Balinese — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA rdAc, CEP290)can shorten life or cause chronic pain
Balinese cats carry the same CEP290 mutation found across the wider Siamese group; a 2009 survey found roughly one-third carrier frequency in Siamese and closely related breeds, explicitly including Balinese/Javanese, and UC Davis lists Balinese as appropriate for the test.
Ask to see: UC Davis VGL PRA rdAc (CEP290) DNA test result, on both parents
UC Davis VGL — PRA rdAc (CEP290) test (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/pra-rdac) · UC Davis VGL — Balinese test list (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/breed/balinese)
Protruding sternum
An outward or inward bend in the lower chest bone, seen mostly in oriental-bodied breeds; CFA names Balinese directly among the breeds most often affected. Outward protrusion is usually harmless; an inward one can affect the chest cavity and needs veterinary assessment.
Ask to see: No DNA test exists — ask for a veterinary chest exam noting sternum conformation, on both parents
Cat Fanciers' Association — Genetic Disorders (https://cfa.org/genetic-disorders/)