Hereditary diseases of cats

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is an inherited neuromuscular disorder characterized by muscle wasting as a result of degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord. In mammals, SMA can have a variety of causes and vary in severity, ranging from mild weakness in adulthood to death in newborns. In Maine Coons, the first signs of SMA usually appear at the age of twelve weeks. Observed symptoms: lethargy, tremors, muscle weakness. Progressive atrophy of the proximal muscles leads to the fact that from the age of five / six months the kitten's gait becomes unstable and awkward, it is difficult for the animal to jump to a height and jump down. In the later stages, the distal muscles are also affected. An autosomal recessive mode of inheritance has been described for Maine Coon SMA. Both males and females are equally susceptible to the disease. Despite the progressive nature of SMA development, affected animals usually survive to seven to eight years of age.