One of the main aims of the UKRBS is to promote the Health and Welfare of the Ragdoll Breed.  This will result in responsible breeding by responsible breeders who want the best for the Ragdoll.  Breeders registered with the UKRBS will be encouraged, and in time REQUIRED, to DNA test all of their Breeding cats for the known HCM gene which will help to ensure that this condition is hopefully eventually eliminated from the Ragdoll Gene Pool.

While HCM occurs in just a small percentage of Ragdolls we believe that by DNA testing all breeding cats, and making breeding decisions based on the results, that the percentage will almost certainly be lowered.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart condition in all breeds of cats which causes the wall of the heart's left ventricle to thicken progressively as the cat gets older.  This means, eventually, that the heart may not be able to function efficiently and the thickening can progress until the cat's life cannot be supported.  Too many cats die from HCM each year. It is the most common form of heart disease in the cat. In many breeds it is an inherited disease.

There is no cure for HCM.  HCM is a genetic condition.

Until recently, HCM could only be diagnosed by a scan of the heart or by a necropsy; however, sometimes a slow progression of HCM may not show up on a scan for years.  This means that there is no sure way to tell if a breeding cat is free of HCM until the cat is older and has already started breeding and may then pass it to the kittens.

The Ragdoll and Maine Coon breeds have been now studied in connection with feline HCM.  Recently, there was a major breakthrough when one of the genes for HCM in our Ragdolls was identified. A DNA test for the known Ragdoll mutation is now available

With this test, we can start testing our Ragdoll breeding cats for HCM before they are bred.  Each gene that is identified means that breeders can avoid producing kittens with that genetic defect.  When all the genes are identified, we will no longer risk having kittens born who have inherited HCM. 

The GCCF are putting forward a proposal that by 2011 most breed clubs should be incorporating DNA tests into their breeding policies. Here at the UKRBS,  we feel that as the test is available and easy to perform,  we are encouraging all our breeders to do this NOW and not wait another two years before doing something to help prevent this horrible condition.

It should be noted that in human beings with the same disease, there are many different genetic mutations which can cause this disease. It is likely the same in the cat.

Very importantly, the absence of the mutation in this cat DOES NOT mean that it will never develop the disease. It means that it does not have the only known mutation that can cause the disease in the cat at this time. In the future, additional mutations may be identified that may be tested for as well.

Cats that are positive for the test will not necessarily develop significant heart disease and die from the disease. Some cats will develop a very mild form of the disease and will live quite comfortably. We recommend annual evaluation by an echocardiogram and discussion with a veterinarian for treatment options if hypertrophy develops.

Importantly, breeding decisions should be made carefully. At this time, it is believed that approximately 32% of Ragdoll cats that have been tested in the UK carry at least one copy of the gene. Removal of all of these cats from the breeding population could be very bad for the Ragdoll breed. Remember that HCM affected cats also carry other important good genes that we do not want to lose from the breed.

We recommend that careful consideration needs to be done when breeding effected cats as we understand each case is different. The UKRBS are here as a club to help and advise our  breeders through any decisions they may have to face both now and in the future.

As we move forward we should try to select more and more negative kittens from these lines to use for breeding. Keep in mind that we are continually learning about this disease and recommendations will be altered as we obtain more information.

Definition of Possible Results:

Negative: Negative for the HCM mutation

Positive Heterozygote for the HCM mutation: Heterozygotes have 1 copy of the mutated gene and 1 copy of a normal gene

Positive Homozygote for the HCM mutation: Homozygotes have 2 copies of the mutated gene and may have a greater likelihood of showing severe signs

The UKRBS ask all its Breeders to send in their DNA results to the club. All results sent in will be kept strictly confidential if wished by the people whose cats have been tested. They will however be used in research into the disease and the lines that are emerging as having problems.