Cat loving detectives help pet owners find lost kitties

Karma is beautiful!

Cat Diaries: The First Ever Movie Filmed by Cats!

absolutely adorable! love the choice of music too

Cat Obesity

People often ask: so how much should my cat weigh? And this is not an easy question to answer because it depends on what cat you have. Some breeds are very large, and therefore heavier - for example Maine Coons. An average domestic moggy should weigh between 8 and 10 pounds. To find the perfect weight for your cat, take her to the vet and get him to calculate her optimal weight. If your cat is 15% over her ideal weight she counts as obese; at 30% above, grossly obese. The classification after that is morbidly obese, which means that your cat is about to be killed by 'kindness'. The most obvious indicator of obesity is the amount of subcutaneous (just under the skin) fat. As a cat gains weight, her face appears to puff out and her neck develops a fold or two, rather like a human double chin. Her stomach will also become somewhat distended and sag like a pouch. A good test is to place both hands under your cat's belly and feel the ribcage. If you cannot feel each rib without pressing, then it's time to think about diets.

What causes obesity in cats?

In a small percentage of cats there may be an underlying pathology, metabolic problems, such as a thyroid dysfunction. It is therefore crucial that an overweight cat is checked by the vet especially if you add up the calories, and see no reason why your cat should be putting on the pounds.

However, in most cases, cats are overweight because they eat too much. A cat, like any human, will puts on weight by consuming more calories than she burns for energy. In the USA it is estimated that 40% of the cats are obese. (The figure is less for British cats, mainly because many more of these spend time outdoors.) But does obesity actually matter? Are there any serious health risks for obese cats? The simple answer is yes. That's why this number is alarming.

Obesity is associated with arthritis, heart and liver disease (Hepatic Lipidosis), respiratory difficulties, heat intolerance, diabetes and impaired immunity to infectious diseases - for a start. Obese cats have shorter, more unhealthy lives.

Since with the vast majority of cats there is no underlying health problem, as responsible owners we have to ask ourselves what we are doing to make our cats fat, and try to correct it.

A cat's balanced diet

The ideal diet for a cat is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. For example, a mouse. From the nutritional point of view, mice are perfect, consisting mostly of protein and fat. The rest is water and minerals with plenty of roughage and only 3 to 8% carbohydrates. True carnivores such as cats do not need carbohydrates in their diet. What is more, they are actually poorly equipped when it comes to digesting carbohydrates. One reason is that cats lack amylase, an enzyme present in human saliva which breaks down starch. As a result, undigested carbohydrates turn into fat instead of being burned for energy.

Secondly cats require a lot of protein in their diet. Ideally 35-45% of solid food matter should be protein. This is much higher than for humans or dogs. This is because cats are not able to synthesize many important amino-acids (building blocks of proteins), which means that they have to get these proteins from external sources. An example of this is taurine, but this amino-acid is not the only one. L-carnitine, for example, is important in burning stored fat reserves and allowing the liver to convert fat back into glucose. Although L-carnitine can be synthesized from lysine and methonine, both of these are essential amino acids for cats (essential amino-acids are these which are not naturally made in the body). The best source of natural carnitine is red meat and dairy products with beef having the highest level.

So when choosing cat food think Atkins diet - lots of proteins and few carbohydrates and no excess calories. In fact feline nutritional experts have put this into a philosophy of cat nutrition, known (appropriately enough) as the 'catkins diet'. This means keeping the cat's diet as true to its carnivorous heritage as possible without decimating local small wildlife. Avoid those surplus calories. Dry food is where the most dangerous calories are. Most dry cat foods contain lots of carbohydrates which are essential to give consistency to the dry pellets. Except for high quality dry foods, the level of meat protein is sub-optimal. Finally, dry food is often left freely available, so the cat can nibble during the day when the humans are not around - all the more dangerous, as this is when the cat might eat out of sheer boredom.

If the cat has free access to dry food make sure that the amount in the food bowl does not exceed the amount needed for daily calorie intake. It is a good idea to add wet food to the cat's diet. When using treats, make sure that the treats are part of the daily calorie intake rather than an addition to the spare tyre around your cat's waist.

