HEALTH & ADVICE
HCM (Hypertrophic Cardio-Myopathy)
Due to increased concerns from prospective kitten purchasers and enquiries in general, we have decided to include some information about HCM (HypErtrophic Cardio-Myopathy) in cats and Maine Coons in general. HCM is not to be confused with HypOtrophic Cardio-Myopathy which is a totally different disease and is exceptionally rare in most circumstances
In simple terms, HCM is an inward thickening of the heart muscle caused by a mutated gene (MYBPC3) which in turn restricts the volume of the heart chamber and consequently further reduces the flow of blood that the heart can pump. It can in older cats be a secondary complication in some other Feline diseases most notably which is Hyper-Thyroidism (www.langfordvets.co.uk/pdf/HCM_statement) but is not currently known to be a cause of other diseases. Professor Leslie A. Lyons has written an extensive and fairly (Laymans) terms paper on HCM which can be found at the above link.
At present (in tested Maine Coons only by Langford Vets/University of Bristol) upto 43% of Main Coons tested have shown to be carrying the HCM (MYBPC3 gene only). The gene itself comes in 2 parts, a cat can be N/N negative/negative (or Homozygous normal) carrying no gene from either its 2 parents, N/P negative/positive (Heterozygous) means the cat carries 1 gene from its parents and MAY but is not guaranteed to develop HCM later in life, and P/P positive/positive (Homozygous mutant) means the cat carries 2 genes which means the cat will almost certainly develop HCM and probably in its younger years. However studies have also shown that HCM comes in 3 forms, mild, moderate and severe. Mild can go undetected and not affect the cat throughout its life, moderate will affect the cat and severe will almost certainly result in the loss of a cat. It should also be pointed out that even with ECG Echo-Cardiogram testing, the ECG is still too un-sensitive to detecting very mild HCM. IT SHOULD ALSO BE NOTED THAT MYBPC3 IS ONLY ONE OF MANY GENES THAT CAN CAUSE HCM AND IS NOT THE SOLE CAUSE.
HCM can occur at any age, but this depends on whether it carries no gene, one gene or 2 genes. (www.fabcats.org/hcm/index.html). Further extensive research on the subject can be found at www.dr-addie.com
White Cats and Hearing Related issues
Herediatary deafness is a condition which can be found in all white cats (including cats with white ears). It is believed to be a possible side effect of the 'W' gene (Dominant) which is responsible for the lack of pigment in the hair. White cats with any eye colour combination can be Deaf in either one or both ears, however the chance of deafness in copper eyed cats is smaller. On average 50 % of all white cats are born Deaf, however individual breeders can breed for several years and never breed a Deaf cat irrespective of eye colour. The cause of deafness is due to the damage or loss of sensory hairs within the ears (Maine Coon Book pg 86), colours (Maine Coon Book pg 100 - 107) and genetics (Maine Coon Book pg 108). A blue eyed white is more susceptible to deafness than any of the other eye colours by a ratio of 4 to 1 (Pawpeds 2011) and even a white cat with one blue eye is more susceptible to deafness on that side. However this is not always the case, as blue eyed white cats can still have perfect hearing.
The dominant white gene (episiotomoy can be found on both red and black based genes). Dominant white can mask all other colours (except true Albino). Some white kittens are born with a coloured tuft on their heads, which gradually disappears with age. These kittens usually have a much better chance of having full hearing. White spotted cats (gene s) can give the appearance of being a full white cat, or have a single spot on the coat, the gene itself is a semi dominant gene. It has been proven that white spotted cats have no direct link to the Deaf gene. All white kittens are born with blue eyes and their ears folded down. Their eye colour will change and fully develop over the following months. In cats the gene for white is carried on an auto some (chromosome other than the X and Y gene, except for Albino's). All white cats can mask a true coat colour irrespective of their eye colour. They can produce solid or dilute depending on their parents lines and who they are then actually mated to. Only whites can produce white kittens. Contrary to popular belief, whites do not help lighten the coats in other colours. If you breed a true Albino by accident, then you should 'NEVER' breed from that kitten.
