Health Concerns

Maine Coons genetic risk factors for common cat diseases and health issues are the same as all other cat breeds. DNA tests now exist to prevent deadly HCM, PKD, SMA and so much more (40+ diseases to be exact). These DNA test are now much more affordable than ever. Unfortunately testing negative does not prevent health issues cause by other factors which can subsequently causes the testable diseases.

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Non-Genetic Health Concerns

Cancer

Cancer is a class of diseases in which cells grow uncontrollably, invade surrounding tissue and may spread to other areas of the body. As with people, cats can get various kinds of cancer. The disease can be localized (confined to one area, like a tumor) or generalized (spread throughout the body).

Diabetes

Diabetes in cats is a complex disease caused by either a lack of the hormone insulin or an inadequate response to insulin. After a cat eats, her digestive system breaks food into various components, including glucose—which is carried into her cells by insulin. When a cat does not produce insulin or cannot utilize it normally, her blood sugar levels elevate. The result is hyperglycemia, which, if left untreated, can cause many complicated health problems for a cat.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

Cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) may not show symptoms until years after the initial infection occurred. Although the virus is slow-acting, a cat’s immune system is severely weakened once the disease takes hold. This makes the cat susceptible to various secondary infections. Infected cats receiving supportive medical care and kept in a stress-free, indoor environment can live relatively comfortable lives for months to years before the disease reaches its chronic stages.

Feline Leukemia Virus (FelV)

First discovered in the 1960s, feline leukemia virus is a transmittable RNA retrovirus that can severely inhibit a cat’s immune system. It is one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of disease and death in domestic cats. Because the virus doesn’t always manifest symptoms right away, any new cat entering a household—and any sick cat—should be tested for FeLV.

Heartworm

Spread by infected mosquitoes, heartworm is increasingly being recognized as an underlying cause of health problems in domestic cats. Cats are an atypical host for heartworms. Despite its name, heartworm primarily causes lung disease in cats. It is an important concern for any cat owner living in areas densely populated by mosquitoes, and prevention should be discussed with a veterinarian.

Rabies

Rabies is a viral disease that affects the brain and spinal cord of all mammals, including cats, dogs and humans. This preventable disease has been reported in every state except Hawaii. There’s good reason that the very word “rabies” evokes fear in people—once symptoms appear, rabies is close to 100% fatal.

Ringworm

Although the name suggests otherwise, ringworm isn’t caused by a worm at all—but a fungus that can infect the skin, hair and nails. Not uncommon in cats, this highly contagious disease can lead to patchy, circular areas of hair loss with central red rings. Also known as dermatophytosis, ringworm often spreads to other pets in the household—and to humans, too.

Upper Respiratory Infections

A cat’s upper respiratory tract—the nose, throat and sinus area—is susceptible to infections caused by a variety of viruses and bacteria.

Worms

Cats can acquire a variety of intestinal parasites, including some that are commonly referred to as “worms.” Infestations of intestinal worms can cause a variety of symptoms. Sometimes cats demonstrate few to no outward signs of infection, and the infestation can go undetected despite being a potentially serious health problem. Some feline parasitic worms are hazards for human health as well.

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Genetic Concerns

Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 1)

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disorder caused by decreased cellular enzymatic activity leading to an accumulation of byproducts, called porphyrins, in the tissues. The disease is characterized by the brownish coloration of the teeth and brownish urine of affected cats.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 2)

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disorder caused by decreased cellular enzymatic activity leading to an accumulation of byproducts, called porphyrins, in the tissues. The disease is characterized by the brownish coloration of the teeth and brownish urine of affected cats.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 3)

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disorder caused by decreased cellular enzymatic activity leading to an accumulation of byproducts, called porphyrins, in the tissues. The disease is characterized by the brownish coloration of the teeth and brownish urine of affected cats.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 4)

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disorder caused by decreased cellular enzymatic activity leading to an accumulation of byproducts, called porphyrins, in the tissues. The disease is characterized by the brownish coloration of the teeth and brownish urine of affected cats.

