u/perino33

So I just got this guy home from the vet today and he has been diagnosed with juvenile gingivitis, He's only 13 months old.

So I knew about HCM and hip dysplasia with these guys. But somehow I must have missed the gingivitis thing and periodontals disease.

Which apparently upon research is not that uncommon among Maine Coons and actually one of the breeds that it is most prone to besides Siamese. Just my luck LOL 😂

Usually occurs between 6 to 12 months of age when they're adult teeth are coming in and caused by an overstimulation of plaque growth At the gum line. Apparently there are some cats that can grow out of this condition, but my vet said that it was highly unlikely and that it would have to be treated with 3 to 6 months regular teeth cleanings or more likely tooth extraction. Which of course, as you know would require blood work each time as well as anesthesia.

He saw two teeth on either side of the upper jaw that were slightly red and inflamed At the gum line.

He seemed to think that tooth extraction of those two teeth would be more effective , Or perhaps necessary once they get in there than Just regular cleanings. 🦷

I noticed that he had been slightly sloppy with his food eating more recently and would have occasional dry kibbles drop off the sides of his mouth But not overly so. But never really showed any sign of pain and eating and is a great eater. But

I knew this could be a sign of tooth pain so I didn't want to take any chances and took him into the vet and sure enough he has juvenile gingivitis.

Apparently not severe yet. Just mild but possibly enough to require a couple teeth to be extracted?

Just curious if anyone else has had this situation with their MCS and if so How did things turn out?

Thanks

This is Achilles, one of my MC boys, just turned 1 year old.

Would love some advice or tips on getting this big guy to "let "me brush his belly.

I can brush him anywhere else. His head, his tail, his sides, his rear end even,,,all good ,, but not the belly.

Naturally, I'm sure as most of you fellow mc owners know, The belly and under the pits is primarily where these mats develop.

I've tried just about everything I know, treats before after and even during.

He's not having it .lol

Using all the proper grooming tools including soft slicker brushes and grooming comb , Even the mat splitter type which really doesn't do anything but pull harder on the mats .

He doesn't get them bad but they'll get that way if he refuses to allow me to brush on a regular basis on his belly parts.

This guy is big already, 18 lbs with hind leg muscles like a power lifter.

I live alone , So trying to hold him while brushing his underbelly at the same time is a monumental feat.

I even called a professional cat groomer who told me with certain cats They have no choice but to scruff them.

Of course, I know that only works on young kittens and you're not supposed to do it on adult cats. But needless to say he already seems stressed enough with Just me trying to get the mats out with a comb or a brush. I'm not going to scruff him.

I eventually took him to my groomer, held him while the groomer shaved his belly and arm pits, to my shock he acted like a different cat. He didn't struggle. He didn't meow. He didn't try to get away. I don't know if it was the fear of a new location or perhaps dogs barking in the background, That there was no struggle, Maybe he was just scared. I don't know but he even let him brush him with me holding him after the shaving part was over .

A week later I thought I might get lucky and try brushing his belly myself and of course he acted like I was going to kill him.lol

Since he's only a year, I know this is just the beginning of his full coat coming in over next few years .

Really don't want to think about having to take him to the groomers once a month for a belly shave for years to come .

Should also add the belly grooming sessions are always short, maybe 30 seconds to one minute.

As soon as he feels a tug on a mat which is inevitable he starts to fidget. That's usually when I have to let him go, If not, he's sliced me up Pretty good with those back murder mittens of his , one time leaving a 7 in long gash across my chest and belly.

Don't get me wrong,,,he's a sweet guy ,love him to death, not aggressive, very affectionate,,, Just not with the belly grooming ..LOL

The trust bond is very important to me ,mc' s are not like other cats , very smart and intelligent,,,I feel like I'm risking our friendship every time I attempt a belly brush.🥺

P.S. my other boy mc who is 1 year also has fur like silk, no mats , loves the brush , So I'm lucky there. LOL

So one of my Maine Coons who has just turned a year old is full of energy when we play with wand toys etc,,,

He gets so excited and runs and jumps pretty hard but then starts panting after Maybe maybe 10 or 15 minutes of kind of play.

My question is is this normal?

Once he's relaxed and we stop playing, it does last for a few minutes afterwards but then he returns to normal.

I also have another male Maine Coon was also just 1-year-old. He does not pant when he plays but then again he doesn't play any were near as hard as the cat in question.

Of course, as a worried cat Dad, my first thought goes to HCM.

But doing some research it isn't apparently that uncommon for a cat or kitten who plays very hard to pant for short period of time after.

And again he is full of energy when he plays. It's crazy jumping running so it's not like just typical slow play when he does the panting ,, he goes all out so to speak LOL