Weight loss diets

Getting an obese cat to lose weight needs to be done gradually and carefully. Never give your cat a crash diet. Cats have a unique metabolic response and they are not very efficient in processing of fat. So if an obese cat is put on a crash diet there is a serious danger that it will get Hepatic Lipidosis (a deposit of fat in the liver which reduces liver function). Also if the cat cannot get sufficient energy from its diet or fat stores (and the fat stores only release their energy gradually), it will start breaking up its own muscle cells.

If your cat is seriously obese you should discuss diet options with the vet. There are special low calorie diets available for cats. But always make sure you introduce any new diet gradually.

Remove treats from the cat's diet. If you want to give your cat an occasional treat, it is better to give her a small piece of chicken or fish. Cat treats available in the shops are designed to be palatable, but they contain a lot of carbohydrates with a substantial amount of sugar.

It is very important to get your cat doing as much exercise as possible, especially if it is an indoor cat. An obese cat may not want to participate at first, but once her weight goes down she will become more active. Over-feeding a cat is not a sign of love. It means that you put feeling good about yourself above your cat's welfare!

Body Score Index

What is the body score index?  Basically it is the means by which we can establish whether a pet is overweight or not.  The body score index takes into account the variations in size within a breed as well as any cross breeding and therefore is far more flexible than weight ranges provided for certain breeds.  There are basically 5 scores, 1 and 2 are for animals that need to gain weight, 3 is for animals at ideal weight, and 4 and 5 are for those animals needing to loose weight

Score 1: Emaciated. No obvious body fat, the ribs and backbones are easily seen form a distance.  There is noticeable muscle loss.  The waist has an accentuated hourglass shape and the abdomen is severely tucked.

Score 2: Poor. Ribs and back bones and hips are easily felt and possibly seen with no obvious fat cover.  The waist has a marked hourglass shape and the abdomen is tucked.

Score 3: Ideal. Ribs have some fat cover but can be felt with a flat hand.  The backbone also has a cover of fat but can be felt. The abdomen has a slight tuck towards the hips and there is an obvious waist.

Score 4: Overweight. This pet carries up to 15% extra weight.  There is visible body fat and minimal muscle tone.  It is difficult to feel the ribs, backbone and hips.  The waist and abdominal tuck have disappeared.

Score 5: Obese. This pet is carrying more than 15% extra weight.  There are very marked fat deposits ove the ribs and abdomen.  The abdomen hangs down due to fat deposits and the waistline has become markedly broadened.

So where does your pet rate?  If the score is 4 or 5, your pet needs to loose weight to be able to enjoy life to the maximum.  Excessive weight has been linked to heart disease, increased susceptibility to infections, Diabetes, increased surgical risk, respiratory problems, cancer, joint disease, skin problems, reproductive disorders, inactivity and overall reduction in lifespan.  All very good reasons to get dieting!

Cute Munchkin Video!!

Vaccinations for Cats

Regular vaccination is an important part of routine health care for your cat and helps to ensure your cat remains fit and well. Many serious and life-threatening diseases can be prevented by vaccination. In Australia, there are a number of vaccines that are currently available for use in cats to protect against the following diseases:-

Feline Herpes Virus Type 1 (FHV-1; feline rhinotracheitis virus)
Feline Calicivirus ( FCV)
Feline Panleukopenia (feline infectious enteritis; feline parvovirus)
Feline Chlamydial Infection
Feline Leukemia Virus ( FeLV)
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)

How do vaccines work?

Vaccines work by exposing the body’s immune system to a particular modified infectious agent.  This causes the white blood cells to react to fight the infection by producing proteins (antibodies) which are able to bind to and neutralise the infectious agent (antigen).  Antibodies work together with other white blood cells (lymphocytes) which are able to identify and kill cells within the body which have become infected by the agent (cell mediated response).  After vaccine exposure, the body ‘remembers’ the particular antigens so that when they are encountered again it can mount a very rapid and strong immune response preventing the cat from showing clinical signs of disease.  It is important to realize that most vaccines work by preventing your cat from becoming ill and may not prevent it from becoming infected.  This means that if a vaccinated cat becomes infected with ‘cat flu’ it may still shed the disease producing organism which can infect unvaccinated animals which will then become ill.  This is not a major consideration in the pet cat but may be important in the breeding colony.

