Maine Coons and intestinal intussusception: breed predisposition and clinicopathological features
M. Dainese, M. Petini, A. ZoiaObjectives
To evaluate Maine Coon predisposition to intestinal intussusception and compare clinical and biochemical features with non‐Maine Coon cats.
Materials and Methods
Cross‐sectional study (2004 to 2023) comparing Maine Coons with age‐, sex‐ and weight‐matched sick non‐Maine Coon controls. Moreover, Maine Coons and unmatched non‐Maine Coons with intestinal intussusception presented during the same period were also compared.
Results
A total of 371 sick Maine Coons were included. Age and sex were similar to matched controls, but Maine Coons were heavier (median difference 0.7 kg; 95% CI, 0.2 to 0.8), with lower body condition score (median difference 0; 95% CI, −1 to −1), lower serum cholesterol (median difference −11 mg/dL; 95% CI, −18 to −4) and higher simplified Feline Chronic Enteropathy Activity Index score (median difference 1; 95% CI, 0 to 1). Gastrointestinal diseases were more frequent in Maine Coons (25.2% vs. 11.1%; prevalence ratio 2.27; 95% CI, 2.2 to 3.17). Intussusception occurred in 18 Maine Coons, versus none of the controls (prevalence ratio 37; 95% CI, 2.24 to 611.74). During the same period, 12 non‐Maine Coons also presented with intestinal intussusception. Compared with them, intussuscepted Maine Coons were younger (median difference −89 months; 95% CI, −130 to 9), heavier (median difference 2.3 kg; 95% CI 0.8 to 3.9) and had lower serum cholesterol (median difference −44 mg/dL; 95% CI, −80 to −4). Maine Coons more often had idiopathic intussusception (33% vs. 0%; Cramér's V 0.57) and lower hospital mortality (6% vs. 42%; prevalence ratio 0.14; 95% CI, 0.02 to 1.00).
Clinical Significance
Maine Coon shows a higher prevalence of intestinal intussusception, younger age, milder intestinal disease and lower short‐term mortality.