Maine Coons are known as a domestic breed among the cats. What separates them from the other breeds is their intelligence, their friendliness, and their calm nature. Main Coons are known to have a record of being the cat with the most height in the entire U.S. This breed is commonly known as the most sturdy working breed. This is produced by breeding in the New England.
Nowadays, we see humans meddling in the natural processes. For instance, experimenting with the gene pools of the purebred animals. This had resulted in the tragic deaths of many, especially the cats. To enhance the breed, a scientist has ended up killing a number of them. Some of these issues are what we are aware today as “hereditary,” or through DNA they pass on in generations (Breed, 2017).
The fundamental reasons for the tragic deaths of the maine coons are their health problems which are very severe. Following are the main disorders from which Maine Coons suffer. These disorders sometimes become the cause of their sudden death.
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
They have some genetic disorders which lead to their tragic death. It is susceptible to the number of diseases. Coronary illness is distinctive in Maine coons. The most widely recognized type of coronary disease, cardiomyopathy, does not relate to the living style. Cardiomyopathy is a natural infection. It seems that it occurs due to the strong hereditary segments. It is most normal in Maine Coons and Persian Cats. However, any cat can build up this severe problem.
Cardiomyopathy causes the improper growing of muscles of the heart, and it leads to the compromising of cardiovascular functioning. Its symptoms may first be felt at any age ranging from 6 months upward. Cardiomyopathy frequently strikes young, apparently healthy Maine Coons. What’s more, shockingly, the primary, indication is regularly tragic death. (Other conceivable manifestations incorporate breathing troubles or blood clusters going into the legs.
Symptoms:
Indications might be nonexistent, however, can include:
- Anorexia
- Torpidity
- Fast, shallow breathing
- severe cough
- Frequent Blacking out
- paralysis of the rear legs
(HQ, McCracken, and Lutz, 2017).
Methods to control HCM:
To prevent the tragic deaths of the Maine Coons, a plan was formulated for the complete wipe out of HCM from Maine coons in the UK. A plan together by the “Feline Advisory Bureau” and the Society of Veterinary Cardiology in the UK. This procedure utilizes both the hereditary test and yearly examinations including an ultrasound of the heart for every single breeding animal. Cats that have indications of HCM distinguished on examination or that may be having a single or duplicate of the mutant “MYBPC3 gene”. These should be avoided from use for breeding purposes (Ufaw.org.uk, 2017).
Spinal Muscular Atrophy:
Another major reason of the tragic death of the Maine Coons is the disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy. In Maine Coons Spinal muscular atrophy is a genetic disorder of Maine Coon cats. The death of the spinal cord neurons causes this neurodegenerative disease that activates skeletal muscles of the trunk and limbs. Muscle weakness and atrophy Loss of neurons in the first few months of life that first become apparent at 3-4 months of age then lead to the death of Maine Coons if they are not cured at an early stage. Affected kittens or cats develop and build up an odd walk with an influence of the rump. This results in their extreme weakness that they are usually too weak to jump and they stand with the help of the hawks that are nearly touching. By 5-6 months of age, the severe shortcoming in the hindquarters start becoming prominent, and their muscle fat is decreased. Affected cats are not in pain, and influenced cats are not in agony and most live easily in an indoor environment for some time that is why their death in this phase is considered tragic (Langfordvets.co.uk, 2017).
An Affected spinal substantial decay hereditary test outcome implies that the feline has two duplicates of the spinal active decline transformation. The Maine Coon will have high spinal degeneration (Langfordvets.co.uk, 2017).
Precautionary measures and tests:
To keep your cats safe from such disease breeders have been given an opportunity for the genetic test. Mostly, homozygous influenced cats are not recommended for the purpose of breeding, since they are sure to pass on the genetic transformation. There is a 25% likelihood of two transporters (heterozygous) cats will give birth to influenced (homozygous) cats. Cats used to breed carriers, and ordinary cats will deliver around half typical and half carrier kittens. This technique can be utilized as a feature of a reproducing system to step by step dispose of the flawed genes from the influenced populaces of Cats (Langfordvets.co.uk, 2017).
