Health
OUR PRINCIPLES
What We Do
Our health program is mainly tested against HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy), SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy), PK-Def (Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency), and HD (Hip Dysplasia). Related genetic testing, echocardiogram, and x-rays would be performed at the suitable age.
About HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)
"HCM is a type of heart disease that results in thickening or 'hypertrophy' of the heart muscle. HCM is the most common type of heart disease in cats and can be inherited or result from other predisposing health disorders." - Neogen’s GeneSeek Laboratory
Our Approaches
We would try our best to prevent HCM. All our cats’ HCM testing would be N/N, which gives the minimum insurance. Heart echocardiogram would be performed every 1-2 years to give better insurance. For boys, a heart echocardiogram would perform before any mating. For girls, the timing depends on their parents. Since there are sayings that girls usually would not show signs of HCM before 1.5 years old, for those whose parents are scanned clearly before, heart echo would be performed around 1.5 year old. However, for those whose parents are only tested, heart echo would be performed before any mating.
However ...
Since HCM can be led by many factors, and many remain unknown or unclear, we cannot guarantee that our offspring would not get HCM. All we can do is to make sure it’s not passed genetically, and provide related health guarantees.
*Please note that if you are not getting a ragdoll or maine coon, HCM genetic testing towards other breeds is most likely useless. There are only two mutations found, each for Ragdoll and Maine Coon (and a potential one for Sphynx). Other breeds require heart echocardiograms to check.
About SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy)
"SMA is a recessively inherited genetic disorder in Maine Coon cats caused by a mutation in the LIX1 gene. The disorder results in the loss of neurons (nerve cells) that affect muscles in the limbs. The result is weakness and instability in posture and gait. By about 5 months of age muscle atrophy, or shrinking of the muscles in the legs is evident. Although physically debilitated, cats can survive into adulthood." - Neogen’s GeneSeek Laboratory
About PK-Def (Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency)
"PK deficiency is a recessive inherited disease which was initially discovered in Abyssinian and Somali breeds, but can also affect random bred domestic shorthair cats. It is caused by a mutation in the PKLR gene which encodes the pyruvate kinase enzyme. Without this enzyme, erythrocytes (red blood cells) break down easily in circulation resulting in an abnormally low level of these cells (hemolytic anemia). Clinical signs include severe lethargy, weight loss, jaundice, and abdominal enlargement." - Neogen’s GeneSeek Laboratory
Our Approaches
For SMA and PK-Def, since the LIX1 and PKLR genes that cause the mutation are recessive, the bottom line is that our cats would be heterozygous. As our breeding program develops, we would try to keep all our cats N/N. However, in order to introduce more bloodlines, we may have cats that are carriers from time to time.
About HD (Hip Dysplasia)
"In a cat with hip dysplasia, the ball and socket are misaligned and loose, which prevents the femoral head from moving smoothly. This partial dislocation, called subluxation, causes the femoral head and the acetabulum to knock and grind against each other." - Cornell University
Our Approaches
For HD, this is more commonly seen on dogs. However, it’s noticeably more apparent in Maine Coon now. Probably people are paying more attention, probably some are intentionally breeding larger size cats. It’s believed that HD may be passed down genetically, but there’s no genetic testing for it. Therefore, x-rays would be performed by our vet and graded by OFA/Pawpeds. This would be done at around one year old of all our breeding cats.
We Like...
All our cats would be provided with dry food (Instinct ultimate protein, N&D, Origen) and freeze-dried raw (Vital Essentials, Primal, Stella & Chewy’s, Bixbi, etc.) 24/7. Kibbles that mainly contain fish would not be constantly fed, as many ingredients may be polluted, even though it’s quite good for fur quality. Canned food (various high quality brands like Ziwi, Feline K9, Origen, Wellness, Weruva, and much more!) or raw food (human-grade materials, self-made according to BARF) would be provided one to three times each day for more moisture. We strive to provide various foods from various resources to keep the diet more complete!
We Don't Like...
We don’t like to treat snacks (especially Churu) to our cats, in avoidance of them being picky, and we encourage pawrents not to do so. Freeze-dried snacks (liver, necks, etc.) may be given sometimes, for the purpose of training and cleaning teeth. We don’t like to give additional supplements to cats either, unless those are necessary for balanced raw food like taurine, and calcium if some specific cats don’t eat bones. It could be a burden for healthy cats. Instead, we feed egg yolk every week. It is natural, provides a great source of B12 and lecithin for better health and fur quality, and prevents fur building up inside the body..
About HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy)
"HCM is a type of heart disease that results in thickening or 'hypertrophy' of the heart muscle. HCM is the most common type of heart disease in cats and can be inherited or result from other predisposing health disorders." - Neogen’s GeneSeek Laboratory
Our Approaches
We would try our best to prevent HCM. All our cats’ HCM testing would be N/N, which gives the minimum insurance. Heart echocardiogram would be performed every 1-2 years to give better insurance. For boys, a heart echocardiogram would perform before any mating. For girls, the timing depends on their parents. Since there are sayings that girls usually would not show signs of HCM before 1.5 years old, for those whose parents are scanned clearly before, heart echo would be performed around 1.5 year old. However, for those whose parents are only tested, heart echo would be performed before any mating.
However ...
Since HCM can be led by many factors, and many remain unknown or unclear, we cannot guarantee that our offspring would not get HCM. All we can do is to make sure it’s not passed genetically, and provide related health guarantees.
*Please note that if you are not getting a ragdoll or maine coon, HCM genetic testing towards other breeds is most likely useless. There are only two mutations found, each for Ragdoll and Maine Coon (and a potential one for Sphynx). Other breeds require heart echocardiograms to check.