Large scale research has shown that all cats produce some feline allergen (Fel-d1). Members of Siberian Research submitted data from hundreds of adult Siberians. The data on adult breeding Siberians was compiled on November, 2009. All testing was performed by Indoor Biotechnologies laboratory in Virginia.
Saliva tests were performed by inducing salivation using a bitter agent and collecting the saliva. Several tests were run on each cat to determine the accuracy of the tests and effect of different salivants.
Metranitazole (Flagil) and Sulfa produced the most consistent results in the study, but these results were still very inconsistent. The rate of fully incorrect tests with these materials was over 20% in adult cats, and 40% in kittens under the age of nine months.
These Old-Style tests should never be used in kittens. A minimum of three tests must be perfomed for each cat for the results to be considered reasonably accurate in adult cats.
A more advanced and accurate method of testing that can also be used for kittens is available through KittenTesting.com
Results using Drontal and Citric Acid to induce saliva were highly irregular and discarded from the study. Studies by NIH have shown that citric acid alters the flow rates of enzymes and proteins in human saliva. KittenTesting.com funded studies using citric acid with Siberians, and found it directly interfered with Fel d1 tests. Citric Acid is one of the most common salivant for dog allergens, with some company selling pre-loaded swabs. Due to biological interactions, it not suitable for testing Fel d-1.
About 50% of Siberians were found to have lower Fel d1 levels than normal cats. Under 15% of Siberians produced very low levels of the allergen, and could safely be placed in homes with severe or dangerous reactions to cats. Low allergen matings produced more offspring with reduced lower levels of Fel-d1, though some kittens from most low-allergen matings still had normal levels of Fel d1.
Some isolated tests of Siberians show individual cats below 0.2 mcg or over 16 mcg. When these tests were repeated, they were always inconsistent and have been removed from the following tables.
More advanced testing has been created by Kitten Testing. They provide detailed reference charts and more accurate testing methods than were used for these studies. All allergen charts on the Kitten Testing website are protected by copyright. Commercial use is prohibited.
The Allergen Chart below was created by Kitten Testing {www.kittentesting.com}, and beginning in 2004, courtesy use was granted to Siberian Research and to breeders of Siberian cats.
Use of the terms “Very Low”, “Low”, “Medium”, and “High” to describe allergen levels are considered part of the copyrights and trademarks of Siberian Research.
Kitten Testing retains the right to remove all commercial use and rights to the allergen charts below if a pattern of commercial use or copyright violation occurs.
Siberian Catteries may utilize either the Saliva or Fur test levels for cattery use, providing a full active link with the information is provided. All unauthorized use prohibited. The following statement must accompany any use of the charts below.
"The Allergen Chart below is copyrighted and has been provided courtesy of Kitten Testing and Siberian Research. See www.kittentesting.com - www.siberianresearch.com for more details. Unauthorized use prohibited.
Allergen Levels in Mature Breeding Siberians. © 2004.
Saliva test ranges in Siberians: 0.08 mcg - 32 mcg
Very low saliva levels: 0.2 mcg - 1.0 mcg
Low saliva allergen level: 1.0 mcg - 2.0 mcg
Med. saliva allergen level: 2.0 mcg - 4.0 mcg
High saliva allergen level: 4.0 mcg - 16 mcg
Fur test ranges in Siberians: 5 mcg - 1300 mcg
Very low fur levels: 10 mcg - 50 mcg
Low fur allergen levels: 50 mcg - 100 mcg
Med. fur allergen level: 100 mcg - 200 mcg
High fur allergen levels 200 mcg - 600 mcg
© 2004. Siberian Research grants limited rights of reproduction and dissemination of the information on this site - except where specifically noted otherwise. We require attribution on all copied, reproduced, or disseminated materials as follows:
Information was provided by Siberian Research.