Hip Dysplasia
One of the most serious causes of the sudden deaths in Maine Coons is Hip dysplasia. The disorder of hip dysplasia, we can say is an uncertain position in felines of the hip joint. Typically removal of a joint happens when the femur does not appropriately fit in the hip joint. With time this disorder leads to the deformations and the swelling joints of the bone. In time the feline will be actually in a considerable measure of agony. The torment will debilitate the feline to perform regular exercises, for example, running or bouncing. An early location of “hip dysplasia” side effects can keep a significant amount of these complexities (VetInfo, 2017).
Leading causes of the disease:
Hip dysplasia is mainly newly discovered disorders that can influence any cat, but mostly it affects the Maine Coons. This disease occurs in Cats beyond two years old. Little cats are less inclined to develop this illness as they do not have full-fledged hip bones. The giant cat breeds having full bone structure might be more powerless to the disorder because their bones are more major. Muscles and tendons do not entirely protect them as compared to cast with small bones. And Maine Coons are famous for their more massive structure and sizes, so there is likely a more chance of this disease in them.
The reason for the distortion might be hereditary. However, a large amount of weight on the hip joint may likewise become a cause for the dislocation (VetInfo, 2017).
Preventions:
Hip dysplasia cannot be easily cured with drugs. Torment solution will be directed to make the cat comfortable and relaxed. Anti-inflammatory, the calming solution may likewise be endorsed; the counter-inflammatory might include medicines that are non-steroidal or having steroids. The torment might be sporadic. In this way, the vet may suspend the drug usage for short time frames. Periodical examinations, which are fundamental in observing the feline’s condition and controlling an ideal care. Glucosamine supplements may be helpful and beneficial in repairing the joint and may decrease the indications in time.
In most of the cases, surgery will be essential to repair bone’s deformation and also, to fit exactly the femur bone into the hip joint.
On the off chance that the Maine Coon is overweight, then this thing can exasperate the condition of the disorder. Hence, we can assume that a strict health improvement plan ought to be taken after to eliminate the weight on the hip joints.
Exercise, in this case, is not suggested. But, to maintain a strategic distance from an inactive way of life, little effect activities might be done and experiences. The Maine Coons may perform practical exercises like swimming or moderate walking sessions.
In such circumstances vet frequently recommends delicate, informal beds and other bedding sources for the infected Maine Coons which provide them support and help to give relief to the hip joints to some extent (VetInfo, 2017).
Polycystic Kidney Disease:
PKD is a genetic and gradually dynamic infection that causes little pimples to frame on the cat’s kidneys. The pimples are already present during their birth and, over feline’s life, develop in size, supplanting his normal kidney tissue. The kidneys extend and renal capacity decreases. Unfortunately, if the infection advances sufficiently far in Maine Coon, feline will create constant renal disappointment.
The sickness is irreversible, but since it develops so gradually, your feline may never have any manifestations except the death which will be sudden for you. If symptoms start appearing, they will, for the most part, happen at around seven years old. Side effects include:
- Torpidity/discouragement
- Expanded pee
- Expanded thirst
- Weight reduction
- Diminished hunger
- Regurgitating
Treatment:
There is no cure for Maine Coons who aren’t hinting at clinical symptoms of the disease. For the cats who are showing the effects apparently, the treatment may comprise of a prohibitive eating routine, subcutaneous liquids, pharmaceutical and hormone treatment.
References
- HQ, C., McCracken, S. and Lutz, A. (2017). What Causes Sudden Death in Otherwise Healthy Young Cats? | Catster. [online] Catster. Available at: http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-health-sudden-death-cause [Accessed 6 Jan. 2017].
- Breed, N. (2017). A Word About Maine Coon Health. [online] Cumbrescoons.com. Available at: http://cumbrescoons.com/health.html [Accessed 5 Jan. 2017].
