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Lethargy, weight loss, inappetance and weakness
are typical signs of PK deficiency in felines. The breeds most affect
are the abyssinians, Somalis and domestic short hair. It is carried
on an autosomal recessive gene. Most carriers have one normal gene
and one mutated gene. not only anemic and symptom showing cats are
diagnosed with PK deficiency, but also some seemingly normal cats have
also been diagnosed. There does not seem to be correlation with the
problem in cats and their age. Cats can also show signs of spleen
problems just as in humans. There abdomen becomes noticeably larger.
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Dogs are also susceptible to this problem.
However, in dogs the range of the breeds most affected is much larger then
in cats. The breeds most likely are the Basenji, Beagle, Dachshund,
Eskimo, West Highland White Terriers, but the Chihuahua and the Cairn terrier
are also suspects. Just as in cats and in humans, dogs are autosomal recessive
to deficiency of pyruvate kinase. This means that a carrier of the
gene who lives without signs can lead a perfectly normal life.
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Differences in the effects of the deficiency between
cats and dogs are very significant however alike it may seem. In
cats, treatment is available and they may lead normal lives because there
problems are intermittent. Many dogs that have this form of anemia
usually only have a life span of about 4 years. A number of other
diseases are associated with the deficiency in dogs such as myelofibrosis.
When this occurs, there is a build up of fibrous scar tissue in the bone
marrow. This causes misshapen red blood cells which can lead to anemia.
These problems usually also cause the swelling of the abdomen and eventually
liver failure. Liver failure is the leading cause of death due to
pyruvate deficiency. A heart murmur in some cases may also be detected
along with changes in bone density when radiographs are taken.
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