The Maine Coon Breed

As part as purchasing any kitten it is important to know any common genetic or other health issue which can impact the breed, here at Boshi Maine Coons we aim to give as much information to new owners. We aim through genetic testing to reduce or eliminate the chance of any of our kittens being impacted by them. We watch and pay close attention to our kittens and would not sell an unhealthy kitten.

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We have an excellent vet with many decades of cat care especially with Maine Coons and this is information shared with us Something which can come up during the kittens health check at 8 and 12 weeks is a very low grade heart murmur, it takes a special ear to hear these, a noisy room, kitten purring can make hearing them difficult. They are generally nothing to worry about and are caused by the rapid growth and changes in the kitten. They would normally out grow them by 6 months but may take up to 12 months.

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Common hereditary health problems in Maine Coons are:

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1. Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

2. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)

3. Hip dysplasia

4. Stomatitis

5. Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

6. Entropion

 

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA)

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SMA is caused by a recessive gene. It entails the loss of nerves (spinal cord neurons) that control a cat’s limbs. 

Although not fatal and unbearably painful, spinal muscular atrophy affects the quality of a Maine Coon’s life. Cats with this disease display the following symptoms during kittenhood (3–4 months after birth):

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• Visible loss of muscle mass in hind legs

• Wobbly walk

• Strange posture 

• Inability to jump

• Muscular tremors and contractions

• Entropian

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You can’t slow down the progression of this disease, but you can give your gentle giant a good life with proper care and nourishment. Kitties with SMA should live indoors to minimise the risk of injuries. Maine Coon parents should also keep food, water, and favourite toys within their furry friend’s immediate reach.

 

 

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

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Related terms: hypertrophic heart disease, heart failure

Outline: About 30% of Maine coon cats have a genetic mutation that makes it likely that they will develop hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – thickening of the muscle walls of the heart – and, in time, this condition leads to heart failure and/or other complications such as increased risk of the blockage of major blood vessels by blood clots. Heart failure causes increasing discomfort and malaise which can occur over a prolonged period and blockage of blood vessels causes severe pain. Animals with the genetic mutation can be detected before breeding age using a specific genetic test and ultrasound scanning of the heart, it is thought that the disease could be rapidly eliminated by not breeding from affected animals.

 

Hip dysplasia

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Hip dysplasia is an orthopaedic condition caused by abnormal hip joint development. It usually leads to the dislocation of the hip bone. If noticed and treated on time, the condition is not debilitating, and your kitty could make a full recovery. During the early stages, the symptoms are subtle and hard to spot, so keep an eye out for: 

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• Joint laxity

• Hip joint pain

• Inability to jump or climb

• Reluctance to get up from a sitting position

• Reduced thigh muscle mass in the hind legs and increased shoulder mass (due to the uneven weight distribution)

• Swaying walk

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If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet for a complete examination and radiographs to get an accurate diagnosis. Depending on the severity of the disease, treatments can vary from pain meds to joint surgery. Weight maintenance is essential for pain relief. 

Large purebred felines, such as Maine Coons and Himalayans, are more prone to developing hip dysplasia than other cats. Although this is a familial disease, kitties can also get it due to obesity. 

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Stomatitis

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Stomatitis causes painful, widespread oral inflammation in Maine Coons. It can affect felines at any life stage, and the common culprits are:

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• Viruses

• Inflammatory conditions

• Dental issues (typically periodontal disease)

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Cats with stomatitis tend to show the following symptoms: 

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• Excessive drooling

• Loss of appetite and sudden weight loss

• Bad breath

• Dropping and avoiding food

• Matted and messy coat

• Howling while eating

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Vets can diagnose stomatitis with an X-ray, bloodwork, or oral cavity examination. Take your cat for a check-up as soon as you notice the symptoms, as other diseases (leukaemia, kidney disease, immunodeficiency, etc.) can entail similar symptoms. 

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The goal is to reduce inflammation, but the treatment can be long because there are no efficient meds. Cold laser therapy and food that promotes dental health (e.g. meat and fish) are the best methods to help your kitty get better. 

If the disease is persistent, tooth extraction might be necessary. In advanced stages, stomatitis can lead to heart valve and kidney health conditions. 

