About viruses and diseases
A properly grown and fed Maine Coon is a fairly strong and healthy animal. I would say that the proper nutrition of a Maine coon is 80% of the guarantee of its health.
Nevertheless, this breed is also characterized by a number of dangerous genetic diseases. The FIFE system includes polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and cardiomyopathy (HCM).
In many European and self-respecting Russian nurseries, producers are required to pass genetic tests for these and other dangerous inherited diseases. However, tests for Maine coon cardiomyopathy do not provide a complete guarantee that the animal is not a carrier of this dangerous disease. The fact is that modern science makes it possible to analyze only mutations of four of the nine genes responsible for the carriage of cardiomyopathy.
The main problems of nurseries include rhinotracheitis (herpesvirus infections caused by Herpesviridae), calicivirus (Feline Salicivirus FCV virus), Feline coronavirus enteritis (Feline enteric coronavirus FECV) and feline infectious peritonitis (Feline infectious peritonitis virus FIPV). Recommendations for the detection of cat diseases with these viruses, methods of treatment and prevention can be found on the Internet, in veterinary books and reference books. It seems to us the most logical view of the problems of respiratory viral infections, set out in the works of English practicing veterinarians R. M. Gaskell, M. Bennett (E. A. Chandler, K.J. Gaskell, R. M. Gaskell "Cat diseases", Moscow, "Aquarium"), who consider gingivitis, stomatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, etc. infections secondary, provoked by the activity of rhinoviruses and herpesviruses. Many veterinarians cannot achieve success in the treatment of secondary infectious diseases of the eyes, nose, oral cavity, in our opinion, largely due to their incorrect diagnosis, considering them independent, and not caused by the activity of herpesviruses, rhinoviruses and caliciviruses. The result of treatment, which is reduced to the fight against secondary infection, is the transition of calicivirosis, rhinotracheitis and coronavirus infection into a chronic form. This is the problem of many nurseries in our country and abroad. In the treatment of acute and chronic calicivirosis and rhinotracheitis, vaccination of Maine coon with live vaccines (Nobivac TriKet Trio or Purevax) gives good results every six months. If the animal has previously been vaccinated with another vaccine, then it should be vaccinated as for the first time (with revaccination after 3 weeks). In the treatment of gingivitis, which is a consequence of chronic carriage of calyci or rhinoviruses or mono-disease with herpesvirus, the amino acid L-Lysine has proven itself well.
At the end of the 20th century, scientists managed to discover the unusual properties of L-Lysine, which allow this amino acid to actively fight viruses that cause herpes and acute respiratory infections. Numerous studies have proven that lysine contributes to the lengthening of the recurrent interval in various types. Studies have shown that daily intake of L-Lysine by people with herpes leads to a 2-4-fold reduction in relapses.
In parallel, L-Lysine began to be used in veterinary practice, as an additive to the diet of cats. The mechanism of action of L-Lysine is based on the "mistake" that the herpes virus makes during reproduction. As soon as the herpes virus enters the body, it begins to multiply actively. To do this, it needs particles of cells of our body, and the main building material for new viruses is the amino acid Arginine. According to their chemical properties and structure, these two amino acids are absolutely identical. The herpes virus cannot distinguish them from each other, so it begins to grow new viruses not from Arginine, but from L-Lysine. Viruses grown on L-Lysine are not viable and die very quickly, as a result of which the development of the disease is suspended. But this effect is achievable with a sufficient amount of L-Lysine reserves in the cells of the body. That's why I give the amino acid L-Lysine to my animals daily throughout their lives. L-Lysine is also a part of good dry food. But, in my opinion, this amount is not enough for Maine Coon.
To successfully combat any viral infections, I recommend that everyone first of all get rid of pathogenic mycoplasmas and chlamydia, protozoa and worms. Mycoplasmas, chlamydia, helicobacteria and other pathogenic bacteria weaken the cat's immunity, contribute to the penetration of other pathogenic infections into the body. Mycoplasmas are the "transport" of viruses, carrying them through the animal's body. About worms and protozoa, I think there is no need to provide additional information here. To combat mycoplasmas, chlamydia, protozoa and worms, we successfully use the drug ASD-2 fraction in our nursery.
ASD-2 (fraction) is a veterinary drug with a pronounced antiseptic and stimulating effect. Its inventor is the Soviet scientist A. S. Dorogov. This drug is a product that has an animal origin. It is synthesized by the thermal decomposition process of animal tissues, organic raw materials. The drug has a dual purpose. It is used as an antiseptic and stimulant. In this regard, it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, antibacterial effect on a living organism. Once in the body, it is not rejected by the cells of the body, since it is completely identical to the cellular structure. Therefore, it easily penetrates into tissues without having any side effects. With its help, the hormonal background is restored and normalized. There is a recovery of the peripheral nervous system. Taking ASD-2 actively affects the immune system, thereby increasing the body's defenses.
The drug activates metabolic processes in the body, normalizes its work at the cellular level, significantly improving the condition of all organs, systems and tissues. I start giving ASD-2 to kittens from the age of two weeks, adding it to the milk mixture, which I use for supplementary feeding. For teenagers and adult animals, for preventive purposes, we add ASD-2 to drinking water (1 ml of ASD-2 per 1 liter of water). Additionally, every month for three consecutive days, each animal is watered through a syringe with 5 ml of the composition: 1 ml of ASD-2 per 50 ml of water. When conducting such courses, the need for the use of anthelmintics (which are essentially poisons and unsafe for the animal) is significantly reduced.