What is the difference between the various types of vaccine?

The 2 major types of vaccines for use in cats are

Modified live vaccines- these vaccines contain live organisms that are weakened (attenuated) so that they do not produce disease but will multiply in the cat’s body. It is not advisable to use modified live vaccines in pregnant queens or cats whose immune system is not working properly e.g. cats infected by feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

Killed (inactivated) vaccines - these vaccines are prepared using fully virulent organisms that have been killed by chemicals, UV light or radiation.  Because, on their own, they do not give such a high level of protection, a chemical (adjuvant) is added to the vaccine to stimulate a better immune response.

When should my kitten be vaccinated?

Kittens should be first vaccinated at 6 to 8 weeks and then every 4 weeks until they are 16 weeks or older. For most kittens this will mean 3 vaccinations. A kitten will not be fully protected until 7-10 days after the last vaccination.  Under specific circumstances we may advise an alternative regime.

How often should booster vaccinations be given?

Guidelines for booster vaccinations are constantly being debated around the world. Vaccines currently used in Australia are labelled by the manufacturer to be given every 12 months. We support this and recommend that after the initial series of kitten vaccinations that cats be vaccinated every 12 months.

Will vaccination always protect my cat?

Vaccination will protect the vast majority of cats but under some circumstance vaccine breakdowns will occur.  There are many reasons for this including:-

1.       Variations between different strains of viruses – this is particularly true of FCV where many different strains exist, not all of which are covered by the vaccines available.

2.       Maternally derived antibodies – when a kitten is born it is protected in its early life by antibodies passed from the queen in the first milk (colostrum).  These antibodies can also prevent vaccination from working properly. The amount of colostral antibodies that each kitten receives is variable and so the age at which a kitten can respond to vaccination successfully will also vary.  This is part of the reason why two or three injections are given in the primary course.

3.       The cat was not healthy at the time of vaccination – ‘stress’ can prevent a good response to vaccination.  For this reason your vet will give your cat a physical examination before a vaccination is given.

4.       The cat may also be pre-infected with the ‘cat flu’ virus and incubating the disease.

If you feel your cat has contracted an infection for which it is vaccinated then let your veterinary surgeon know.  Investigation to establish why vaccination has possibly failed can be undertaken.

What are the risks of vaccination?

Generally the risks of vaccination are extremely low.  Severe reactions being very rare.  Many cats experience mild reactions at the site of vaccination where a lump may occur that can be painful.  Generalized reactions are sometimes seen, the cat being quiet, lame and often off its food for 24 hours after vaccination.  Occasionally more severe signs occur including vomiting, diarrhea and profound depression.  Under these circumstances your veterinary practice should be informed.  Vaccine reactions appear to occur more commonly in kittens and some purebred cats.

Which are the most important vaccinations to have?

We suggest all cats be vaccinated against feline herpes virus, feline calicivirus and feline panleukopaenia. This is often referred to as a F3 vaccination.
For outdoor cats, we recommend vaccination against feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

Feline respiratory virus infection
Disease is caused by feline herpes virus or feline calicivirus and is commonly termed ‘cat flu’.  It is a common disease in unvaccinated cats and can cause long-term problems, including chronic sneezing, nasal discharge, inflamed eyes and severe gum problems.

Feline panleukopenia infection
This is now an uncommon disease that causes a severe and often fatal gastro-enteritis.  Vaccination provides a high level of long lasting protection.

Feline immunodeficiency virus infection
All outdoor cats are susceptible to infection with FIV if bitten by an infected cat unless        protected by vaccination against the virus. The initial vaccination is followed up by 2       more vaccinations 2-4 weeks apart and then with annual boosters. FIV vaccines can be          given at the same time as regular F3 vaccinations.

Feline Chlamydial infection
This tends to be a particular problem in colony cats. Chlamydial infection causes a painful inflammation and swelling of the conjunctiva (the membrane around the eye) and has been associated with infertility in queens. This vaccine can make many cats sick for several weeks and only suggest vaccination in certain circumstances.

