Your gentle giant is getting on in years and is not as energetic as he used to be. You often find him lying in a patch of sun or stretched out on his favorite bed. Your MC is getting older, and You may be concerned about what health conditions your older Maine Coon may be prone to in his later years.
Maine Coons are prone to genetic diseases such as feline hip dysplasia, polycystic kidney disease, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. They may also experience common feline age-related ailments such as digestive, kidney, urinary, musculoskeletal, oral health, and dental.
Like humans, cats tend to suffer various conditions as they age, which you should be aware of to keep your beloved feline friend pain-free and active for as long as possible. Let’s explore what these common old-age ailments of the Maine Coon and what you can do to prevent or treat them.
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Genetic Old Age Ailments of Maine Coons
Experts categorize your Maine Coons age as middle-aged at 7-10 years, senior at 11-14, and geriatric at over 15 years. Maine Coons are pretty healthy in comparison to other pedigree breeds, but unfortunately, they, too, have certain predispositions to genetic illness.
While certain genetic diseases, such as spinal muscular atrophy, appear early in their lives, other disorders usually occur in their later years. Here are the most common age-related genetic disorders in the Maine Coon breed.
1. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disorder of the heart that affects roughly 30% of the Maine Coon Breed. HCM is a gene mutation in the cardiac muscle sarcomere involved with contractions. The sarcomere is a muscle’s basic functional unit that contains thick and thin filaments involved in muscular contraction.
The mutated gene A31P causes the left ventricle chamber to thicken, resulting in stiffer walls that pump blood less effectively through the body. The disease can worsen over time, causing the heart cells to die off, blood clots in the heart and veins, and cardiac arrest.
In advanced stages, a cat may also exhibit hind limb paralysis and a weak or arrhythmic pulse. Most cats only show clinical signs of the disease later in life, between 5 and 7 years of age, although testing can pick up the anomaly earlier in their lives.
Scientific studies show that the disease occurs frequently in older cats that are larger-boned, have a rapid growth rate at six months, and are more overweight than other cats. Thus they believe that nutrition, growth rates, and larger-sized Maine Coons who are prone to obesity may enhance their genetic predisposition to the disease.
The gene mutation is autosomal dominant, meaning that your Maine Coon needs only one copy of the gene passed down to manifest this disease. Reputable Maine Coon breeders typically screen their breeding pairs to eliminate this disease from their bloodlines.
Signs that your cat may have HCM include:
- Lethargy
- Rapid or labored breathing
- Vomiting
- Coughing
- Breathing with an open mouth
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian will typically conduct an EKG to reveal any abnormalities in the electric currents of the heart and heart rhythms. Your vet will usually pair this test with an echocardiogram, an ultrasound that pinpoints any thickening in the heart walls or the presence of clots.
Treatment
There are several options for treatment for HCM, including:
- Beta-blockers: Medications such as atenolol can slow down the cat’s accelerated heart and balance abnormal heart rhythms
- ACE Inhibitors: Medications such as benazepril can help reduce blood pressure in affected cats.
- Medications for fluid build-up caused by HCM include Diltiazem and Spironolactone, nitroglycerine ointment, and Lasix®.
- Pimobendan: This heart disease medication helps the performance of the affected left ventricle to pump blood effectively.
- Clopidogrel: This is a medication that helps prevent blood clots.
2. Polycystic Kidney Disease
Polycystic kidney disease is another disease that may only show symptoms when your cat grows older, although they may be born with the disorder. The PK1 gene is another inherited mutation that causes the kidneys to become filled with fluid-filled sacs or cysts.
These cysts grow over time, causing damage to the kidneys and kidney function. As the condition worsens, it may lead to renal failure and death.
Signs of PKD in Older Maine Coons
- Unexplained weight loss
- Increased thirst and urination
- Lethargy
- Blood in urine
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- High blood pressure
Diagnosis of Feline PKD
Your vet will use diagnostic tools based on your cat’s breed, medical history, and blood urine analysis. They will then conduct an ultrasound to detect cysts in the kidneys as small as 2 mm. They may also suggest an X-ray to screen for kidney size and shape irregularities.
Treatment
Although treatments may slow the process or eliminate the most painful aspects of the disease, unfortunately, there is no cure. Treatment is palliate mainly and includes the following:
- Intravenous fluid therapy
- Therapeutic diets that contain less protein, sodium, and phosphorus and increased omega-3 fatty acids
- Nausea and vomiting medications
- Oral phosphate binders such as aluminum hydroxide help to reduce phosphorus absorption through the gut
That is why it is so essential to ensure that your Maine Coon breeder regularly screens their breeding pairs for the PKD gene.
3. Feline Hip Dysplasia
Maine Coons are also susceptible to feline hip dysplasia (FHD), which is common in large-breed dogs. A 2019 scientific study of over 5000 pedigree Maine Coons published in Scientific Reports found that over 37.4% of the tested cats had some form of FHD.
Scientists are yet to discover the precise genetic cause of hip dysplasia, but they agree that the reason is genetic due to breed clusters such as in the Maine Coon. The genetic mutation results in a malformation of the ball and socket joint that connects the Maine Coon’s thigh bone to the hip.
