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kittens and retired adults available Health is a major concern of Donegal Cattery. All Donegal breeding cats are DNA PKD (polycystic kidney disease) Negative, tested at UC Davis Genetics Laboratory and/or Texas A&M Research Facility (Catgenes). All breeding cats receive cardiac ultrasounds by the age of two at The Sound Cat in Wilmington, NC (veterinarian: Rosemarie Williams, DVM). Any cats with ultrasounds that indicate signs of HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), a genetic disease which causes an enlarged heart, are retired from the breeding program. Ultrasound is currently the only definitive test for this disease. There is no DNA test currently available for any type of Persians, only for Maine Coons and Ragdolls. In the summer of 2008 it was discovered that my foundation breeding male, Ronan, was passing this disease to his progeny. It is similar to PKD in that it only takes one parent to pass the disease. That is why I chose to volunteer Donegal Cattery as a research colony for this disease in Persians. The DNA samples of Donegal cats (including breeding adults, kittens produced since 2008, and many cats that have been placed throughout the years with the cooperation of their owners) are included in a landmark study for HCM at Texas A&M. The research is being conducted by Dr. Gus Cothran, DVM. If this facility is the first to discover the genetic marker for this disease, I will be the first breeder to know the genetic HCM status of all cats from Donegal Cattery who have been included in the study. FIP (Feline Intestinal Peritonitis) is another disease that affects virtually every cattery if they breed long enough. It is a disease caused by a corona virus which is mutated in an immuno-compromised kitten. There are two forms of this disease, wet and dry, the former taking the life of the kitten in a short period of time and typically characterized by straw colored fluid filling the peritoneal cavity (thus the name FIP). The latter is harder to define and diagnose, and usually takes several months to finally cause the demise of the kitten. It typically requires necropsy and biopsy of various tissues to determine if FIP was the cause of death. Rates of FIP vary according to which source is providing the information. Suffice it to say that somewhere between 5 and 10% of cattery kittens will succumb to this disease. It is heartbreaking, but unavoidable as corona virus is contagious and exists virtually anywhere there is a cat colony. Donegal Cattery has once again stepped up to the plate in research endeavors and since 2010 submits DNA on all kittens to the study being conducted by Neils Pedersen, DVM at UC Davis. The study's anacronym SOCK FIP stands for Save Our Cats and Kittens from Feline Intestinal Peritonitis. It is believed that there is some genetic component to this auto-immune disease complex, and the researcher of this study hopes to uncover this connection. It is impossible to determine which kittens will succumb to FIP. They can appear very healthy for four, even five months of age, then they become febrile, their appetites wane and the abdominal distension become apparent. One way to help kittens to develop strong immune systems in the face of corona virus is to limit their exposure while their immune systems are developing, after maternal immunity wanes, then slowly introduce them to adults shedding higher levels of the virus at about three months of age or older. I wean kittens at six weeks, separating them from all adults until their immune systems are fully developed. For that reason, I won’t let a kitten go until it is at least four months old. Decisions regarding these health issues were based upon a phone consultation with a veterinarian at Cornell University, journal articles provided by my veterinarian, talks given by experts, and endless hours of research and reading. By the time these babies are ready for their new homes they will have received all core vaccinations: two Intranasal 3 in 1 immunizations (3 weeks apart) and the Merial Adjuvant-free Rabies shot (with certificate and tag). In addition, they receive a Bordatella vaccination and a veterinarian examination at four months of age. Pet buyers are required to spay or neuter at six months of age or older and provide proof from their veterinarian to the breeder in order to receive the kitty's CFA registration paper. Show/Breeder buyers receive their kitten's blue slip with pin number upon final payment for their kitten. I require that all adoptive parents sign a contract, which provides a generous health guarantee. I can mail or email a sample of the contract, along with photos and pedigrees upon request. Most of my kittens are contracted prior to four months of age. I allow for visitations during their development and send updated photos approximately every two weeks. If you are interested in a pet and wish to inquire about a kitten please submit your request via the “contact us” page on this website. If you are a breeder, please mention that in your request, as I have a different contract for breeders. God, my husband, and my cats are the loves of my life. I treat each and every baby as if it were going to be mine. I am fulfilling my dream of breeding these lovely creatures, and can only hope that they bring as much joy to their adoptive parents as they continually bring to me.
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