Korat — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
GM2 gangliosidosiscan shorten life or cause chronic pain
A mutation in the HEXB gene causes a fatal build-up of gangliosides in nerve cells. Onset is early — fine head tremors from about 4 weeks old, rapidly followed by loss of coordination — with death before 8 months of age. Two copies of the mutation are needed to cause disease, and there is no treatment.
Ask to see: Korat GM2 gangliosidosis DNA test on both parents
UC Davis VGL — Korat GM2 Gangliosidosis (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/korat-gm2)
GM1 gangliosidosiscan shorten life or cause chronic pain
A separate mutation, in the GLB1 gene, causes a related but distinct fatal storage disease. Onset is around 3 months of age, reaching a terminal stage — including blindness and seizures — by 9 to 10 months; progression is slower than GM2 but equally fatal. The same GLB1 variant occurs in the Siamese, the breed used in the Korat's foundation.
Ask to see: Korat GM1 gangliosidosis DNA test on both parents
UC Davis VGL — Korat GM1 Gangliosidosis (https://vgl.ucdavis.edu/test/korat-gm1)