An average cat’s ball or femoral head fits snugly in the socket or acetabulum, allowing a free range of motion. In FHD, the ball and socket are misaligned and loose, preventing a free range of mobility and resulting in a partial dislocation called subluxation.
Over time, this misalignment causes the socket and ball to grind against each other, causing impaired mobility and leading to osteoarthritis in later years. Osteoarthritis further damages and destroys the bone cartilage that cushions the bone ends, leading to pain and impaired mobility.
This condition may have environmental triggers. Some scientific studies have found a high correlation between larger-sized Maine Coons and obesity and the occurrence of FHD.
Signs of Hip Dysplasia
- Difficulties in walking
- Lethargy and avoiding physical activity
- Pain response when someone touches the hip
- Licking or chewing at the hip area
- Poor grooming
- Weight loss
- Depression
- Reluctance to jump
Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia
Your vet will diagnose this condition by combining a physical examination and X-rays. They will gently move your cat’s limbs and assess the hip motion to see if the limbs typically behave.
To make a further analysis, your cat may require sedation. Then, yourvet will look for the “Ortolani sign,” an abnormal movement in the hip joint where the ball is loose and pulls free from the socket.
An X-ray will allow your vet to closely examine the femoral head and acetabulum and assess any degenerative signs of the disease.
Treatment of Hip Dysplasia in Cats
- Medication: Your vet may prescribe breed-specific medications as a pain management strategy for your cat.
- Supplements: You may opt for certain supplements that can aid in halting the progression of hip dysplasia, such as glucosamine and chondroitin. Glucosamine is an amino sugar and part of a natural cartridge that is the building block of glycosaminoglycans, a critical part of cartilage structure. Chondroitin is a natural part of cartilage that helps form hyaline cartilage, a connective tissue that cushions joints and resists compression.
- Weight management: Controlling your MC’s weight reduces the pressure on their joints and the related pain. Diet and exercise are vital to preventing further deterioration of the joints, and you should speak to a professional regarding a specialized low-calorie diet.
- Femoral head osteotomy (FHO): This surgery removes the head of the thigh bone and leaves the acetabulum empty. The leg muscles will hold the bone until scar tissue takes the joint’s place and provides pain-free cushioning.
- Full Hip Replacement (FHR): This operation removes both the femoral head (ball) and the acetabulum (socket and replaces them with a prosthetic (artificial) joint.
Common Age-Related Ailments in Maine Coons
Age-Related Digestive Issues
Old age also affects your Maine Coons ability to digest food, absorb nutrients and cause changes in their metabolism. Many physical issues associated with aging can affect your aging Maine Coon’s appetite, including dental problems, decline in the sense of smell, and a compromised ability to chew their food adequately.
Alterations in bile secretion, pancreas activity, and altered stool transit in the bowels can also affect digestion. If the bowel transit is too slow, it promotes constipation or emptying the bowel too quickly and reduces nutrient absorption.
Experts suggest that aged cats cannot digest proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Cat’s good microbes in the gut, such as bifidobacteria, also decline, leading to compromised digestion and nutrient absorption.
Senior cats also experience a decline in their sensitivity to thirst, so they tend to drink less, leading to dehydration and the multiple medical issues that arise from lack of proper hydration.
Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Cats with digestive problems are likely to present the following symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Decreased appetite
- Weight loss
- Abdominal pain or enlarged abdomen
- Lethargy and reduced activity levels
Your vet will consider your cat’s body condition and medical history. They will then conduct blood tests, abdominal ultrasound scans, or X-rays, depending on the severity of the condition.
Change your cat’s diet to a senior-friendly feed with a moderate phosphorus restriction and an easily digestible format with increased wet food for hydration. Senior cats will also need a calorie reduction of at least 20-30%, depending on their health and activity levels.
Consider specialized diets that contain beneficial prebiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, and EPA/DHA to help maintain digestive health. It would help if you also considered increasing your health checkups and screenings at least twice yearly to tackle age-related issues before they become more serious.
Old Age and Feline Heart Health
Heart disease is one of the most common age-related ailments of the aging feline. Like humans, aging impacts the heart with vascular changes, which causes stress on the heart. As explored above, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is also a threat to your aging Maine Coon.
Several medical conditions can lead to heart disease in your Maine Coon, including these health issues:
- High blood pressure
- Heartworm infection
- Thyroid disorders
Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Signs of heart disease can include the following symptoms:
- Abdominal distension
- Cold extremities
- Pale gums
- Decreased appetite
- Hind limb weakness or paralysis
- Weakened pulse rate
You should ensure that your vet regularly monitors the systolic blood pressure of cats over eight years old. Evidence of hypertension may arise from several factors, such as chronic renal disease and hyperthyroidism, or show that your cat is suffering from heart problems in general.
If your vet is concerned, they typically conduct an EKG and a heart ultrasound—the best diagnostic tools for determining age-related heart disease. However, your vet may employ several other tests, such as tests for taurine levels, thyroid level tests, and blood pressure analysis.