Feline leukemia virus infection
FeLV causes suppression of the immune system, cancer of the white bloods cells and          solid tumors. It is an extremely rare disease in Australia seen mainly in colonies. We    only suggest vaccination for FeLV for at-risk cats.

Regular vaccination is an important part of routine health care for your cat and helps to ensure your cat remains fit and well.

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at CatHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.

Cute cat collection

Urinary Obstruction in Cats

If you suspect that your cat may have a urinary system blockage, meaning he cannot urinate, it is an emergency situation.

If the blockage lasts for greater than a day, death can result from the buildup of toxins.

Kidney failure or burst bladder may occur as other complications.

If you have not been checking the box daily, if your cat goes outdoors, or you have a multi-cat household, it may be tough to tell exactly when he last urinated, but do your best! See the signs below, and if in doubt, it is essential that you seek veterinary attention for your cat immediately!

Look for:

• No urine produced
• Straining in the box
• Blood or crystals in the fur at the back end where the urine comes out
• Lethargy, hiding, inactivity, aggression, restlessness, crying, pacing
• Vomiting
• Swollen hard tummy
• Loss of appetite
• Small amounts of urine +/- blood in the box or elsewhere in the home.

Complete blockage of the flow of urine out of the urethra (the tube from bladder to outside) is a very serious condition. This problem is a consequence of some of the conditions associated with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). There are many causes of urethra blockage, but the two most common are stones and plugs. Mucous, crystals, and tiny bits of urinary debris (cells and protein) can aggregate together to form a soft, compressible material that can lodge in the urethra and completely block the flow of urine. This is what plugs are. Stones, as the name implies, are mineral “stones” that are hard, and may or may not be round in shape.

Blockage is most common in male cats due to the fact that their urethra is longer and narrower than in the females. Female cats can become blocked though! Cats that are straining to urinate frequently and not producing urine may be blocked or just exhibiting these signs due to bladder discomfort associated with sterile interstitial cystitis, or bladder infection; other types of conditions we class as FLUTD complex.

With simple palpation of the abdomen, the veterinarian can usually quickly determine whether blockage is the problem.

Although on occasion, gentle pressure by the veterinarian on the bladder can expel the obstruction and relieve the blockage, usually a urinary catheter will be required. The passage of the catheter into the bladder requires sedation or light anesthesia unless the patient is near death. Although most catheters can be inserted, occasionally the stone or plug is so tightly lodged within the urethra that the urinary catheter cannot be passed. Flushing may be done to help move it out back into the bladder.

If male cats develop repeated episodes of this condition, a surgery called “ perineal urethrostomy” will be performed to permanently change the size of the outflow tract to make it less likely a stone can become stuck. In this surgery, the urethra is shortened and widened making him more like a girl cat in the anatomy. The male cat will then urinate from an opening in the skin below the anus, and not out of the penis.

The surgery will not prevent subsequent bouts of blockage, and may slightly predispose the cat to bladder infections. This is life saving surgery though, since repeated bouts or intractable blockage will lead to death of the cat.

If the bladder was very over-distended during blockage, some damage to the bladder wall may have occurred and only time will tell whether the muscles that produce normal emptying and squeezing down of the bladder will recover. Rarely, if extremely over-distended, tears can occur in the wall of the bladder, requiring surgical repair in another type of surgical procedure.

Once the obstruction has been relieved, cats will require at least a few days stay in the hospital. The urine is analyzed and cultured (to see if the urine contains bacteria) and antibiotics will be started if needed. Intravenous fluid therapy is provided as most blocked cats have dangerous levels of toxins in the blood and have bloodstream electrolyte imbalances that need to be corrected.

The veterinarian will leave the urinary catheter in place until it is less likely the cat will block again when it is removed. Spasms and pain will be attended to with medication, and sometimes tranquilizers are administered in order to relax an unhappy patient.

Disclaimer: This website is not intended to replace professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment by a licensed veterinarian. If you require any veterinary related advice, contact your veterinarian promptly. Information at CatHealth.com is exclusively of a general reference nature. Do not disregard veterinary advice or delay treatment as a result of accessing information at this site.