It should be noted that in most cases, environmental factors, such as a balanced diet, as well as the absence of crowding and constant stress, play a decisive role in the development of certain cat diseases. Monotonous nutrition, lack or imbalance of vital substances in the cat's body can lead to the development of such serious diseases as cardiomyopathy (regardless of the genetic carrier of this disease), retinal degeneration leading to complete blindness, urolithiasis, impaired development of the bone system, etc. Therefore, we at the nursery consider it extremely important to develop a balanced diet for our pets, as well as providing them with all the necessary vitamins and amino acids.
About vitamins
In my Maine Coon nursery, I use calcium in the form of calcium carbonate. "Sea calcium" or "Mountain Calcium" of the company "Evalar" is best suited. Calcium should be given in proportion to the raw meat eaten: for every 100 g of meat eaten by a cat, 150 mg of calcium carbonate should be accounted for. You can read about the importance of calcium-phosphorus balance in the cat's body in our article CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS AND THEIR ROLE IN CAT NUTRITION
If there are no natural meat ingredients in the diet of your Maine Coon and you feed it with modern holistic feeds, then there is no need for additional calcium intake.
Taurine is an essential amino acid for cats, the importance of which cannot be overestimated. Taurine deficiency leads to retinal degeneration and cardiopathy. It is part of the preparations "DIBIKOR" or "Multivitamin treat for cats" of the company "CEVA". You can read about the importance of taurine in the cat's diet in our article CATS' NEED FOR VITAMINS AND AMINO ACIDS
To assimilate proteins and fats obtained from food, to activate the biochemical reaction to convert carbohydrates into glucose, which provides the body with energy, I use the "B-COMPLEX" of the company "Multi-tabs".
For the growth and development of the cat's body, for the normal condition of the skin, vision and coat, I recommend products that include biotin. Biotin (vitamin H) is necessary for the synthesis of keratin — the most important basic substance of wool, claws and skin. Biotin promotes skin elasticity, softness and density of wool, shine and good pigmentation. In addition, biotin improves the functional state of the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract, which has a positive effect on the appearance and health of the animal. Unfortunately, regular food does not contain biotin in sufficient quantities, so I recommend using biotin-containing vitamin complexes. The preparations Beaphar Laveta Super and Beaphar Bea Vit Total have proven themselves well. They can be added to food or water.
For the growth and development of the animal, to support its physical health, to saturate the body with natural micro- and macroelements "KELP SEA CABBAGE" of the company "Evalar" (Russia) or any other tablet form of seaweed, you can also use the veterinary drug "HELAVIT".
If it is necessary to correct the intestinal and stomach microflora (poisoning, diarrhea, after antibiotic treatment), I use the veterinary probiotic "LACTOFERON".
I start giving vitamins to kittens from the age of one month and continue the entire period of active growth.
About vaccinations and vaccines
Currently, there is no unified position of veterinarians and breeders on vaccinations. By analogy with humans, many experts reasonably believe that vaccinations, at least, inhibit the development of their own immunity in animals. There is a reasoned opinion that it makes sense to vaccinate in the first months of life, but there is no point in revaccinations. The official position of veterinary authorities is known to everyone: vaccinations are necessary and they should be done regularly. Whether I like or dislike this approach, but to argue with him (given the orthodox stupidity of Russian veterinary officials, as well as all others) I can't, because otherwise I won't be able to attend any exhibitions, my Maine Coons won't be able to leave the city. Therefore, I regularly vaccinate all my Maine Coons, both old-timers and kittens. I want to note right away that if you have purchased a Maine Coon as a pet, you do not need to be vaccinated in a state veterinary clinic. This service costs about the same there as in a private clinic, but in a rare case your Maine coon will get a full dose of the vaccine. I have repeatedly observed how up to four kittens are vaccinated with one dose of the vaccine. And once there was an anecdotal case: an "experienced" veterinarian took a kitten for vaccination and tried for 40 minutes to find in the instructions for the drug what dose he needed to enter, complaining at the same time that she had not captured her notes. So, so that such anecdotal cases do not happen to you, I advise you to vaccinate your pets in private clinics.
10 days before vaccination, be sure to carry out deworming.
It should be borne in mind that modern immunology does not stand still. In advanced countries, vaccines are constantly being improved, so it makes no sense to "bind" to one, since the virus strains used in it are becoming obsolete. Until recently, I vaccinated all my animals with the domestic Multifel vaccine.The Multifel-4 vaccine (Narvak, Russia) is made from inactivated antigens of viral panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis, calicivirus infection and chlamydia of cats. Immunity is formed on the 14th- 21st day after vaccination. The duration of immunity is at least 12 months.
If there are problems with the chronic carrier of herpes and calicivirus infections, then the use of live vaccines gives good results. I recommend the modern French vaccine company "Merial" - Purevax (Purevax), as well as the vaccine produced by the Netherlands Nobivak Tricat Trio (Triket). Unlike Multifel and Leukorifelin, which contain inactivated antigens, Purevax and Triket contain weakened (attenuated) strains of viruses of panleukopenia, leukemia, chlamydia, rhinotracheitis of cats. The anti-calicivirus component contains two of its modern (the most common in Europe) inactivated strains. For reference, I note that modern vaccines do not use "live" (active) strains of calicivirosis, since there is a great danger of developing this dangerous disease. In addition, Purevax does not cause inflammation at the injection site, since it does not contain adjuvants (excipients).
Vaccination against rabies in our country is mandatory (annually) for all domestic cats. Vaccination is difficult for kittens to tolerate, so we do not recommend doing it earlier than one year if you are not going to travel outside the city with a cat or go to an exhibition. Revaccination should be carried out according to the European scheme - once every two years.
A source: https://www.oldbluzcoon.com