I have a silver tabby neutered male Maine Coon Cat...he will be two years old this month. He appears to have nasal congestion and now developed patches of an excema type skin disorder over his eyes and around his ears. He also looses his breath quite easily. I am about to bring him to my vet for the skin disorder. The nasal congestion and sneezing has been with him since he was a kitten. This does not concern my vet. We did have a cardiologist ultrasound his heart - we thought the lack of stamina was heart related, but he was fine. My question is could someone familiar with this breed write me to let me know what health issues are common. I believe he has allergies...has anyone tried alternative natural medicines. Mackie is a wonderful cat, very loving and talks constantly. He carries socks and other items around the house - he is also in love with the sink and talks to his water before drinking. Are these normal characteristics?

-- Anonymous, August 02, 1999

Answers

My Maine Coon was having wheezing and coughing attacks. My vet diagnosed it as an allergy or maybe asthma. He was giving him regular cortisone shots. I switched from clumping litter to Feline Pine and then to Litter Pearls. When I got rid of the clumping litter the wheezing stopped! My cat is high maintenance too. He broke his heel and his back leg on two separate occasions just from jumping around inside the house! Good luck!

-- Anonymous, August 25, 1999