Constipation in Cats

Constipation is a term used to describe absent, infrequent or difficult passage of faeces (stools). Constipation results in the retention of faeces within the colon or rectum (large bowel). Animals with constipation may exhibit signs of pain when trying to pass faeces (defecate), and this may be accompanied by excessive straining. If there is prolonged constipation the faeces become impacted in the colon and rectum. This is known as obstipation. With repeated bouts of constipation or obstipation the colon can become distended and loses its ability to propel faeces towards the rectum in a condition called megacolon, literally meaning large colon. 


Causes of constipation

Cats can be reluctant to defecate because of behavioural reasons or medical reasons, such as pain. Behavioural reasons may include reluctance to use a dirty litter tray, competition for litter trays, dislike of the litter tray substrate used and association with an unpleasant experience whilst defecating. Pain in the lower back, tail head, hips or knees may make adoption of the squatting posture and straining uncomfortable. Foreign bodies within the colon or anal area will also result in painful defecation, as will anal sac infections, or abscesses (eg, cat bites) around the anus. Inflammatory conditions of the bladder may also make defecation painful.

Dehydration

The colon is the main area of the gastrointestinal tract from which water is reabsorbed. Cats that are dehydrated will reabsorb more fluid from the colon, resulting in very dry, hard faeces and constipation. One of the most common conditions with which this is associated is chronic renal failure. Cats with chronic renal failure lose excessive amounts of water in their urine, and although their water consumption increases, they are often still dehydrated and can therefore become constipated.

Neurological

The nerves that control the contraction of the bowel may be damaged as a result of trauma, eg, road traffic accidents or tail-pull injuries. In some cases, faecal incontinence (leaking out) may arise, but in others, faecal retention is seen, and may also be accompanied by urinary retention (inability to pass urine).

Obstruction to the colon

Pelvic canal deformities can give rise to narrowing of the pelvic canal and compression of the colon where it passes through the pelvic canal. Although birth defects or developmental problems such as nutritional deficiencies can result in narrowing, the most common cause is trauma resulting in a fractured pelvis. Faeces build up behind the area of constriction and megacolon can ultimately develop.

As well as narrowing from external pressure, an area of the colon itself may become narrowed. This is termed a stricture, and may be associated with scar tissue in the bowel wall (eg, from a previous injury or surgery), or some types of tumour that can infiltrate the bowel wall. Tumours may also cause an obstruction within the interior of the colon, as can foreign bodies, preventing passage of faeces past them.

Idiopathic megacolon

Although the above factors may be identified as causes of chronic constipation which progress to megacolon, in the vast majority of cases no underlying cause is identified, and the condition is known as idiopathic megacolon. In idiopathic megacolon, the smooth muscle that normally contracts to propel the faeces towards the rectum loses its ability to do so. This is thought to be caused by a failure in neuromuscular transmission - a failure to transfer the command electrical impulses from the nerves to the smooth muscle.

Signs of constipation

A decreased frequency of defecation, or the production of small, hard dry stools are the signs most commonly observed. Increased trips to the litter tray, accompanied by non-productive straining are also common findings, but it may be difficult to decide whether the cat is trying to urinate or defecate. In cases of obstipation, the cat may pass faecal fluid, rather than formed faeces. This arises as a result of the retained faeces irritating the lining of the large intestine and stimulating fluid secretion. This can be mistaken for diarrhoea. Cats may lose their appetite and start vomiting as the condition progresses. In severe cases cats may collapse and appear very cold (hypothermic).

Diagnostic tests

In addition to obtaining the history and performing a physical examination, veterinary surgeons may perform further diagnostic tests. Blood tests are useful to check for underlying systemic problems such as kidney disease, or calcium or potassium abnormalities that can lead to muscle weakness. Urine tests enable kidney or bladder diseases to be detected. X-ray examination can help with the identification of back, hip and pelvic problems, and allow the degree of the distension of the colon to be ascertained 

Further investigations that may be performed include:

•  Barium enema - introduction of fluid into the colon that can be seen clearly on an X-ray image.    Physical abnormalities in the colon can then be identified.

•  Colonoscopy - visual examination of the colon using an endoscope.

•  Colonic biopsy - collection of small amount of tissue from the colon for examination under a microscope.

