Health Testing for British Shorthair Cats

Health testing is the foundation of responsible British Shorthair breeding. At Grand Liberty Cattery we go far beyond basic veterinary checks to protect the long-term health of our cats and the kittens we place in new homes.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

HCM is the most common heart disease in cats and a known issue in the British Shorthair breed. It causes the heart muscle to thicken, which can lead to heart failure or sudden death. Because the condition can develop at any age, we require annual echocardiogram screenings for all our breeding cats, performed by board-certified veterinary cardiologists. Only cats with clear heart scans are used in our breeding program. This significantly reduces the risk of passing on a predisposition to HCM.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

PKD is a genetic condition that causes fluid-filled cysts to form in the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure. Fortunately, it can be reliably detected with a simple DNA test. Every breeding cat at Grand Liberty is DNA tested for the PKD1 mutation. All kittens are born PKD-negative by parentage. This eliminates one of the most serious hereditary risks in the breed.

Blood Type Compatibility

British Shorthairs can have blood type A, B, or the rare AB. Incompatible blood types between queen and tom can cause Neonatal Isoerythrolysis (NI) in kittens — a condition where the mother's antibodies attack the kittens' red blood cells shortly after birth. We genetically test all our breeders for blood type and only pair compatible cats. This protocol ensures every litter is born healthy and strong.

Additional Health Protocols

All our breeding cats are also tested for: - FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) - FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) - Regular full blood panels and urinalysis Kittens receive complete vaccinations, deworming, and microchipping before leaving the cattery. Every kitten comes with a 5-year genetic health guarantee.

What This Means for You

When you purchase a kitten from Grand Liberty, you receive full documentation of the parents' health screenings, including HCM ultrasound reports and DNA test results. We are transparent about every test and only breed from cats that meet our strict standards. Responsible health testing is not optional for us. It is the minimum standard we set for every cat that carries the Grand Liberty name. If you have questions about our health testing protocols or would like to see the latest results for our current breeding cats, please contact us directly. We are happy to share documentation and explain our process in detail.