SIMPLY  MEDICAL

When we started breeding the bengals, we found out that their were some health issues that needed to be addressed so that we could breed healthy cats.

The first that we encountered was in 2003 -  TRITRICHOMONAS FOETUS INFECTION, so we began our partnering with UC DAVIS The School of Veterinary Medicine in Davis, California.

we helped Dr. Marks in one of the studies that led to the finding of RONIDAZOLE as a treatment for the disease.

The Second was HCM - meaning:HYPERTROHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY - because the cat that we used to sire two litters of kittens died at 22 months of age, and the vet in attendance diagnosed his illness to be HCM.  Knowing that it is supposed to be inherited, we were granted permission to have his sire's heart tested. We chose Cardiologist Lori Siemens, DVM in the Sacramento area, and found that the sire had mild HCM. we have tested several of his offspring and have had two positive.

Lori Siemens, DVM and her assistant Andy are very professional, knowledgeable, and friendly and that is why she is our choice for Cardiologist. She has tested over 60 of our  cats and some as many as three times. Click here for a form that you may down load and fill out before your appointment with her if you need one.

Lori Siemens, DVM (CARDIOLOGIST) HCM TESTING:
HCM means: HYPERTROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY

PRA means PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY. We bought a kitten as a breeder, and at approximately 6 months of age, we noticed that when it started to get dark he began to get very agitated, and he would pace and cry a lot.  we also noticed a greenish glow to his eyes. When he was 8 months old, we  met Dr. Leslie Lyons who was doing a study with the Persians on PRA, and she expressed interest in our boy. He was tested and found to have PRA, now the Question is, was it drug related or inheritable? The only way to find out was to do some test breedings and hopefully if we hit a female that was a carrier there would be a blind kitten so that we would know for sure it was inheritable. there was a blind kitten born to one of the Queens, therefore we know it was genetic. since then we have been working closely with Dr Lyons and at this time it is believed that the same gene that produces blindness in the Persians and Abyssinians are not the same genes that produce blindness in the Bengals but more research is needed before we will have a definite answer.

We do our DNA Testing at UC Davis. We have DNA Testing as it is one of the keys we as breeders can use. We can see who carries what: Blues, Melanistic, Chocolate, Snows, Long Hair, etc. By using this tool, we have more options. As of 3-16-09, there is no DNA Test for the Silver color.

Being a large cattery, we have many generations of genetic testing and are hoping to participate soon in other studies pertaining in the heart and eyes other than HCM and PRA.

Leslie Lyons for PRA, DNA, and ETC.

Website: http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/PHR/LyonsDen/

David J. Maggs (OPHTHALMOLOGY)
We also have David Maggs as our eye doctor at UC Davis.

Kristina Narfstrom, DVM, PhD
one of the world's leading animal Ophthalmologist


 
FELINE REPRODUCTION:
We use Jean Metzler, she is a wonderful vet, especially in the area of Reproduction.  She has been able to clear several cats of PYOMETRA and is excellent when it comes to C-Section's  She was also able to help other breeders with problems getting their cats pregnant.  We strongly recommend her for anyone in the Sacramento or surrounding areas who are breeding cats or dogs.

Jean Metzler M.S., D.V.M for (FERTILITY PROBLEMS)

OUR FAMILY VET:
Elaine M. Dornton, D.V.M
She is always willing to learn about the Bengal Breed, is willing to listen, and has much knowledge about cats in general. She and her staff are very professional, and friendly.

Elaine M. Dornton, D.V.M (OUR FAMILY VET)

The future of the Bengal Breed looks bright with all the new Technology, the ongoing research, and the willingness for Breeders to test and share information.  There is much hope, but remember what we believe is true today science may prove untrue tomorrow.  Please be kind to each other, as we are all in this breed because we love them!!!

We thank all of the professional people for their service, and we feel that we have truly been BLESSED by having them involved with our Cattery.

DON'T GIVE UP HOPE !!!

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