Anfisa Onix Gloria
Anfisa, who we lovingly called Fisha, became a part of our family in March 2006. She was our first Siberian and potential queen. She appeared to be everything that you would want in a Sib. She was beautiful, brave, loving and loyal. Unfortunately what we didn’t know was that she also had HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyapathy). HCM is a genetic heart problem. She passed away at 16 months old. Even though she was only with us for a short time, she was a beloved member of our family and she taught me a lot about Siberians. Through her life and death, she has touched many people.
When I got Fisha, I didn’t know much about HCM. After she passed away, I had to find out more about this terrible genetic problem. I joined Siberian Research, Inc, started talking with other breeders, looking at pawpeds, studying pedigree’s and the HCM maps. I found out that several other Sibs have been lost to HCM. Some breeders dismiss the problem and continue to breed cats that have produced HCM offspring. Thankfully Fisha did not have any kittens.
I am currently staying as far away from any known HCM and PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) pedigrees as possible. I am also having a Board Certified Cardiologist perform echocardiograms on all of my cats starting at 1 year old.
If you would like to know more about Fisha’s case, please e-mail me.
If you are able to donate to a current Siberian HCM prodject, that Dr. Meurs at WSU is working on, please visit Siberian Research Funding.
Fisha, one months before she passed away. She was a beautiful girl.