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Polycystic kidney disease (PKD)

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PKD is a hereditary disease that causes cysts (small pockets of fluid) to form in Maine Coons’ kidneys. The cysts start appearing in the earliest stages of kittenhood and are barely visible at first. As your kitty grows, the cysts grow as well, potentially resulting in kidney failure. 

Whether and how fast the cysts grow varies from one feline to another and is difficult to predict. Typically, this process takes a long time, and symptoms aren’t visible until later in life (around seven years of age). They include:

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• Loss of appetite

• Weight loss

• Lethargy

• Increased thirst

• Dry heaving and vomiting 

• Frequent urination

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The following methods help in setting the diagnosis:

• Medical history and genetic testing

• Blood and urine tests

• Ultrasound of the kidneys

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To prevent or treat the disease, ensure that your Maine Coon has a balanced diet low in sodium and fat, stays hydrated, and gets routine check-ups and meds (if needed). You’ll lower the risk of PKD by keeping their blood pressure and blood sugar in check. Your feline friend should maintain normal weight and exercise regularly to achieve this.

Lifestyle-related Maine Coon diseases 

 

Entropion

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Entropion is an ocular condition frequently identified in most companion animals. It is a rolling-in of the eyelids, and can involve the upper or lower eyelids, and in some cases, both. It can be unilateral (only one eye involved) or bilateral (both eyes involved). Entropion causes discomfort due to the hair and/or lashes rubbing on the cornea. Corneal ulcerations, perforations, and scarring can occur.

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Entropion is also seen commonly in Maine Coon Cats. Breed-related entropion is caused by a conformation abnormality of the eyelid, causing contraction of the eyelid muscle and rolling in. The exact mode of inheritance of entropion is not known at this time.

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Spastic entropion can be associated with ocular discomfort, causing contraction and rolling-in due to pain from corneal ulcers, foreign bodies, etc. Spastic entropion can often be differentiated from conformational entropion through the application of topical anesthetics. When the discomfort is alleviated, the lid relaxes.

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Entropion is also seen secondary to inflammatory or age-related changes that cause enophthalmos. Enophthalmos occurs when the globe sits further back in the orbit than normally. This allows the lids to roll in toward the globe.

Cicatricial entropion is seen less commonly and is due to scarring of the eyelids or conjunctiva, causing contraction of the eye lids toward the globe.

How is Entropion diagnosed?

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Entropion is usually easily diagnosed through a thorough ocular examination when chronic discomfort, inflammation, or ulceration is observed.

How is it treated?

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In young animals, temporary tacking of the eyelids may allow the animal to “outgrow” the entropion as the anatomy of the head matures. The tacking decreases the discomfort and resulting spastic component. Prior to surgical correction, the health of the cornea, and increased comfort can be obtained with the use of lubricant.

Recently, collagen or Hyaluronic acid compounds have been used as fillers to “puff out” the entropic eyelids.

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Other Low level Illness

 

If you don’t provide proper nutrition and exercise, your Maine Coon could develop:

 

Obesity

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Maine Coon parents tend to overfeed their kitties, which inevitably leads to gaining weight. A diet high in calories and carbs is wrong for any kitty, including Maine Coon, despite their size and ferocious appetite because felines cannot process carbs efficiently and should get their energy from animal protein

 

Diabetes

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Obesity can lead to insulin resistance, which is often followed by diabetes. Symptoms include frequent urination, excessive thirst, unexpected weight loss, and increased appetite. Lower the risk by feeding your cat appropriate portions of high-quality lean meats

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Dental disease

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Poor oral hygiene and unhealthy eating habits lead to dental problems, such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth resorption. The best indicators are bad breath and pain. Prevention includes regular teeth brushing (2–4 times a week), a protein-based diet without sugar, artificial colours, and meat derivatives

 

A few words about Polydactyl genetics in Maine Coon cats…

Polydactyl is a condition in animals where more than the common number of fingers and/or toes are present. Even though it is a dominant trait for the Maine Coon to be born with extra toes on one or more of their paws, breeders have managed to eliminate the majority of polydactyl paws. Polydactylism only affects the physique of the paw. With the right care and maintenance, these cats enjoy a long, happy, and healthy life.

 

With certain cat clubs Polydactyl is not classed as a Maine Coon, this is also the same with the blue eyes, this eye colour on any coat type apart from pure white would also not be classed as a Maine Coon. We do not have any in our current Queens or Studs.