FELINE HEALTH INFORMATION PAGE

Maine Coon Information with Helpful Links about Health and Care


All of our cats are Negative HCM MyBPC genetic marker
All of our Studs are non carrier SMA
All of our cats are Pk deficiency clear
All of our cats are FILV FEV and Ringworm Negative
We do Hip X-rays







SPECIAL THANKYOU TO JIMMY EMERSON DVM
FOR ALLOWING US TO PHOTOGRAPH THE SURGERY

IF YOU PURCHASE A FEMALE MAINE COON FROM US WE REQUIRE
THAT IF NOT ALREADY DONE SO SHE MUST BE SPAYED BY THE AGE OF SIX MONTHS.






You will want to have your vet discuss with you his recommended innoculation protocal.
We feel this is best discussed between you and your vet, and together decide on what course of action is best for your situation.







January 2006 we began testing our breeding cats for the MyBPC HCM gene.
Testing is now completed and all positive cats have been removed from our breeding program!


In simple terms, HCM is a disease of the heart.
Cats can have it and live a long life, never showing outward signs.
Or die at an early age of a sudden heart attack type incident.
This gene that causes HCM was discovered and there is a test available to detect it.
We are removing from our breeding program any cats that have this gene
so our kittens will not have it passed on to them.
(Be aware also that there are other HCM causing genes that have yet to be discovered.)



Explaining HCM

The thickening of the heart muscle causes the muscle itself to function abnormally.
The thickening also can cause the ventricles to become distorted, which can interfere with the function
of the aortic valve and the mitral valve, which regulate blood flow.
HCM is caused by a genetic abnormality that produces a disorder in the growth of the heart muscle fibers.
In some families, HCM is passed on as an “autosomal dominant” trait, which means that if the gene for HCM is inherited
from a single parent, the offspring will have the disease.

However, in almost half the patients with HCM, the genetic problem is not inherited at all,
but occurs as a spontaneous mutation – in which case, parents and siblings of the animal will
not be at risk for this condition (but offspring of the patient can be).
By removing the positive Genetic Cats from our breeding program, this eliminates
all possibility of your cat developing HCM caused by that gene.

Unfortunately, HCM caused by other genes or means can still develop.








All of our active Studs are clear of the SMA gene!
SMA stands for Spinal Muscular Atrophy.
Both parents have to carry this gene to have an affected offspring.
Our studs being clear means we will not have a kitten affected with SMA.


For more comprehensive information On SMA or HCM visit these sites.

SMA

HCM  




Search the Maine Coon Database for Pedigrees

Cats International-Feline Info from a Non-Profit Organization

The Clinic - Feline Vet Information

Animal Planet Cat Breed Selector

The Winn Feline Health Foundation

Cornell Feline Health Center

Adopt a Pet through the connections at PETSMART!









WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR VISIT TO OUR JUNGLE CATTERY
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CALL
Mitzi at (256)437-8429


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