Pets play a very important role in a household. In fact, most pets are treated as family. The love they offer to the individuals as well as the families they live with is unconditional. That being said, if you have a pet, taking care of them becomes one of your top priorities. The health of your pet ultimately leaves a lasting impact on the overall mood in your home. When you choose to bring home a pet, one of the first things you need to do is select a species and breed. We personally prefer cats, as do millions of people all around the globe. One of the most popular breeds of cats is the Maine Coon Cat.
The Maine Coon Cat is one of the very few breeds that are native to North America. It is said to be from the Maine region and is well-known for its thick fur and raccoon-like bushy tail. Hence the name. These majestic and fluffy fur babies are often referred to as gentle giants. One of the reasons why these cats are so commonly chosen by people is their unique personality. Some even go to the lengths of saying that Maine Coon Cats are human-like. They are loyal, social, and jolly, and they are also very accepting of other pets like dogs.
While these amazing felines are devoted to making your day better, you need to make sure you take extra care of these creatures since there are a few health problems that these cats are more prone to. And knowing about these issues is key to caring for them properly. In this article, we have listed a few health issues experienced by Maine Coon Cats that you as a pet parent need to know about.
Hip dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common issues when it comes to Maine Coon Cats. As the name suggests, this illness is related to hip and hip movement. Hip dysplasia is a condition where there is a misalignment in the ball and socket joint of the hip. And since Maine Coon Cats are known to be larger in size when compared to other cat breeds, the chances of the extra body mass leading to hip dysplasia are more. Some of the symptoms of hip dysplasia in cats are limping, continuous licking near the hip area, reduced range of motion, and so on. Hip dysplasia is a genetic disease. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do to prevent this disease. The vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to help manage the condition. Cat wheelchairs are also an option to make life easier for cats with hip dysplasia.
Spinal muscular atrophy
Spinal muscular atrophy is another genetically inherited disease that is common in Maine Coon Cats. It causes the degeneration of motor neurons that are responsible for limb movements. Some of the most common symptoms of this disease include muscle tremors, muscle weakness, irregular gait, and loss of muscle mass in the hind legs. However, you should know that your Maine Coon Cat needs to inherit this disease from both parents for it to be a problem. Although this disease cannot be cured, you should take your Maine Coon Cat to a vet because there are a few medicines that may offer some comfort.
Feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
When your cat’s heart’s muscular wall starts to thicken, it is known as feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Due to this illness, the efficiency of the heart is reduced. While this disease is almost impossible to spot in the early stages, you may spot a few symptoms in the later stages. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, open mouth breathing, lethargy, and abnormal heart rate. The vet may prescribe medications to improve your feline friend’s quality of life and minimize fatality risks and disease progression.
Polycystic kidney disease
Lastly, another commonly occurring disease in Maine Coon Cats is Polycystic kidney disease. It is a genetic disorder and your cat will most likely be born with cysts in the kidneys. With age, the size of the cysts will increase too, and may cause further damage to the kidneys. The risk with this disease is that most of the time it gets diagnosed too late. Some of the symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, weight loss, lethargy, and blood in the urine. You should get in touch with your vet to know more about the course of treatment for this.
These are a few diseases that your Maine Coon Cat could suffer from. Treatment for these diseases can at times be a bit too expensive for most of us. In such a scenario, you should consider investing in a pet insurance policy. It will help cover the expense of the treatment partially.
