Maine Coons and intestinal intussusception: breed predisposition and clinicopathological features

To evaluate Maine Coon predisposition to intestinal intussusception and compare clinical and biochemical features with non-Maine Coon cats.

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.

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).

Maine Coon shows a higher prevalence of intestinal intussusception, younger age, milder intestinal disease and lower short-term mortality.