I’d be concerned about the fact she was sold so young, especially if half MCO as they mature so slowly. Should’ve been with mum until at least 12 weeks, regardless.

I don’t personally see it — they may have been lying about who the father of the litter was even if the cat they claim is the father actually is actually pedigree; there are some broad strokes that could be from MCO ancestry, but could just as likely not be, especially with how small the muzzle is, as well as the eye shape. Will be easier to tell as the kitten gets older.

Has she been to the vet for a wellness exam? Given how young she was sold, I’d want to know whether she’s healthy (given good breeders don’t sell that young), though it’s generally a good idea to have a new cat or kitten checked out.

Assuming the MCO is the dad, is he HCM clear? Out of curiosity, do you have a photo of him?

 

I'd be more concerned about the fact she was sold so young, especially if half MCO (though I don't personally see it - they may have been lying about who the father of the litter was even if the cat they claim is the father actually is actually pedigree; there are some broad strokes that could be from MCO ancestry, but could just as likely not be. Will be easier to tell as the kitten gets older) as they mature so slowly. Should've been with mum until at least 12 weeks, regardless.

Has she been to the vet for a wellness exam? Given how young she was sold, I'd want to know whether she's healthy, though it's generally a good idea to have a new cat or kitten checked out.

Hi Maurey, thanks for the reply. She is going to the vets today for them to have a look at her. Yes I know 9 and a half weeks is young but we have another kitten so at least she is carrying on the socialising aspect.

She does have broad strokes and lots of ear hair which I cant get a good shot of because she wont stay still for very long.

This picture you can see them and they run to her neck which is covered in this photo. I thought their characteristics would be set by 9 weeks but you're saying they may come through in a few weeks and they may not? Her face is quite pointy.

 

She looks like a tabby moggy to me at the moment, more than anything. She could gain more characteristics as her skull matures, though I've some doubt, as there's nothing distinctly MCO about her at the moment. MCO are a slow growing breed, though - my 2 year old isn't fully grown/matured yet.

MCO aren't really known for pointy features on the head, aside from the ears.

Here are the only confirmed half-MCO I'm aware of (more exist, obviously, these are just the only ones I can vouch for). DSH father, pedigree MCO mother. They very obviously retain a good amount of MCO structure, despite the differences, like the strong muzzle and general eye shape and ear set, despite the top of the head being visually rounded, which is not acceptable in pedigree MCO. Notice the MCO like eye shape is present early on, as are the lynx tips (fur on tips of ears), and large muzzles start growing in fairly early.

Anyway, here they are as they grow, up to 4 months.

Crosses aren't going to be predictable in appearance, but well-bred MCO have very strong features which will tend to stay, even when paired to a moggy.

HCM is a hereditary heart condition. MCO should be tested for the gene, and have an ECG prior to breeding so there's minimal risk of having kittens with HCM born. Lack of the gene doesn't completely eliminate HCM risk, which is why ecg screening is important.

 

She looks like a tabby moggy to me at the moment, more than anything. She could gain more characteristics as her skull matures, though I've some doubt, as there's nothing distinctly MCO about her at the moment. MCO are a slow growing breed, though - my 2 year old isn't fully grown/matured yet.

MCO aren't really known for pointy features on the head, aside from the ears.

Here are the only confirmed half-MCO I'm aware of (more exist, obviously, these are just the only ones I can vouch for). DSH father, pedigree MCO mother. They very obviously retain a good amount of MCO structure, despite the differences, like the strong muzzle and general eye shape and ear set, despite the top of the head being visually rounded, which is not acceptable in pedigree MCO. Notice the MCO like eye shape is present early on, as are the lynx tips (fur on tips of ears), and large muzzles start growing in fairly early.

Anyway, here they are as they grow, up to 4 months.
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Crosses aren't going to be predictable in appearance, but well-bred MCO have very strong features which will tend to stay, even when paired to a moggy.

