Bengal Health
At Adelhills we have a wonderful working relationship with our vet. Our health setup and kitten care programme are tailor-made to give every kitten the best start in life.
Why Health Testing Matters
Our queens naturally mother their litters fully, ensuring kittens benefit from vital maternal antibodies. All of our breeding lines are PKD, PRA, FiV, FeLV, and HCM tested, and results are available to kitten buyers upon request.
Every kitten departs with free 6-week PetPlan insurance and is backed by our 5-year hereditary genetic guarantee, giving you peace of mind from day one.
We commence deworming of our kittens while still in embryo, then monthly until 6 months of age, and every 3 months for life. Frontline parasite prevention begins from 12 weeks of age and continues monthly.
F3 Vaccination
The F3 vaccination covers three feline viruses. The initial vaccination is given at 8 weeks of age or older, with boosters at 2–4 week intervals, then annually thereafter. All kittens are fully vaccinated before leaving Adelhills.
Vet Health Checks & Desexing
Comprehensive vet health checks examine bite, eyes, ears, spine, joints, heart, and lungs. Kittens are desexed at 11 weeks of age, with the cost included in our pricing. Every kitten is thoroughly examined before departure.
Common Health Tests Explained
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
HCMHCM results in a reduction of chamber volume in the heart, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively. There is no complete DNA test available for Bengals as Bengal HCM is polygenic, so ultrasound screenings are necessary to detect it. At Adelhills, we test our breeding cats around 1 year of age, then biannually thereafter.
Polygenic (multiple genes involved)
Echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart) performed by a veterinary cardiologist. First screening around age 1, then biannually for breeding cats.
HCM screening is critical for all breeding cats. Regular echocardiograms can detect early signs of heart changes before clinical symptoms appear. Cats showing signs of HCM should be immediately removed from breeding programmes. All Adelhills breeding cats are HCM screened.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy - Bengal
PRA-bPRA-b is a hereditary eye condition specific to Bengal cats that causes progressive degeneration of the retina, ultimately leading to blindness. The condition typically manifests between 1 and 2 years of age and progresses over time. It is caused by a recessive mutation in the Bengal population.
Autosomal recessive
DNA test (cheek swab or blood sample)
DNA testing can identify cats that are clear (N/N), carriers (N/PRA-b), or affected (PRA-b/PRA-b). Carriers show no symptoms but can produce affected offspring if bred with another carrier. All Adelhills breeding cats are PRA tested, and we never breed two carriers together.
Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency
PK-DefPK-Def is an inherited condition that affects red blood cells. Cats with PK-Def lack sufficient pyruvate kinase enzyme, which is essential for red blood cell energy metabolism. This leads to intermittent haemolytic anaemia, where red blood cells are destroyed faster than they can be replaced, causing episodes of anaemia, lethargy, and weakness.
Autosomal recessive
DNA test (cheek swab or blood sample)
Like PRA-b, PK-Def can be eliminated through responsible breeding. Clear cats (N/N) have no risk. Carriers (N/PK-Def) are healthy but should only be bred to clear cats. Affected cats (PK-Def/PK-Def) may experience intermittent anaemia episodes.
Polycystic Kidney Disease
PKDPKD is a genetic condition that causes fluid-filled cysts to develop in the kidneys. These cysts grow over time, gradually replacing normal kidney tissue and leading to kidney failure. While most commonly associated with Persian breeds, the PKD1 mutation can occur in other breeds including Bengals.
Autosomal dominant
DNA test (cheek swab or blood sample) and/or renal ultrasound
Unlike the recessive conditions above, PKD is dominant -- meaning a cat with even one copy of the mutated gene will develop the disease. This makes it essential to test and only breed PKD-negative cats. All Adelhills breeding cats are PKD tested to ensure clear lines.
What Adelhills Provides
All breeding lines are PKD, PRA, FiV, FeLV, and HCM tested with results available upon request.
HCM ultrasound screenings are performed around age 1, then biannually for all breeding cats.
Every kitten comes with a 5-year hereditary genetic guarantee for your peace of mind.
F3 vaccinations, deworming, Frontline, and a full vet health check are completed before departure.
Kittens are desexed at 11 weeks of age, with the cost included in our pricing.
Free 6-week PetPlan insurance is provided upon kitten departure, plus ongoing support and advice.