What is Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKdef) in cats?
So what is Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKdef) in cats? It's the lack of enzyme (Pyruvate Kinase) found in the cats red blood cells. This pyruvate kinase enables the cats to produce energy to survive. if the enyme is lacking the survival time of the red blood cells in the cat is reduced, causing a lack of red blood cells circulating, which in turn causes anaemia.
PKdef may not show up until the cat is older, as younger cats bodys can produce new red blood cells easily and quickly, the younger cat can adapt to having lower energy levels and not show clinical signs.
The older cat may exhibit clinical signs of lethargy and lack of appetite, but it could turn into life threatening anaemia if undetected.
Bengal cats are at low risk of PKdef, it is an inherited condition, requiring two copies of the gene to be passed along (one from each parent). Breeders will work with a PKdef carrier, ensuring that they will only breed to a non PKdef carrier, resulting in kittens that will either be negative or a carrier.