HCM is a hereditary heart condition. MCO should be tested for the gene, and have an ECG prior to breeding so there's minimal risk of having kittens with HCM born. Lack of the gene doesn't completely eliminate HCM risk, which is why ecg screening is important.

I agree with you there, you can clearly see those kittens have inherited the maine coon features very well.

I wouldn't say their ears are any different to her's though, you can see the long ear hair on her and the back and front of her neck has a maine coming through. But you're the expert not me.

In the first picture of her you can see that eat shape looks very Maine coone. I also see she has whiskers that are long and seem to be growing downwards like the ones in the picture you sent... I don't know if long pointing down whiskers is a feature of maine coons or not but hers seem to be going that way

I'll get an ecg done, thanks for the heads up

 

Boy should be neutered asap, cats can be done once they weigh 1kg. Unsure why you’re looking to put off neutering him so late. Cats are often reproductively mature by 5-6 months, but it’s been known to happen earlier. You don’t want him to start spraying or displaying sexual aggression.

If there’s legitimate aggression and not just play/ a bit of dominance you need to do a slower introduction. He’s a lot larger than her so he can bully her easily. You need to mediate so he can’t hurt her while she’s tiny.

 

Boy should be neutered asap, cats can be done once they weigh 1kg. Unsure why you're looking to put off neutering him so late. Cats are often reproductively mature by 5-6 months, but it's been known to happen earlier. You don't want him to start spraying or displaying sexual aggression.

If there's legitimate aggression and not just play/ a bit of dominance you need to do a slower introduction. He's a lot larger than her so he can bully her easily. You need to mediate so he can't hurt her while she's tiny.

I've got a whole month before he is 5 months old so that's okay. Yeah thanks I'm going to do a much slower introduction, she has her own room fully now I've just properly finished the prep. I'll go from non visual to slow visual introduction and see what happens from there.

Here is a closer look at her maine, maybe that'll come through somewhat? If you see her in real life you can see longer hairs on the back of her ears and neck that all standup and poke outwards

 

I'm confused about the point of testing for HCM at this late stage. I thought it was just for breeding purposes to prevent litters carrying the gene?

If you found your kitten did have the gene (keeping in mind that doesn't automatically mean they'll get HCM) what could you do about it other than having the vet listen to its heart in an annual check-up? Genuinely curious.

 

<snip>
having the vet listen to its heart in an annual check-up? Genuinely curious.

The vet should always try to listen to the heart at check-up time, however one of my cats will be purring so much they can't hear anything

 

with genetic testing, not much, just peace of mind, if you’re convinced that she has an MCO parent. MCO without the specific breed associated gene can still develop HCM, it’s just generally lower risk, especially if the parents were scanned prior to breeding. I personally wouldn’t bother testing the genes.

With ECGs, all the point in the world. If she develops a problem, the earlier it’s detected, the better, so it can be managed with medication.

HCM and other heart issues are hardly unheard of in randombreds/moggies, either, especially poorly bred/inbred ones, so no reason not to get some ECGs done when she gets a bit older to make sure her heart is healthy.

 

with genetic testing, not much, just peace of mind, if you're convinced that she has an MCO parent. MCO without the specific breed associated gene can still develop HCM, it's just generally lower risk, especially if the parents were scanned prior to breeding. I personally wouldn't bother testing the genes.

With ECGs, all the point in the world. If she develops a problem, the earlier it's detected, the better, so it can be managed with medication.

HCM and other heart issues are hardly unheard of in randombreds/moggies, either, especially poorly bred/inbred ones, so no reason not to get some ECGs done when she gets a bit older to make sure her heart is healthy.

I'm by no means convinced she has other than the long strokes that may or may not grow through in a few weeks and the massive ears. Do you suspect my cat is an inbred then from her features?

 

Thanks Maurey for clarifying. I'm guessing the vet would hear a murmur or some kind of irregularity, and if so, then an ECG would come into play.

It's just that the situation already sounds a bit stressful, so unless they're planning on breeding (hopefully not) then maybe the whole testing thing would be one less hassle to be concerned about.

