Prevalence of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Persian catsand related-breeds in Sydney and Brisbane

Objective - A form of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease has been identified in Persian cats and related breeds. Two features make eliminati on of this disease from future generations an achievable goal: the autosoma l dominant mode of inheritance and the availability of a noninvasive techni que, renal ultrasonography, to identify affected cats. The aims of this stu dy were; to determine the prevalence of the disease in Persian cats and rel ated breeds in Sydney and Brisbane, to determine any effect of domicile and breed on disease prevalence, to alert veterinary practitioners to the prev alence of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease and to propose metho ds of eliminating the disease from future generations of cattery-bred cats. Design - To be included in this scheme, cats had to be of Persian or relate d breed and be older that 10 months-of-age. Younger cats were excluded beca use of the increased likelihood of a false negative result. Renal ultrasono graphy was performed using either a Medison 600 with a 7.5 Mhz mechanical s ector scanner (n=228, Brisbane) or using and ATL UltraMark-9 with a 5 to 10 MHz linear array transducer (n=92, Sydney). The effects of domicile (Sydne y versus Brisbane) and breed on the prevalence of autosomal dominant polycy stic kidney disease were tested using two-tailed Fisher's Exact tests. Results - A total of 320 cats were tested comprising 230 Persians, 48 Himal ayans, 17 Exotics, 14 Burmillas, 6 Ragdolls and 5 Chinchillas. The prevalen ce of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease in Sydney (45%) and Bris bane (42%) was comparable and no sex predilection was identified. The disea se was not detected in Ragdolls, although only a small number was tested. T wo of 14 Burmilla cats were positive (14%), demonstrating that long hair co at and brachycephalic features do not segregate with the polycystic kidney disease trait. Conclusion - These results show that the prevalence of autosomal dominant p olycystic kidney disease amongst pure-bred, long-haired cats in Australia i s currently very high. Ultrasound detection schemes are easy to establish a nd breeder participation can be encouraged through subsidisation.