Treatment

Fluid therapy

An intravenous drip may be required for constipated cats to overcome dehydration. This may also enable important electrolytes (substances vital for cells to function normally) such as potassium to be given. Longer term home-care to improve the cat's hydration may consist of changing from dried food to wet food, adding water to the food, or subcutaneous fluid administration.

Laxatives

Laxatives are medicines used to loosen bowel contents to allow defecation. They are classified as bulk-forming, emollient, lubricant, hyperosmotic or stimulant, according to their mode of action (see Table 2). All cats should be well hydrated before receiving them, as they retain water within the colon.

Enemas

Mild constipation may be alleviated with a lubricant laxative such as Micralax (Ucb Pharma). More severely affected cats are likely to require general anaesthesia for a warm water or saline enema (introduction of fluid into the rectum), with manual evacuation.

Prokinetic agents

Prokinetic drugs act to improve the contraction of the bowel, thereby propelling digesta from the stomach towards the rectum. They act by improving neuromuscular transmission and are useful in mild to moderate cases of megacolon. The most effective of these drugs, cisapride, was formulated for use in humans. However, it has now been withdrawn from the market and is, therefore, very hard to obtain. Unfortunately, the replacement human drugs that are available target different neurotransmission sites and have not been as effective for cats. It is hoped that new human drugs currently available in other countries may soon be available in the United Kingdom, although their use in cats would be 'off licence'.

Surgery

Surgery is indicated if medical management is unable to resolve the constipation. Surgery consists of removal of the dilated portion of colon known as a subtotal colectomy, and may be performed with or without preservation of the ileo-colic valve. This valve acts as a one way gate between the last portion of the small intestine, the ileum, and beginning of the large intestine (colon). Advantages and disadvantages associated with these procedures are given in Table 3.

Prognosis

Chronic constipation is a relatively frequent problem encountered in feline practice. Although milder cases can often be successfully managed medically, many cats do eventually require surgery. It is hoped that future work will shed light on the causes of idiopathic megacolon, and that investigations with new prokinetic drugs will benefit medical management.

Salam Jumaat!

Never blame any day in your life.

Good days give you happiness,

Bad days give you experience.

Worst days give you a lesson.

Have a good morning and great they ahead.

Masalah kutu pada kucing kesayangan korang?

Bagi mereka yang mempunyai masalah kutu, hama dan sengkenit ni, saya syor kan guna Frontline Spot on Combo. Resultnya memang berkesan dan terbaik! Sebut je kutu, hama, sengkenit.. semua dapat dihapuskan! hahaha
Cara guna pun tak susah, senang!. Result cepat! dan tahan lama!

Produk ni dapat tahan dalam lingkungan 1 bulan lebih. Itu terpulang la pada kucing korang. Kalau indoor, maybe lebih lama dapat tahan. Kalau outdoor, mungkin lebih cepat! 

Kalau nak cari saya rasa kat pet-shop dan klinik-klinik veterinar pasti ada. Make sure korang beli yang "combo" warna hijau!! kalau yang warna biru kurang keberkesanannya! :)
Good luck!

heart

"Keep love in your heart. A life without it is like a sunless garden when the flowers are dead."

Koleksi gambar-gambar kucing

"Time spent with cats is never wasted."

Here are some Facts about Cats

• All kittens are born with blue eyes, which eventually changes color over time.
• Cats always land on their feet.
• Cats are the most popular pets to own, more than dogs.
• Catnip can affect lions and tigers.
• Cats communicate using about 16 “cat words.”
• In the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, Felix the Cat was the very first balloon used.
• About 4,000 years ago in Egypt, cats were domesticated.
• Cats can usually live for around 14 years and some up to 20.
• Male cats are called toms.
• Female cats are called queens.
• Baby cats are called kittens, litter, or kindle.
• There are around 36 species in the cat family.
• Cats sleep for about 16 hours a day.
• Cats like to eat their food at room temperature.
• Cats like to eat grass.
• Cats have a 3rd eyelid called a haw.
• The sense of smell for cats is 14 times stronger than humans.
• Killing or hurting a cat in Ancient Egypt was punishable by death.
• Cats nose pads are like human fingerprints, each one is unique.

