Genetic diseases of cats and dogs

SMA (Spinal Muscular atrophy = spinal muscular atrophy) is a disorder caused by necrosis of the spinal motor neurons, which triggers the activity of skeletal muscle torso and limbs.

What is SMA?

SMA (Spinal Muscular atrophy = spinal muscular atrophy) is a disorder caused by necrosis of the spinal motor neurons, which triggers the activity of skeletal muscle torso and limbs. Skeletal muscle is operable with it will and the body moves - for example, allows the cat walk, but swallowing and turning his head. Loss of neurons in the first months of life leads to muscle weakness and atrophy, which was first apparent in 3-4 months old kitten. The kittens affected by developing a special rocking gait. At 5-6 months of age have the legs are affected kittens so weak that it can not quickly jump to higher places, and often clumsy fall. Although hair loss of muscle mass can hide in a thorough inspection of the losses seen.
Sick cats do not suffer pain, fortunately, are the flavors and playful, have no problem with incontinence, and most of them lived as a domestic cat for many years just fine. Some cats can live with this disability until the age of 8-9 years. Affected kittens are found in farms across the entire United States and return control lines have been found that a number of carriers of genetic mutations have been imported into foreign kennels.

Heredity and the incidence

Scientific studies have shown that the SMA is an autosomal recessive disease. Thus, in order for your kitten's fault found, it would inherit a mutated allele from both parents (SMA / SMA). Kitten with one mutant allele (N / SMA) is clinically healthy and the only potential carrier of the mutation to the next generation.For keeping the best individual is one who is not only healthy, but not even a mutated allele (N / N). After such individuals will always be healthy kittens, most can get one mutated allele from the other parent. Identification of carriers is very important for breeding.
The only burdened by the disease breed is Maine Coon cats. Percentage incidence of the disease is estimated at 1-5%, SMA originally considered a rare disease, with a maximum incidence in the same bloodline, but later it was found that the extension is wider than expected.

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