Big Cat, Big Problems
I thought Thor's size was just impressive. Turns out, being a giant cat comes with a whole set of health issues I never considered.
The first hint something was wrong was during a routine checkup when he was three.
The Heart Murmur That Changed Everything
Dr. Martinez found a heart murmur during Thor's annual exam. She said it was probably nothing, but we should keep an eye on it.
Six months later, it was definitely something.
Thor needed an echocardiogram. Have you ever tried to get a 20-pound cat to stay still for a heart ultrasound? It's not fun for anyone involved.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The vet explained that Maine Coons are prone to this heart condition. Thor's heart muscle was getting thicker, making it harder to pump blood.
Now he's on heart medication twice a day. $200 a month for the pills, plus regular cardiac checkups every few months. Each visit costs about $400.
The scariest part? Some cats with this condition just drop dead without warning. Every morning I check to make sure Thor is still breathing.
Hip Problems in a Cat
I didn't even know cats could get hip dysplasia until Thor started walking funny.
He'd always been a graceful big guy. Then one day he seemed stiff getting out of his favorite sleeping spot. I figured he'd just slept wrong.
But it kept happening. The vet said large cats like Maine Coons can develop hip problems just like big dogs do.
The X-rays showed his hip joints weren't fitting together right. Treatment options for cats are limited compared to dogs. Mostly pain management and keeping his weight down.
Thor's on joint supplements now and a special diet. It's helping, but I worry about what happens as he gets older.
That Weird Muscle Thing
When Thor was a kitten, I noticed his back legs looked a little different. Not in a bad way, just... different.
My neighbor mentioned it looked like spinal muscular atrophy. I'd never heard of it before.
Turns out it's genetic in Maine Coons. It affects how their muscles develop. Thor isn't severely affected, but it might explain why he's always been less coordinated than other cats.
There's no treatment for it. Just monitoring to make sure it doesn't get worse. But knowing it's there makes me watch him more closely.
What Insurance Actually Matters for Maine Coons
After dealing with all of Thor's issues, I've got some strong opinions about Maine Coon insurance.
Heart Coverage Is Non-Negotiable
If your policy doesn't cover heart conditions, find a different policy. Seriously.
Thor's cardiac care is expensive and ongoing. The initial diagnosis workup cost over $1,000. Now we're looking at thousands per year in medication and monitoring.
Some insurers try to call heart problems hereditary and exclude them. Don't let them get away with that. Heart disease is common enough in Maine Coons that it should be expected and covered.
Size Matters for Coverage
I ran into weird issues with dosing because of Thor's size. Some policies have limits on medication costs that work fine for normal-sized cats but not for giants like Thor.
Make sure your policy doesn't have weight restrictions or dosing limits that would penalize you for having a big cat.
Also, some vets charge more for procedures on large cats. Thor's dental cleaning cost extra because he needed more anesthesia. Your policy should account for that.