Some white cats eye colour can change from one colour to another over the first several months of its life. If a white cat has access to the outside, then its ears should be treated with sunblock to give it protection due to the lack of pigmentation in the hairs, the same rule applies to cats with white ears. A Deaf white cat should 'NEVER' be raised on its own, it should always be raised with another companion cat to keep it company.
At present, research has shown that if a red cat is mated with a white cat, then it further reduces the chances of deafness in the offspring. If breeding or selling white cats (especially if they are to be used in a future breeding programme), it is strongly recommended that a BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) test is carried out.
Further information supporting the above can be can be found at:
messybeast.com
catplaza.org.uk
isu.edu/deafness/catbreeds.
Vaccinations
We extensively test and/or vaccinate all our cats against illnesses that affect all cat breeds and some specific to Maine Coons.
In recent years the issue of feline vaccinations has become a bone of contention for owners and breeders alike, do we - or don't we vaccinate? Do we vaccinate annually or biennually? Do we use medical vaccines or Holistic Vaccines? Extensive research has taken place in recent years and not all the results have been made common or public knowledge.
Firstly we would NEVER use or recommend Holistic Vaccinations on our kittens or cats and non of the main cat associations GCCF, FiFE or TICA will accept a kitten/cat in a show unless vaccinated with Medical Vaccinations only. There are arguements on both sides, but at present research shows that the safest route IS Medical Vaccinations.
However recent research HAS shown that if a kitten has it's dual vaccinations at 9/12 weeks old and a booster at 12 months old, then it can be upto 3 years before it requires its second booster, not every 12 months which we are led to believe at present. This is however for INDOOR cats only and NOT for cats that have free access to the outside. This is due to the amount of vaccine antibodies residing in the body. Humans get vaccinated about every 10 years (apart from Flu/Swine Flu/Pneumocococcal) so why should felines be any different. Pharmaceutical Companies would lose exceptionally large quantities of money if everybody suddenly stopped vaccinating their pets every year. Every Veterinary Practice makes profit on medications so again although the research and facts are out there in cyberspace, you have to look for it although you can PRESS your vet for the facts.
Now there are illnesses and diseases which DO require vaccines as there is no other known cure for them, however some of these are one off vaccinations and others DO require annual boosters no matter what. If your cat has contact with another cat not residing in your home then vaccinate ANNUALLY no matter what. Such diseases could be Feline Leukaemia, Feline Avian Flu H5N1 (www.dr-addie.com), Feline AIDS to name a few.
The Advisory Panel Report by the American Association of Feline Practicioners AAFC and the American Academy of Feline Medicines AAFM (1998 - amended 2000) recommended no more than 3 years between vaccinations for Feline Enteritis (cat flu) and no more than 3 years for Feline Calici Virus and Feline Herpes Virus - 1. This should then be assessed annually. The duration between vaccinations is a minimum not maximum time scale as determined by the 2002 report compiled by the Veterinary Products Committee Working Group - VPCWG on Feline/Canine Vaccinations. (www.fabcats.org/catgroup).
It is known to owners and breeders alike that occasionaly (albeit rarely) and usually only under the age of 6 months that kittens can have a reaction to a vaccination,
(SAR's - Suspected Adverse Reaction/s). This percentage at present is about 550 cases per annum of which only 39% are actual vaccine reactions which is about 230 cases per year. All cases should automatically be reported to SARSS - Suspected Adverse Reaction Surveillance Scheme by your vets, but not all do so you can notify SARSS yourself.
These reactions can be a simple swelling at the injection site to the more life threatening total lifelessness and inability to move eat or drink by itself thus requiring 24 nursing care for upto 48 hours or more.
As for Snoozicoonz, we triple vaccinate ALL our kittens and cats and they receive a booster at 12 months old, then at 36 months unless they are re-homed in between in which case we would administer boosters according to the new owners requirements. All of our Show Cats receive boosters and additional Feline Leukaemia Vaccinations every year whilst they are being shown, this is to maximise protection from cross infection in a multi cat environment and to reduce any risk of cross contamination when they are brought home. All of our show cats are then quarantined for 48 hrs after every show, more importantly the females and any newly introduced kittens/cats into our home are quarantined for 7 days to ensure there is no stress activated infection b eing introduced into our home.
