FAQ

MAINE COON BREED HEALTH INFORMATION

It is essential to use a Vet that is familiar with this breed. Most MC kittens will experience juvenile gingivitis while teething. This breed loses all baby teeth. It takes about 6 months for the adult teeth to grow in. It varies from kitten to kitten on how much swelling of the gums they experience during this process which occurs from 5 months to a year of age. Many Vets misdiagnose this as stomates or other mouth diseases and recommend pulling teeth. Do Not let them pull any teeth. Find another vet. Always get a second opinion, just like you would for your own health.

Also, some MC kittens have an enzyme in their mouth that makes the gums try to grow over the teeth as the body is rejecting the teeth. Do Not pull any teeth.  The proper treatment is giving the kitten/cat Prednisone for inflammation for several weeks. In severe cases, surgery is required to remove some of the excess growth. Then give prednisone and an antibiotic. Surprisingly, the excess growth normally does not grow back. It is very unlikely that an MC kitten or young adult cat will have any kind of permanent mouth diseases that would require pulling teeth. Remember, MC Cats grow until 4 years of age, so they are just big kittens at 1 year old.

Everything about MC Cats is large compared to other cat breeds. Head, Feet, Boning, Internal organs such as Heart and loud Heartbeat. Vets unfamiliar with the MC breed will misdiagnose murmurs. Some MC kittens will experience a juvenile murmur as the kittens grow extremely fast. If they have a murmur at all, they usually outgrow it within 6 months. A murmur is an entirely different issue from HCM which is enlargement of the heart and can be fatal. All Heaven-Scent Maine Coons breeders have been DNA tested for HCM and are negative for the disease.  Murmurs come in 6 grades. Any murmurs Grades (1-3) are considered minor and will normally be outgrown and should not be a concern. Grades (4-6) murmurs are major murmurs and will negatively impact the kitten’s life. Heaven-Scent Maine Coons kittens are examined at each kitten shot for murmurs. If they have any grade minor murmur at time of pick up, it will be noted on their health records and the buyer is informed at that time. The buyer would be informed prior to pick up. No kittens with a major heart murmur is not sold. Normally, MC kittens/cats do not just suddenly develop a murmur. If they do not have a murmur at 3 months of age it is extremely unlikely, they will develop one, especially during the first year of growth. If your kitten is diagnosed with a murmur, get a second opinion, or find a Vet familiar with this breed. The kitten did not have a murmur when you took it home.

Lastly, this breed is a large boned animal and can easily carry 20+ pounds. Males are not overweight if over 20 pounds. All MC Cats have a stomach sack like a Lion or Tiger. The stomach sack does not mean they are overweight. It is normal for the breed.

Heaven-Scent Maine Coon Cattery is an information resource for you. Please contact us prior to spending funds on questionable pet medical diagnosis. When in doubt, always get a second medical opinion.