You can also manage heart disease in your senior Maine Coon by providing a specialized diet rich in taurine or provide taurine supplements. Low-sodium diets are also vital to managing heart issues in senior cats.
Age-Related Urinary Health
Aging also affects your Maine Coon’s bladder, and experts associate these bladder issues with an age-related increase in urine pH. Older cats produce more acidic urine, higher calcium content, and lower struvite levels (a combination of phosphate, ammonium, and magnesium).
When chemicals such as calcium oxalate and struvite collect in the bladder, they clump together and grow into stones, otherwise known as uroliths. These stones can form in several places, such as the kidneys or urethra, but most likely in the bladder.
Struvite stones occur most frequently in cats under seven, while calcium oxalate stones are frequent in cats 10-15 years old.
Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Most uroliths go undetected until the stone passes from the kidneys into the ureter, the tube that allows your cat to urinate. Then, the urine backs up and causes considerable pain, enlarges the kidneys, and eventually destroys the kidneys if left untreated. Signs include:
- Difficulty urinating
- Bloody urine
- Vomiting
- Straining to urinate
- Urination outside of litter area
If your cat shows symptoms of uroliths, your vet will likely conduct X-rays or ultrasound. If your Main Coon suffers from a large or obstructive urolith, they will undergo a cystostomy. This procedure involves the surgeon cutting through the abdominal wall and the bladder and removing the stone.
If the stones are not life-threatening, your vet will prescribe a diet with extra potassium to prevent bladder stone formation, and vitamin B6 also helps to avoid oxalate (kidney stone) formation.
Kidney Health Decline
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) often affects older cats. Studies suggest that CKD occurs in 28% of cats under 12 and as much as 80% of cats aged 15-20 years. CKD is not a disease in its own right but may have several contributing medical issues that bring about the chronic condition.
These conditions include the following:
- Genetic predisposition to kidney disease such as PKU mentioned above,
- Bacterial kidney infections
- Neoplasia or kidney tumors
- Viral infections such as Feline HIV and feline infectious peritonitis
- Kidney or ureter stones
Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Signs of kidney disease include the following:
- Weight loss
- Bad breath
- Decline in fur quality
- Increased thirst and urination
- Lethargy
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Your cat will also display an erratic appetite and loss of energy. Vets will conduct blood and urine tests to measure protein and creatinine levels. Chronic kidney disease is not curable, but you can slow the inevitable decline via various methods, such as the following:
- Diet: Diets rich in potassium and B vitamins help slow the progress of CKD.
- Antibiotics: Antibiotics treat signs of infection associated with CKD.
- Phosphate binders: These medications help reduce the elevated phosphorus levels CKD produces.
- Subcutaneous fluids: You may deliver hydration intravenously through the space under your cat’s skin to ensure they don’t dehydrate.
Musculoskeletal Decline in Older Maine Coons
Cats experience a decline in bone density and lean muscle mass as they age, a normal part of aging. Joint cartilage also deteriorates, leaving older cats susceptible to degenerative joint disease (DJD). This process begins to be evident after your Maine Coon reaches ten years and older.
Diagnosis, Prevention, and Treatment
Cats are particularly good at hiding pain, and you should watch for any changes in activity, sleep patterns, weight changes, and mobility issues. If your cat is experiencing symptoms of lean muscle decline, you might seek a specialized diet with extra protein and feed your older Maine Coon more frequently in smaller portions to aid digestibility.
Feline Age Related Oral and Dental Decline
Over time, Maine Coons dental condition may deteriorate as their dentin walls thicken and the teeth become yellowed or off-white. A plaque biofilm may form over teeth where your aging cat’s saliva mineralizes the plaque around their teeth.
While this condition isn’t always a sign of ill health, this plaque can cause gingivitis, allowing harmful bacteria to increase in the gingiva. This bacteria may incite the cat’s immune system to release substances that weaken and destroy the tissues around the cat’s teeth, resulting in periodontal disease.
Some studies report that as many as 68% of cats experience some form of dental disease over the age of three.
How to Diagnose and Treat Dental Disease
Signs that your Maine Coon may have dental disease include the following signs:
- Red, swollen gums
- Drooling
- Difficulty eating
- Plaque build-up
- Bleeding gums
- Loss of appetite
Depending on the severity and presentation of dental disease, your vet will conduct X-rays and blood or urine tests to screen for underlying conditions. You can help treat age-related dental conditions by gently introducing your cat to teeth brushing with an approved feline toothpaste.
You should also seek specialized senior food with the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal, which tests have proven to reduce plaque and tartar build-up.
In Conclusion
Proper nutrition and regular checkups are essential to a healthy senior Maine Coon and may prevent many of the medical issues associated with aging. Keep a keen eye on your cat’s regular behavior and note any changes in body weight, energy, or ill health.
Prevention is vital, and with proper care, there is no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy your Maine Coon well into their late teens. After all, Rubble, the longest-living cat in the world, was a Maine Coon—lived to the giddy age of 31 years!