We work extensively with our long term Veterinary Practice and constantly attend research events and conferences at the Royal Dick in Edinburgh, whilst carrying out extensive online research on a regular basis. We ensure at all times that our feline family remain healthy and illness free which is why they have regular vet checks. We are aware that a cats body can only take so much 'vaccine' at any one time and vaccinating a cat against 'everything' in a short space of time can overload its immunity system.
We do STRONGLY advise all our new kitten/cat slaves that if their cat is to have outdoor access which could result in contact with other cats/cat urine/deposits then they should maintain ANNUAL vaccinations and additionally vaccinate against Feline Leukaemia and Feline Aids.
General Health Tips for your kittens/cats.
INNOCULATIONS - maintain regular worming and flea treatment every month for kittens upto 6 months old and then every 3 months thereafter. All our kittens/cats are wormed with liquid Panacur (every 2 weeks for kittens up to 12 weeks) and Drontal Tablets (once yearlyfor cats over six months). They are flea treated with frontline, even though they are indoor cats, fleas can still be transferred on our clothes and shoes etc. For treating fleas in the home, we use Indorex or Acclaim on the furniture etc. We strongly recommend that you vaccinate your kitten against Leukaemia especially if it has access to the outdoors on a regular basis or can mix with other outdoor cats.
INSURANCE - we all hope that our pets will remain healthy and accident free, however sometimes things do go wrong. We provide all our kittens with 4 weeks free insurance through Petplan and would strongly recommend you fully insure them after the 4 weeks free period expires as the cost of veterinary treatment is constantly rising and can be very expensive.
NEUTERING - all our kittens are sold un-neutered, as per our kitten contract we advise they are neutered between 4-6 months of age (however your own vet may partake in the early neutering programme for younger kittens).
DIET- all our kittens/cats are raised on Royal Canin Maine Coon Kitten food as we feel it suits them best and as such they require no additional vitamins etc. Cheap supermarket food is not nutritionally balanced enough to fulfill all their needs, if you have an expensive cat then feed it decent food not cheap rubbish just to save your costs. If you change your cats food, do it gradually over about 10 days. Other recommended foods are James Wellbelloved, Science Plan and IAM's. Ensure they have fresh clean water daily to drink and avoid giving any form of milk as it can cause diarrhoea.
Your kitten may show no signs of ill health, but may become withdrawn and may hide and will even reject food. DO NOT give human medicine, but CONTACT YOUR VET IMMEDIATELY and under no circumstances force feed it food - it may need veterinary treatment which could cause it to vomit or choke. IF your cat suffers vomiting or diarrhoea, again contact your vet for advice. Do not be tempted to buy any medication from a supermarket, ONLY FROM A VET.
FIRST AID BOXES - are very useful and we advise that you keep one handy in the house at all times. Some contents are cotton wool balls, cotton buds for eyes and ears, a small bottle of antiseptic (surgical spirit) for cuts, antiseptic wipes, wormer, flea control, lint, roller bandage, latex gloves, roll of plaster, tweezers, scissors, foil blanket, ear drops, warm blanket and most especially a cat carrier. These are just some of the items that we keep at all times.
NEW HOMES - for kittens can be very distressing for them due to all the changes in their life, this can lead to small bouts of diarrhoea or even small infections brought on by stress, this is very common with young kittens. However nearly all cats carry various illnesses in their genes which never activate throughout their lives.......BUT can be actived if exposed to too much stress in a short period of time.
POISONS - cats can very easily be poisoned by numerous things in the home such as detergents and cleaning materials. Some plants are deadly to cats, such as LILLIES. Most good cat books will often list dangerous plants in the home. The Feline Advisory Bureau www.fabcats.org have an extensive list of different plants etc that are dangerous or toxic. Other poisons not commonly encountered are Frog/Toad Toxins excreted on their skins as a defence mechanism against predators.