 

It's just that the situation already sounds a bit stressful, so unless they're planning on breeding (hopefully not) then maybe the whole testing thing would be one less hassle to be concerned about

It's about preventative care. A GP vet may not be able to detect something with a basic tool that would be obvious on an ECG.

 

@Maurey: what wonderful photos!

 

@BradC we neuter our male kittens at 13 weeks old, a week after 2nd vaccination. The boys barely notice it.

 

Sorry but that's too early, you might do that but the general majority do not.

 

Ah, I see. So the Langford vets testing would be a good first step then. Thanks.

 

It’s not so much an increased risk, in itself. Entire males are just less likely to be stressed in such a way that is likely to trigger cystitis, but they can be. With really affectionate neuters that aren’t driven by hormones, things like separation anxiety are also more likely to occur. Enough stress and anxiety can trigger it in any cat, regardless of status.

Cystitis occurs in both male and female cats, yes. Female cats have a shorter and wider urethra, so it’s less likely to affect them on a clinical level. That said, my boys’ mother has had episodes of cystitis after her neuter, triggered by a huge amount of stress when her owner brought a new cat home.

Cats generally become more affectionate and laid back as neuters. My boy, Chips, is a former stud and still currently a show cat, and he was ridiculously affectionate for an adult entire back when he was with the breeder. He’s currently 4, still extremely playful, but loves nothing more than to curl up on me and have a cuddle. Main thing that changed for him, according to the breeder, was that he stopped spraying and his urine stunk less. Also became much less frustrated, as he had uh. Fairly high needs.
My girl was neutered before onset of sexual maturity, so she changed not at all, which is most typical for neutered kittens

 

Maine Coon or not your kitty is gorgeous! She looks adorable!

 

Thank you! I am very doubtful now she has any Maine Coon, even though I was told this and shown a picture of the father, she does have broad strokes on her all over her stomach, behind ears, and neck, maybe they'll grow through more but I highly doubt it

 

I saw the papers

I was told this and shown a picture of the father

Were you shown pedigree papers or a photo?
With MCO being a naturally derived breed it's not uncommon for some DLH to show some resemblance to the breed without having any pedigree behind them, also not uncommon for bybs to label their moggies as a breed.

she does have broad strokes on her all over her stomach, behind ears, and neck, maybe they'll grow through more but I highly doubt it

Not sure what you mean by broad strokes? If it's her tabby pattern markings that has little to do with breed.

Early neutering has also been safely done for decades.
Glad you have your boy booked in for a few weeks, cats often mature far quicker than owners realise.

 

Were you shown pedigree papers or a photo?
With MCO being a naturally derived breed it's not uncommon for some DLH to show some resemblance to the breed without having any pedigree behind them, also not uncommon for bybs to label their moggies as a breed.

Not sure what you mean by broad strokes? If it's her tabby pattern markings that has little to do with breed.

Early neutering has also been safely done for decades.
Glad you have your boy booked in for a few weeks, cats often mature far quicker than owners realise.

I will read this in a bit but here are the parents

 

Dont know how youd label the father but why are the eyes like that?

 

Hi,
@BradC
I am not seeing a strong resemblance to either parent. Your kittens ears do look a little bigger than usual but it is not uncommon for kittens to have bigger ears and then grow into them.
That may be the father or may not.
Was it an accidental mating and then I would wonder why they have two non sterilized adult cats in the house. It may be to make money.
Often breeders sterilize kittens before selling - so possible they own a castrated Maine Coon but call him the father when their domestic shorthair cat becomes pregnant.
Cats can also become pregnant to more than one male at a time. If the mother cat free roams then no idea on who the father or fathers of her kittens are.

