Devon Rex — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
A mutation in COLQ disrupts signalling at the neuromuscular junction, causing muscle weakness, exercise intolerance and, in some cats, regurgitation with risk of aspiration pneumonia. Signs typically appear in kittens.
Ask to see: COLQ DNA test, UC Davis VGL, explicitly validated for Devon Rex (and Sphynx).
Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) DNA test -- breed list is Devon Rex and Sphynx, UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/species/cat)
Hypokalaemia
Devon Rex is named on the WNK4 hypokalaemia test's VGL breed list. The mutation causes episodic muscle weakness from low blood potassium.
Ask to see: WNK4 DNA test, UC Davis VGL, explicitly validated for Devon Rex. Usually managed with oral potassium supplementation once identified.
Hypokalemia (WNK4) DNA test -- breed list includes Devon Rex, UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/burmese-hypokalemia)
Polycystic kidney disease (PKD1)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
Devon Rex is named on VGL's PKD1 breed list. An autosomal dominant mutation causes fluid-filled kidney cysts that enlarge over time and can progress to kidney failure.
Ask to see: PKD1 DNA test, UC Davis VGL, explicitly validated for Devon Rex.
PKD1 DNA test -- breed list includes Devon Rex, UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pkd1-cat)
Neonatal isoerythrolysis risk (blood type B)
Devon Rex is named by UC Davis VGL as one of the breeds with a high frequency of the blood type B allele. A type B queen mated to a type A or AB tom risks kittens developing neonatal isoerythrolysis after nursing colostrum containing anti-A antibodies.
Ask to see: AB blood typing test (UC Davis VGL and other labs). Both breeding partners should be blood-typed before pairing.
Feline AB Blood Type test -- notes Devon Rex among breeds with high blood type B frequency, UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/species/cat)