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We have two recessive disease genes to be careful about in the Korat - GM1 and GM2 Gangliosidosis. They are inherited in exactly the same way. Below are tables to show what the theoretical statistical outcome of mating carriers to non-carrier cats might be. The tables include only possible and realistic combinations - affected cats cannot reproduce. GM2 affected cats die before they reach maturity. GM1 affected cats have very clear symptoms before they reach maturity - GM1 affected females cannot manage to carry a litter or give birth normally - GM1 affected males are sterile.

Statistics can only say how things should turn out - sometimes statistics do not agree with any given event, usually because the sample size is too small. You could be lucky and get a lower percentage of carrier or affected kittens than expected, or you could be unlucky and get a higher percentage of carrier or affected kittens than expected because the small size of a litter cannot represent the real statistical probability. Breeding is like a game of dice - you never know just how the genes will combine.

Now that we have the DNAtests for GM1 and GM2, we don't have to run any more risks of getting affected kittens. We can make educated choices when mating based on the DNAtest results of our breeder cats. By identifying all carrier cats and testing their kittens, we can avoid spreading GM more in the Korat breed.

All Korat breeders are strongly recommended to test their breeding cats to determine their GMstatus, so they can plan their future matings safely. The kittens of any carrier cat should be tested as their GMstatus will be unknown.

Many breeders around the world have already tested their cats and can prove it with a GMstatus-certificate for each tested cat. Many of these breeders will only work with other Korat breeders who are testing their cats. Kitten buyers are advised to ask breeders about the GMstatus of the Korat kitten they are buying - the breeder should be able to show the GM certificate for the kitten itself or its parents (if both parents (or all 4 grandparents) are clear, the kitten is clear and doesn't need to be tested).
Kitten buyers should also be aware that carrier kittens will grow up to be otherwise healthy cats with long and happy lives since the disease in these carriers is not visible and can be detected only by testing or mating. Therefore they must be neutered, so these terrible diseases cannot be perpetuated even by accidental breeding.

The Statistic

Camilla Baird Primprau's Korat Cattery © 2003