Health, Testing
and Transparency.
Sphynx genetic health testing — every result documented, every result clear.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)
Annual HCM echocardiogram by
veterinary cardiologist — All results HCM negative.
IconicSX performs annual cardiac echocardiograms on every breeding cat. Echocardiography measures heart wall thickness, chamber dimensions, and blood flow — the only way to confirm a structurally healthy heart at the time of scanning.
We screen before breeding, not at kitten handover. All current echocardiogram results: normal.
We also contribute cardiac data and samples to ongoing feline health research.
DNA.
Genetic screening across 70+
inherited conditions — all clear.
All our breeding cats undergo extensive DNA testing in worldwide recognised and accredited laboratories in China, USA, Austria, UK, and Russia. Our breeding cats are genetically screened for more than 70 known inherited variants. All current results are clear for the specific disease-associated variants included in the testing panels.
Conditions tested include:
ALMS1 c.7384G>C (HCM-associated VUS) — Clear*
*A clear ALMS1 result does not rule out HCM and does not replace echocardiographic screening.
CMS (Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome) — Clear.
SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) — Clear.
GSD4 (Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV) — Clear.
PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) — Clear.
PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) — Clear.
PK-Def (Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency) — Clear.
HR (Hairlessness gene) — Tested.
BHK — Clear.
No carriers or affected copies. Every breeding cat at IconicSX holds clear results across all tested conditions. Full documentation is available to kitten families.
At IconicSX, we believe responsible breeding is not just about conducting tests but about openly sharing the results. Transparency and trust are key, and we are proud to document clear results for the harmful genetic variants currently included in our screening panels.
Our cats are genetically tested for the genetic mutations, which may lead to:
Blood Disorders
Endocrine Disorders
Immunologic Disorders
Metabolic Disorders
Muscular Disorders
Cardiac Disorders, Including HCM
Ocular Disorders
Neurologic Disorders
Neuromuscular Disorders
Renal Disorders
Including PKD
Skeletal Disorders
DBE-Celestial Genetic Status
All IconicSX cats carrying the DBE-Celestial trait have been genetically tested and confirmed as heterozygous through Petgeno laboratory (China). DBE-CEL is a naturally occurring dominant PAX3 variant. In the heterozygous cats studied to date, published research has not found an association with deafness. Our breeding programme works exclusively with heterozygous carriers, maintaining full genetic transparency and sharing all laboratory certificates with adopting families.
Key Feline Health Concerns
Infectious disease screening — all negative.
These tests are repeated at appropriate intervals — not performed once and assumed permanent. Screening is part of our ongoing health monitoring, not a one-time compliance exercise.
FIV / FeLV
Negative
Feline Coronavirus (FCoV)
Negative
Toxoplasmosis
Negative
Hearing.
BAER hearing test — all cats and kittens confirmed bilateral hearing.
IconicSX is one of very few Sphynx catteries in the UK performing BAER testing. This matters particularly for DBE (Dominant Blue Eye) and Odd-Eyed lines, where understanding auditory status is not optional — it is a requirement for responsible genetic planning. We test breeding cats and kittens. All results to date confirm normal bilateral hearing.
The Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) test objectively assesses auditory function in each ear and can identify unilateral or bilateral hearing impairment. BAER establishes hearing status but does not, by itself, determine whether the underlying cause is inherited or acquired.
URI, Parasites & Immunity.
PCR screening for upper respiratory pathogens (calicivirus, herpesvirus, chlamydia) and routine faecal parasitology are performed on all cats. Vaccination protocols follow veterinary guidance and are maintained throughout each cat’s breeding life.
Why testing depth matters?
Meaningful health screening is defined not simply by the number of tests performed, but by their relevance, frequency and documentation.
For Sphynx, genetic screening should complement — not replace — regular echocardiographic assessment for HCM. Cardiac screening is performed before breeding and repeated annually, while genetic testing is used to identify known inherited variants for which validated testing is available.
At IconicSX, our programme combines extensive genetic screening, annual cardiologist-performed echocardiography, BAER hearing assessment, infectious-disease monitoring and documented laboratory results. We believe responsible breeding requires evidence that can be reviewed and verified, rather than health claims based on a single test or a single point in time.
Accreditations that verify these standards.
TICA Outstanding Cattery certification requires annual veterinary inspection of the cattery, its cats, and its breeding practices. IconicSX is the only Sphynx cattery in the UK holding this status following a completed inspection process.
GCCF Approved Breeder status is subject to inspection every three years by a GCCF Appointed Assessor, who reviews health documentation, breeding records, and cat living conditions.
These are not self-awarded titles. They are externally verified, regularly re-assessed, and require documented evidence — not declarations.