Health Testing
At Angeldust Bengals, health is never left to chance. Every breeding decision we make is guided by extensive veterinary screening, genetic testing, and long term health planning, thus ensuring that each kitten begins life with the strongest possible foundation.
Our programme goes far beyond standard breeder recommendations. Through rigorous testing, careful selection, and on going veterinary collaboration, we work to minimise hereditary disease and provide families with kittens raised for lifelong well being.
Below are some of the conditions we actively screen and manage within our breeding programme.
FELINE CORONAVIRUS (FcoV)
Angeldust Bengals is proud to be the UK's only Bengal breeder guaranteeing Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) clear kittens, following a carefully managed eradication programme carried out in partnership with our veterinary practice and under guidance from the University of Glasgow.
Feline Coronavirus is extremely common in multi cat environments and spreads easily between cats. While many cats show no symptoms or only mild digestive upset, in 10 to 15% of cats the virus can mutate into Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). This is a devastating, and often fatal, disease that disproportionately affects young pedigree cats.
Because prevention is far safer than treatment, we have implemented strict biosecurity, testing, and management protocols to eliminate FCoV from our breeding lines.
For our families, this means peace of mind from one of the greatest health risks facing young cats today.
HYPERTHROPHIC CARDIOMYOPATHY (HCM)
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy is the most common heart disease seen in cats and can lead to heart failure, blood clots, or sudden death. Although HCM may develop later in life, many cases have a genetic component.
All Angeldust Bengals breeding cats undergo:
- Regular ProBNP cardiac blood screening
- Regular specialist heart ultrasound scans
These assessments allow early identification of potential heart disease so that affected cats are responsibly removed from our breeding programme.
Our priority is always the long term health of future generations.
GENETIC HEALTH TESTING
Every Angeldust Bengals breeding cat is genetically tested for 50 hereditary conditions, helping to ensure our kittens are free from known breed related diseases.
Particularly important within the Bengal breed are:
PYRUVATE KINASE DEFICIENCY (Pkdef)
An inherited condition causing hemolytic anemia, which may result in weakness, heart complications, and muscle wasting. All breeding cats are DNA tested to prevent affected kittens.
PROGRESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY BENGAL (PRA-b)
A genetic disorder causing early onset blindness, sometimes beginning as young as seven weeks of age. Responsible genetic screening ensures this condition is not passed to our kittens.
PROGESSIVE RETINAL ATROPHY (PRA rdAc)
A later onset retinal degeneration affecting the photoreceptor cells of the eye, leading to gradual vision loss. DNA testing allows careful breeding decisions that protect future generations.
POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PKD)
An inherited disease where fluid filled cysts develop in the kidneys and enlarge over time, eventually impairing kidney function. Genetic testing ensures affected lines are excluded from breeding.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We believe exceptional breeding begins long before a kitten is born.
Health testing is not simply a checklist, but an ongoing commitment to responsible breeding, scientific guidance, and ethical decision making. By investing heavily in prevention, screening, and careful selection, we aim to give every Angeldust kitten the healthiest possible start in life.