Cross Breeds

Why are Maine Coon cats more prone to heart murmurs than other breeds?

Why?

Public Comments

1. i have a maine coon and he has heart problems. i didnt even kno that they were more prone to it. but its so sad theyre such amazing cats i love mine to death
2. They aren't but are study more than most breeds. They are working on the genetics and getting the lines that carry heart problems out of breeding. All cat can have heart murmurs, Ragdolls do also. But not many people who have domestic long or short hair cats are going to spend the money as a breeder does to get their cats tested and echo to make sure they are healthy. Maine Coon Breeders talk about it and don't hide any information concerning their health. They do not want to breed unhealthy animals because it will not serve the breed well and in the long run will destroy the breed. Most people who let their cats breed have no idea what is behind them and what genetic problems are there also. And most don't know who the father of the kittens are or if the father is carrying a disease or a health issue. Hence unhealthy kittens that fade within a couple of weeks. Some with snotty noses that never clear up and not very friendly personalities. R P CAT
3. With Maine C**n and ragdolls, and American shorthair there seems to be a greater than expected incidence of feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. However, that may be the result of looking for that problem and finding it. It is believed to be a genetic problem, but that doesn't mean others don't carry that defect, just that is may not be looked for. For more on HCM, see the link.