens.}