This is important because it identifies hereditary diseases in the cats’ bloodlines, screens for breed-specific predispositions and helps both the Breeder and their Veterinarian create proactive, customized healthcare plans. It will provide clarity on the cat’s origin and lineage along with physical traits.

The main reasons to DNA test include:

• Preventative Health Insights: DNA tests screen for dozens of genetic markers related to inherited diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and polycystic kidney disease (PKD). This means that most Breeders will not breed from these type of bloodlines as they can be passed on generations by generation.

• Trait and Compatibility Tracking: These tests can determine your cat's blood type, uncover hidden genetic diversity and predict physical traits like coat colour, length, what colours a cat can carry, whether it is a ‘Variant’ etc.

• Assistance for Breeders: Breeders use DNA testing to avoid inbreeding and eradicate recessive genetic conditions from future generations thereby breeding healthier kittens.

Some of the main genetic diseases of the Siamese breed are:

GANGLIOSIDOSIS. This is an inherited, fatal genetic disease in cats that occurs when a missing enzyme stops the cat's cells from breaking down certain fatty substances. These fats build up inside nerve cells in the brain, leading to progressive neurological damage, loss of movement, and early death.

HEREDITARY RETINAL DEGENERATION PRA (CEP290). This is a genetic eye disease in cats where the light-sensing cells at the back of the eye slowly die off. This painless, incurable condition is inherited from the cat's parents and eventually leads to total blindness.

MUCOPOLYSACCHARIDOSIS (Type VI): This refers to a rare, inherited genetic disease that causes progressive vision loss and physical deformities.

NIEMANN-PICK DISEASE – SPHINGOMYELINOSIS: NIEMANN-PICK DISEASE (specifically Sphingomyelinase deficiency or type A) is a rare, inherited genetic condition in cats. It is a metabolic ‘garbage disposal’ issue where the cat's body lacks the enzyme needed to break down a specific type of fat (sphingomyelin), causing dangerous build ups in their brain, nerves, liver, and spleen.

POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE (PKD) is an inherited condition in cats where fluid-filled sacs, called cysts, slowly form and grow inside the kidneys. Present from birth, these cysts enlarge over time, gradually destroying healthy kidney tissue and eventually leading to kidney failure.