I have an 8 month old pure bred Maine Coon; weighing 15lbs. He is an absolute doll. I have a health concern--can anybody relate to this? He pants like a dog if he is playing hard or running. We took him to the vets and they first prescribed an antibiotic after taking an xray. It was determined he had a "change" in his lung airways. Possibly an infection. Well, no response after the antibiotic. Now, we are in the process of giving him lung worm medication for 5 days. If he does not stop panting after this, next is a lung biopsy; if this doesn't show anything, then off to a lung specialist. I was just wondering if anyone out there has seen this panting in their cat; Maine Coon or other breed, and if so, what was the prognosis? Thank you.

-- Anonymous, May 08, 1999

Answers

My Maine Coon "Tubby" is 9 months old, he also pants, I thought it was normal for Maine Coons. He is happy and plays all day long with my Siamese "Ragga". I really don't think there is anything to worry about at all.

Andy.

-- Anonymous, May 11, 1999

Maine Coons are cold weather cats. Mine panted whenever it was warm outside (high 70's), so we would put the air conditioner on for him in the summer

-- Anonymous, May 18, 1999

Dear Sue, That is normal behaviour for a kitty or any animal, or any person after playing hard. I don't understand the vet, but you do have to be careful of some vets doing unnecessary testing. I would suggest you take your kitty to a different vet, one that the other vet hasn't discussed this with. Tell him your kitty is out of breath and panting after playing hard. You could say you wanted another opinion to what the other vet has said about your kitty. Would be worth it if your kitty didn't really need a lung biopsy!

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999

If your boy is panting enough to worry you, you might want to get an echosonogram done of his heart; I'm no medical expert but I do know that this sort of panting is one of the few symptoms of HCM, a heart problem, and eliminating the risk might ease your mind.

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999

I would have to agree with Ann Mary and do either an ultrasound or echo on his heart. Did the x-ray taken show any abnormalities in the heart, ie. enlargement? Is there a heart murmur? I would want to know the answers to these questions before offering any other thoughts.

Abbey Jones

-- Anonymous, May 20, 1999