Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cause of heart disease in the adult cat. Dr. Meurs has demonstrated that HCM is associated with a mutation in the myosin binding protein C gene in the Maine Coon and Ragdoll cat. However, in both breeds, a small number of affected cats that develop HCM do not have the known causative mutation for their breed. In human beings, the disease is commonly associated with a mutation in one of several genes that encode for sarcomeric proteins. It is possible that a mutation in the alpha tropomyosin gene is associated with the development of HCM in one or all of these breeds. The objective of this study is to evaluate this gene in both affected and unaffected cats of these breeds for a causative mutation. (Ricky Fund Study) (Breed Study)
Grants