Health and genetics

Maine Coons, as any other breed, suffer of some genetic and viral diseases that can compromise health and, sometimes, survival.
For this reason, the prevention done by the breeder is extremely important because they can avoid defects transmission by testing in advance potential parents. In fact, isolating such deficiencies requires to individuate and to neuter the positive carriers.
Unfortunately, any national or international rule exists forcing the breeders to test their cats. Health policies only depend on the etic responsability of each of them.

In the scope of a breeding program primarily devoted to the health of the cats, Morgan’s Place periodically checks his studs and queens for HCM, PKD and FIV/FELV.

HCM

The hyper cardiomiopaty patology involves the cardiac muscle causing its ipertrophy or dilatation.

Kleo & HCM test

A HCM cat could appear completely healthy for a long time, and suddenly die due to a thrombosis.

See also this reference site for HCM

PKD

PKD is a hereditary kidney disorder, which implicates that there are already cysts present at birth and usually in both kidneys. As the animal matures these cavities will become larger (even larger than 2 cm).
When the cysts occupy too much room in the kidney, normal kidney tissue is forced out and the kidneys will not be able to function normally and the cat will fall ill. The first symptoms of disease usually occur between the age of 3 and 10 years, but sometimes it is seen at a much younger age. Once kidney failure has occurred, it is incurable altought with an adapted treatment the cat can still reach a high age.

See also here about PKD

The immunodeficiency virus: FIV e FeLV

The FIV and FeLV deseases generate from a retrovirus whose transmission change from one cat to another.

FIV-FeLV viruses are highly transmissible. Thus, we think that a random check on one of our cats in the context of each litter birth and at least once a year, is a sufficient guarantee to verify the immunity of our cattery.

The FeLV is transmitted by means of matings, licking and sharing of litter box. The FIV is transmitted primarily via bites.

Test FIV/FELV Negative

Both the patologies presents general symtoms as weight loss, fever, general decline and appetite loss, together with a number of local infections.
An effective terapy doesn’t exist even if ones are available in order to afford the local infections. Ayway, the aim of these terapies is just to delay the death.
A vaccine is available for the FeLV but is it is effective only on FeLV-negative cats.

See also FIV and FeLV here

HD

We are planning to test our cats for the feline hip-displasia (HD). Kleopatra will be tested shortly, while the other cats need to grow a little bit more :)