Acute Intermittent Porphyria (Variant 5)

Acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) is a disorder caused by decreased cellular enzymatic activity leading to an accumulation of byproducts, called porphyrins, in the tissues. The disease is characterized by the brownish coloration of the teeth and brownish urine of affected cats.

Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome

Autoimmune Lymphoproliferative Syndrome is an immunologic disorder characterized by severely enlarged lymph nodes.

Burmese Head Defect (Discovered in the Burmese)

Burmese Head Defect is a disorder where cats with two copies of the mutation will be born with severe facial defects requiring humane euthanasia shortly after birth.

Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (Discovered in the Persian)

Chediak-Higashi Syndrome (CHS) is a metabolic disoder that causes partial albinism, sensitivity to light, cataracts at an early age, and prolonged bleeding.

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia is an endocrine disorder that causes excessive drinking and urination, abnormalities of the genitallia, and aggression.

Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria

Congenital Erythropoietic Porphyria (CEP) is a disorder caused by decreased cellular enzymatic activity leading to an accumulation of byproducts, called porphyrins, in the tissues. The disease is characterized by the brownish coloration of the teeth and brownish urine of affected cats.

Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (Discovered in the Devon Rex and Sphynx)

Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (CMS) is a neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue.

Cystinuria Type 1A

Cystinuria is a metabolic disorder which predisposes the affected cat to form cystine crystals and stones within the urinary tract, which can then cause irritation and blockage.

Cystinuria Type B (Variant 1)

Cystinuria is a metabolic disorder which predisposes the affected cat to form cystine crystals and stones within the urinary tract, which can then cause irritation and blockage.

Cystinuria Type B (Variant 2)

Cystinuria is a metabolic disorder which predisposes the affected cat to form cystine crystals and stones within the urinary tract, which can then cause irritation and blockage.

Cystinuria Type B (Variant 3)

Cystinuria is a metabolic disorder which predisposes the affected cat to form cystine crystals and stones within the urinary tract, which can then cause irritation and blockage.

Dihydropyrimidinase Deficiency

Dihydropyrimidinase deficiency is a metabolic disorder that causes tiredness, weakness, vomiting, and high levels of ammonia in the blood.

Earfold and Osteochondrodysplasia (Discovered in the Scottish Fold)

Earfold and osteochondrodysplasia (discovered in the Scottish Fold) is the condition behind the breed defining folded ears; however, it also associated with skeletal malformations and arthritis.

Factor XII Deficiency (Variant 1)

Factor XII deficiency is a common blood factor deficiency in cats which does not result in an abnormal tendency to bleed but may have an effect on blood clot stability.

Factor XII Deficiency (Variant 2)

Factor XII deficiency is a common blood factor deficiency in cats which does not result in an abnormal tendency to bleed but may have an effect on blood clot stability.

Familial Episodic Hypokalemic Polymyopathy (Discovered in the Burmese)

Familial Episodic Hypokalaemic Polymyopathy is a disorder that causes skeletal muscle weakness and pain that is episodic in nature.

GM1 Gangliosidosis

GM1 Gangliosidosis is a disorder characterized by progressive nervous system degeneration with signs including incoordination of movements and tremors.

GM2 Gangliosidosis

GM2 Gangliosidosis is a disorder characterized by progressive nervous system degeneration with signs including incoordination of movements and tremors.

GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II (Discovered in Domestic Shorthair cats)

GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II is a disorder characterized by progressive nervous system degeneration with signs including incoordination of movements and tremors.

GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II (Discovered in Japanese domestic cats)

GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II is a disorder characterized by progressive nervous system degeneration with signs including incoordination of movements and tremors.

GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II (Discovered in the Burmese)

GM2 Gangliosidosis Type II is a disorder characterized by progressive nervous system degeneration with signs including incoordination of movements and tremors.

Glutaric Aciduria Type II

Glutaric Aciduria Type II is a rare metabolic disorder that causes organic acids to accumulate in the blood and urine.

