Health Test Results

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With all the information available nowadays, no breeder can -with a good conscience – avoid outcrossing, testing for genetic diseases and appropriate selection. Not only do we take the health of the Maine Coon breed very serious, we also also take pride in the well being of our own cats.

Everybody in our breeding program has either already been tested for HCM, HD and PKD or has a very well tested anchestry and will be tested at older age. We try to do the Ultrasound for HCM about every 2 years.

Only cats with flawless temperament, the ability to fight disease and no visible genetic defects are kept for reproduction.

All our present breeding cats have perfect gums and teeth. In 2010, our average amount of live kittens per litter was 6.

Our Cattery is vet inspected and vet certified Felv/Fiv negative.

Hearts

Hearts are tested by heart specialist with Color Doppler Equipment for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a slowly developing malformation of the heart. We started testing for HCM in 1999! We also started doing the gene test for the Meurs Mutation in 2007 on our current breeding cats. This gene test is by far NOT sufficient for HCM testing!

Hips

Hips are tested for Hip Displasia (HD), an affection where hip joints are not optimally connected. We started testing for HD in 1999 and have done over 60 OFA tests over the past 12 years! Tests are being sent to OFA.

PKD

Polycystic Kidney Disease does affect our breed to some extent but is more commonly seen in other breeds. We started testing for PKD by ultrasound in 2000! The gene test for PKD is not sufficient!

Genetic Diversity

We select partners for our cats after carefully analyzing their genetic background, using a very large data base called www.pawpeds.com. We have also developed 12 new bloodlines for the breed since 1999.

Patella Luxation (PL) and SMA.

Some breeders also find it important to test for Patella Luxation (PL) and SMA.

Since we started showing again in 2008, I was able to talk to breeders here and there at the ACFA shows in my region. What literally shocks me (Judith Shultz) is how few Maine Coon breeders are actually testing for genetic diseases! As far as I remember, 90 % of the people I spoke to never even did a single hip test and most of them only seem to do that MYBPC3 Mutation gene test, and that test is so extremely inadequate for HCM testing!:-( I was told by a friend that it is different in CFA and TICA circles. I really hope that’s true!

Hypertrophic CardHyioMyopathy (HCM) and Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD):

Below is a list of cats that are being actively used in our breeding program or ancestors of cats used in our breeding program.

Recently Tested summer of 2015 by dopler ultrasound:

Boomerang has been HCM ultrasounded and is negative for HCM
Despurrado has again been tested and is negative for HCM
Poet has been tested and is negative for HCM
Galena has been tested and is negative for HCM
Mahgda has been tested and is negative for HCM

2018 Tested

Welland
Massarade
Temptress
Zendaya
KC
Kristiana Louboutin
Lexie
Scarlett
Sisco

Previous testings at PrairieBaby

Lifes All About Jesus (Blue Moose) tested again and was HCM n/n
Bring on The Rain PP (Aragon) retired tested again and was HCM n/n
Gilliette negative for HCM n/n
Tamarack (retired) negative for HCM n/n
Despurrado (retired) negative for HCM n/n

CH Navkatz Mr. Bluegenes (this cat was given to us by Keraktercats!) aka “Blues”, male

HCM negative at age 1, age 2 and age 7!
PKD negative at age 7!
Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation (WSU lab)
Hips rated normal by Dr. Kent Cooper, feline specialist in Dallas, Texas

Prairiebaby Hope for Harvest aka “Harvest”, male

HCM clear at age 3
Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
Hips OFA certified Good
Sire clear of HCM at age 5.4, dam clear of HCM at age 2 (maternal grandparents clear at clear at age 4.8 and age 5), many HCM, PKD and HD tested ancestors!

Prairiebaby Prairiepaws’n (Songs for) Grace PP aka “Prairiepaws”, female

HCM clearat age 3.2 and age 5.5
PKD clear at age 3.2
Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
Sire HCM negative at age 6.3
SeveralHCM and PKD tested ancestors on the dam’s side!
Hips OFA certified Good

CH Prairiebaby River Mercies aka “Ashanti” – female

HCM and PKD clear at age4.3 , HCM re-test clear at age 5.6
Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
Sire HCM negative at age 2, dam HCM negative at age 6!
Hips tested Good in Sweden

QCH Bogy-Cats Xenos of Prairiebaby aka “Tigger” – male

HCM and PKD negative at age 3.8
Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
2 generations of HCM and PKD tested ancestors!
Hips OFA certified Good

Prairiebaby Come to The River aka “Jericho” – male

HCM and PKD clear at age 16 months,
HCM re-tested clear at age 3.8 and age 4.8
Negative for the MYBPC3-Genemutation
1 generation of HCM and PKD tested ancestors
Hips OFA prelimGood

Prairiebaby Mercy Sweet Spring Rain PP aka “Rayn” – female

Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
Dam HCM negative at age 6.3
SeveralHCM and PKD tested ancestors on Sire’s side!
Hips OFA pending

Coonopry River Song for Hope aka “Hazelnut/ Rose” – female

HCM negative at age 2
Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
Sire HCM clear 3 times up to age 4.8, dam
HCM clear 3 times up to age 4
Hips OFA prelim good

Three siblings:

CH Prairiebaby Hope of Eternity aka “Sylvan”, male
1. HCM negative at age 1, age 4 and age 5.4
2. Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
3. Hips OFA prelim excellent
4. SeveralHCM, HDand PKD tested anchestors!
Prairiebaby Rise Up and Dance P aka “Jelly Roll”, female
1. HCM negativeat age 6.3 (second test)
2. Hips OFA prelim good at 16 months
3. PKD tested negative
4. SeveralHCM, HDand PKD tested anchestors!
Prairiebaby Hope Springs Eternal P aka “Whalebear P”, male
1. HCM negative at age 6.3 (second test)
2. Hips OFA prelim good at 20 months
3. PKD tested negative
4. SeveralHCM, HDand PKD tested anchestors!

Kumskaka PP Whisper on the Wind, aka “Jolie”, female

HCM negative at age 3
Negative for the MYBPC3-Gene mutation
Several HCM and PKD tested anchestors
Hips OFA prelim fair