 

Hi,
@BradC
I am not seeing a strong resemblance to either parent. Your kittens ears do look a little bigger than usual but it is not uncommon for kittens to have bigger ears and then grow into them.
That may be the father or may not.
Was it an accidental mating and then I would wonder why they have two non sterilized adult cats in the house. It may be to make money.
Often breeders sterilize kittens before selling - so possible they own a castrated Maine Coon but call him the father when their domestic shorthair cat becomes pregnant.
Cats can also become pregnant to more than one male at a time. If the mother cat free roams then no idea on who the father or fathers of her kittens are.

It's not just her ears, in person you can see long hairs scattered all over her, I cannot get that in the lighting, I highly doubt she will change appearance but I've been told it's possible.

I only saw one other kitten that looked very much like mine, I understand they do this kind of thing, he is supposedly pedigree. I threatened to report her and she apologised for not getting back sooner...

I know everybody is skeptical etc but let's assume for a moment she is telling the truth, can some kittens just inherit next to nothing from their parent? I can see a similarity between the father's eyes and her eyes...maybe I'm just looking into it but I never 4thought maine coons could have eyes like him..they do not look like typical maine coon eyes unless I'm wrong?

 

PS did you see the other kittens in the litter?

 

I'm hoping the little one does surprise me though and if she doesnt she's just so adorable in her own way, she's not typically goodlooking but she's cute

 

Oh she's sure is good-looking. Nothing to do with being a pedigree cat. There are plenty of beautiful moggies around.
Your kitty is a cutie

I just saw you said she is a he lol. Same thing happened to my bf's old cat. He was called Cleo because he wrongly thought he was a she at first. They kept the name all the same. Cleo was our previous cat. Now we have another moggy called Luna and she's a rescue.

 

This is the cat I was told I was getting ... I'm right aren't I, that's a different cat...

 

I think a different cat yes.

The various long hairs are probably kitten fluff. Your kitten looks short haired and usually the tail is a good indicator of future fluffiness.

The Maine Coon could be the father, as I think both parents must carry the gene for long hair to pass it on.

But I think these sellers seem a bit dodgy, so would not trust them on the father.

 

Okay so quick update after the vet examination, healthy and worm free. However one issue...

He's a boy. Yep a boy. I will love him for whatever he is, I'm the proud owner of a Tabby moggie, there we go lol

 

Haha. When you went "one issue..........."
I Just Knew!!! So what are you calling your lovely boy?

 

@BradC: Will you need to change your boy's name?:Cat

 

We still haven't decided on a name for him, he sleeps with us every night though he is so lovely. He has his part of the house and my other Male cat occupies that.

I want to integrate them so trying to get them used to each others scents, I don't know when the best amount of time is before I can let them together.

Bare in mind I set out to get a female friend for my male cat and have ended up with a boy... can you see why I'm slightly irritated . While I have room for a third, it's entirely out the question at the moment

 

She will have a long hair gene if she has one MC parent, but the shorthair gene from the moggy parent will override it (unless the moggy happens to be carrying long hair, which your kitten doesnt appear to have). Gorgeous anyway! :Kiss

 

Your kitten doesn’t look brachy, no. Don’t see anything “funny” or unusual about his appearance.
I never said there was anything wrong with wanting a female cat, just pointed out that male neuters get along perfectly fine with each other, so they’ll likely be fine companions once both neutered.

 

Your kitten doesn't look brachy, no. Don't see anything "funny" or unusual about his appearance.
I never said there was anything wrong with wanting a female cat, just pointed out that male neuters get along perfectly fine with each other, so they'll likely be fine companions once both neutered.

The vet said his belly was a bit swollen, which it is..., it seems to be going down slightly, I do believe I saw worms in his poop so I've added the worm mix to his food. He did listen to his heart and determined it was normal...I am quite concerned that he wasn't concerned about the belly, I want to know why it's slightly swollen, I dont want to find out he has enlarged organs...everything about his actions seems normal, he is very fast and playful.

I find it odd that you dont see anything strange about his appearance but I trust your judgement.

I've just never seen a cat with eyes like that and a small chin... that's why I was putting two and two together thinking he might have a condition that was all.