Glycogen Storage Disease (Discovered in the Norwegian Forest Cat)

Glycogen Storage Disease Type IV is a disorder that affects the metabolism of glycogen resulting in low blood sugar levels and progressive neuromuscular disease.

Hemophilia B (Variant 1)

Hemophilia B, also known as Factor IX Deficiency, is a blood clotting disorder more commonly seen in males, which can result in tiredness, decreased appetite, fever, lameness, and prolonged bleeding times after injury, trauma or surgery.

Hemophilia B (Variant 2)

Hemophilia B, also known as Factor IX Deficiency, is a blood clotting disorder more commonly seen in males, which can result in tiredness, decreased appetite, fever, lameness, and prolonged bleeding times after injury, trauma or surgery.

Hyperoxaluria Type II

Hyperoxaluria is a kidney disorder leading to profound weakness and acute kidney disease at a young age.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Maine Coon Type)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disorder where the heart muscle wall increases in thickness, eventually leading to heart failure.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (Ragdoll Type)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disorder where the heart muscle wall increases in thickness, eventually leading to heart failure.

Hypotrichosis (Birman Type)

Hypotrichosis is a disorder of the immune system causing kittens to be born hairless and to develop serious infections.

Lipoprotein Lipase Deficiency

Lipoprotein Lipase Deficiency is a metabolic disorder that causes reduced body mass and growth rates in kittens, lipemia (excessive fatty substances in the blood), and increased stillbirth rates.

MDR1 Medication Sensitivity

Medication Sensitivity (or Multidrug Resistance 1) is a disorder resulting from a defective drug pumping protein that plays an important role in limiting drug absorption and distribution (particularly to the brain). Cats with the ABCB1 mutation may have severe adverse reactions to some commonly used medications.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I is a disorder causing failure to thrive, facial and other skeletal abnormalities, tremors, and corneal clouding.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (Variant 1)

Mucopolysaccharidosis VI is a lysosomal storage disease resulting in a degenerative joint disease. This mutation (the G1558A variant) may cause for a mild form of the disease, but only if one copy of the severe disease variant (the T1427C variant) is also present.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI (Variant 2)

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI is a disorder causing dwarfism, degenerative joint disease, and corneal clouding.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (Variant 1)

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII is a disorder causing weakness, growth retardation, facial and other skeletal abnormalities, and corneal clouding.

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII (Variant 2)

Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VII is a disorder causing weakness, growth retardation, facial and other skeletal abnormalities, and corneal clouding.

Myotonia Congenita

Myotonia Congenita is a neuromuscular disorder that affects cats from birth, causing stiff movement and delayed relaxation of muscles after exercise.

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

Polycystic kidney disease is the most common inherited disease in cats. The disease causes the formation of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys that can lead to kidney failure.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Discovered in the Abyssinian)

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is a disorder that causes the degeneration of the light sensing retina at the back of the eye, resulting in vision loss.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Bengal Type)

Bengal Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an eye disorder that causes the degeneration of the light sensing retina at the back of the eye, resulting in vision loss.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (Persian Type)

Persian Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an eye disorder that causes the degeneration of the light sensing retina at the back of the eye, resulting in vision loss.

Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency

Pyruvate Kinase (PK) Deficiency is a disorder that causes anemia due to the breakdown of red blood cells.

Sphingomyelinosis (Variant 1)

Sphingomyelinosis (Mutation 1) is a neurological disorder that causes progressively severe neurologic signs, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and changes in the lungs.

Sphingomyelinosis (Variant 2)

Sphingomyelinosis (Mutation 2) is a neurological disorder that causes progressively severe neurologic signs and reduced menace response.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Maine Coon Varient)

Spinal muscular atrophy is a muscular disorder that causes muscle wasting and progressive weakness. Please note that this test detects presence or absence of the disease mutation and cannot distinguish cats that have one copy of the disease mutation from cats with two copies of the disease mutation.

Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets

Vitamin D-Dependent Rickets (VDDR) is a metabolic disorder resulting in low blood calcium levels and skeletal abnormalities.