All about Maine Coon

Maine Coon

The Maine Coon is a breed of domestic cat with a distinctive physical appearance and valuable hunting skills. It is one of the oldest natural breeds in North America, specifically native to the state of Maine, where it is the official State Cat.

Although the Maine Coon's exact origins and date of introduction to the United States are unknown, many theories have been proposed. The breed was popular in cat shows in the late 19th century, but its existence became threatened when long-haired breeds from overseas were introduced in the early 20th century. The Maine Coon has since made a comeback and is now one of the most popular cat breeds in the world.

The Maine Coon is noted for its large bone structure, rectangular body shape, and long, flowing coat. The breed can be seen in a variety of colors and is known for its intelligence and gentle personality. Health problems, such as feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hip dysplasia, are seen in the breed, but screening methods can help to reduce the frequency of these problems.

Origin

The ancestral origins of the Maine Coon are unknown. There are only theories and folk tales. One such folk tale involvesMarie Antoinette, the Queen of France, who was executed in 1793. The story goes that before her death, Antoinette attempted to escape France with the help of Captain Samuel Clough. She loaded Clough's ship with her most prized possessions, including six of her favorite Turkish Angora cats. Although she did not make it to the United States, her pets safely reached the shores of Wiscasset, Maine, where they bred with other short-haired breeds and evolved into the modern breed of the Maine Coon.

Another folk tale involves Captain Charles Coon, an English seafarer who kept long-haired cats aboard his ships. Whenever Coon's ship would anchor in New England ports, the felines would exit the ship and mate with the local feral cat population. When long-haired kittens began appearing in the litters of the local cat population, they were referred to as one of "Coon's cats".

A myth which is trait-based, though genetically impossible, is the idea that the modern Maine Coon descended from ancestors of semi-feral domestic cats and raccoons. This myth would account for the common color of the breed (brown tabby) and its bushy tail. Another idea is that the Maine Coon originated between the matings of domestic cats and wild bobcats, which could explain the tufts of hairs that are so commonly seen on the tips of the ears.

The generally-accepted theory among breeders is that the Maine Coon is descended from the pairings of local short-haired domestic cats and long-haired breeds brought overseas by English seafarers (possibly by Captain Charles Coon) or 11th-century Vikings. The connection to the Vikings is seen in the strong resemblance of the Maine Coon to that of the Norwegian Forest Cat, another breed that is said to be a descendant of cats that traveled with the Vikings.

Breed Description

Maine Coons are one of the largest breeds of domestic cat. Males weigh from 15 to 25 lb (6.8 to 11 kg) with females weighing from 10 to 15 lb (4.5 to 6.8 kg). The height of adults can vary between 10 and 16 in (25 and 41 cm) and they can reach a length of up to 40 in (100 cm), including the tail, which can reach a length of 14 in (36 cm) and is long, tapering, and heavily furred, almost resembling a raccoon's tail. The body is solid and muscular, which is necessary for supporting their own weight, and the chest is broad. Maine Coons possess a rectangular body shape and are slow to physically mature; their full potential size is normally not reached until they are three to five years old, while other cats take about only one year.

In 2010, the Guinness World Records accepted a male purebred Maine Coon named "Stewie" as the "Longest Cat" measuring 48.5 in (123 cm) from the tip of his nose to the tip of his tail.

The Maine Coon is a longhaired, or medium-haired, cat. The coat is soft and silky, although texture may vary with coat color. The length is shorter on the head and shoulders, and longer on the stomach and flanks with some cats having a lion-like ruff around their neck. Minimal grooming is required for the breed, compared to other long-haired breeds, as their coat is mostly self-maintaining due to a light-density undercoat. The coat is subject to seasonal variation, with the fur being thicker in the winter and thinner during the summer. Maine Coons, due to their large size, have larger claws. There have been cases of Maine Coons using their claws to grip into walls.

Maine Coons can have any colors that other cats have. Colors indicating hybridization, such as chocolate, lavender, the Siamese pointed patterns or the "ticked" patterns, are unaccepted by breed standards. The most common color seen in the breed is brown tabby. All eye colors are accepted under breed standards, with the exception of the occurrence of blue-colored or odd-eyes (i.e., two eyes of different colors) in cats possessing coat colors other than white.

