Bengal cats are prone to three major genetic diseases. The first is PRA-B (Progressive Retinal Atrophy), a condition that leads to the gradual deterioration of light-sensitive cells in the eyes, eventually causing blindness. The second is PK Deficiency, a disorder that affects red blood cells, impairing their function and leading to anemia. The third is Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a heart disease that causes thickening of the heart muscle, potentially leading to severe complications. Fortunately, the first two diseases can be detected through DNA testing to identify carriers.
Both PRA-B and PK Deficiency are autosomal recessive, meaning that many Bengal cats are carriers without exhibiting symptoms. However, if two carriers breed, some kittens may inherit the disease. At BangkokCats, we conduct DNA screening on all our breeding cats to ensure that no affected kittens are produced. Regarding HCM, there is no reliable DNA test for Bengals, but we perform annual heart ultrasounds on our breeding cats for early detection. This ensures that cats from BangkokCats are free from anemia, have no blindness risk, and come with a 2-year guarantee against HCM.
