Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Kidney cysts and screening in Maine Coon cats explained
By Gendron, Karine et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2013·University of Bern·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Maine Coon renal screening: ultrasonographical characterisation and preliminary genetic analysis for common genes in cats with renal cysts.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of healthy Maine Coon cats underwent kidney screening, and 27 of them showed some renal changes. Seven cats had small renal cysts, mostly on one side, while 10 cats showed signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Genetic testing for a common kidney disease mutation was negative in the six cats tested, indicating that these cysts are not linked to the same genetic issues seen in other breeds. Overall, cystic kidney disease is rare in Maine Coons, but signs of CKD can appear in younger cats.
People also search for: Maine Coon kidney disease symptoms · cat renal cysts treatment · chronic kidney disease in cats · genetic testing for kidney disease in cats
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of renal cysts and other renal abnormalities in purebred Maine Coon cats, and to characterise these through genetic typing. Voluntary pre-breeding screening programmes for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) are offered for this breed throughout Switzerland, Germany and other northern European countries. We performed a retrospective evaluation of Maine Coon screening for renal disease at one institution over an 8-year period. Renal ultrasonography was performed in 187 healthy Maine Coon cats. Renal changes were observed in 27 of these cats. Renal cysts were found in seven cats, and were mostly single and unilateral (6/7, 85.7%), small (mean 3.6 mm) and located at the corticomedullary junction (4/6, 66.7%). Sonographical changes indicating chronic kidney disease (CKD) were observed in 10/187 (5.3%) cats and changes of unknown significance were documented in 11/187 (5.9%) cats. All six cats genetically tested for PKD1 were negative for the mutation, and gene sequencing of these cats did not demonstrate any common genetic sequences. Cystic renal disease occurs with a low prevalence in Maine Coons and is unrelated to the PKD observed in Persians and related breeds. Ultrasonographical findings compatible with CKD are not uncommon in juvenile Maine Coons.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23735675/