Maine Coons have several physical adaptations for survival in harsh winter climates. Their dense water-resistant fur is longer and shaggier on their underside and rear for extra protection when they are walking or sitting on top of wet surfaces of snow or ice. Their long and bushy raccoon-like tail is resistant to sinking in snow, and can be curled around their face and shoulders for warmth and protection from wind and blowing snow and it can even be curled around their backside like a insulated seat cushion when sitting down on a snow or ice surface. Large paws, and especially the extra-large paws of polydactyl Maine Coons, facilitate walking on snow and are often compared to snowshoes. Long tufts of fur growing between their toes help keep the toes warm and further aid walking on snow by giving the paws additional structure without significant extra weight. Heavily furred ears with extra long tufts of fur growing from inside help keep their ears warm.

Many of the original Maine Coon cats that inhabited the New England area possessed a trait known as polydactylism (having one or more extra toes on the feet). While some sources claim that trait is thought to have occurred in approximately 40% of the Maine Coon population in Maine at one time, little evidence has been given to substantiate this claim. Polydactylism is rarely, if ever, seen in Maine Coons in the show ring since it is unacceptable by competition standards. The gene for polydactylism is a simple autosomal dominant gene, which has shown to pose no threat to the cat's health. The trait was almost eradicated from the breed due to the fact that it was an automatic disqualifier in show rings. Private organizations and breeders were created in order to keep polydactylism in Maine Coons from disappearing.

Maine Coons are known as the "gentle giants" and possess above-average intelligence, making them relatively easy to train. They are known for being loyal to their family and cautious—but not mean—around strangers, but are independent and not clingy. The Maine Coon is generally not known for being a "lap cat" but their gentle disposition makes the breed relaxed around dogs, other cats, and children. They are playful throughout their lives, with males tending to be more clownish and females generally possessing more dignity, yet both are equally affectionate. Many Maine Coons have a fascination with water and some theorize that this personality trait comes from their ancestors, who were aboard ships for much of their lives. Maine Coons are also well known for yowling, chattering, chirping, "talking" (especially "talking back" to their owners), and making other loud vocalizations.

Health

Pet insurance data from Sweden puts the median lifespan of the Maine Coon at >12.5 years. Maine Coons are generally a healthy and hardy breed and have adapted to survive the New England climate. The most severe threat is feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common heart disease seen in cats, whether pure bred or not. In Maine Coons, it is thought to be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. Middle-aged to older cats as well as males are thought to be predisposed to the disease. HCM is a progressive disease and can result in heart failure, paralysis of the hind legs due to clot embolization originating in the heart, and sudden death. A specific mutation that causes HCM is seen in Maine Coons for which testing services are offered. Of all the Maine Coons tested for the MyBPC mutation at the Veterinary Cardiac Genetics Lab at the College of Veterinary Medicine located at Washington State University, approximately one-third tested positive. Not all cats that tested positive will have clinical signs of the disease and some Maine Coon cats with clinical evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy test negative for this mutation, strongly suggesting that a second mutation exists in the breed. Another potential health problem is spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), another genetically inherited disease which causes the loss of the spinal-cord neurons which activate the skeletal muscles of the trunk and limbs. Symptoms are normally seen within 3–4 months of age and result in muscle atrophy, muscle weakness, and a shortened life span. A test is offered to detect the genes responsible for SMA.

Hip dysplasia is an abnormality of the hip joint which can cause crippling lameness and arthritis. The cats most commonly affected with hip dysplasia tend to be males of the larger, big-boned breeds such as Persians and Maine Coons. This is similar to the situation with dogs, but the relatively smaller size and weight of cats frequently results in symptoms that are less pronounced. X-rays submitted to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) between 1974 and 2011 indicates that 24.3% of Maine Coons in the database were dysplastic. The Maine Coon is the only cat breed listed in the database.

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a slowly progressive disease that is possible among Maine Coons and was thought to plague only the Persian and Persian-related breeds. Symptoms typically occur around seven years of age and the effects are incurable. PKD generally leads to renal failure and is genetically inherited, so careful screening and testing are the only ways to prevent the disease from occurring.
via wikipedia