ANOTHER genetic disease/disorder???

SMA is a disorder caused by death of spinal cord neurons that activate skeletal muscles of the trunk and limbs. Loss of neurons in the first few months of life leads to muscle weakness and atrophy that first becomes apparent at 3-4 months of age. Affected kittens develop an odd gait with a sway of the hindquarters and stand with the hocks nearly touching. They may also stand with toes out in the front. By 5-6 months of age they are too weak in the hindquarters to readily jump up on furniture and often have a clumsy landing when jumping down

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Originally Posted by RoseHawke

Periodically I cruise through the boys' breeder's website to see what's up and what the newest batch of kittens may look like. She's been posting results of testing her breeding cats for "SMA" on her kittens available page. I had to admit despite my research and trying to be an informed Maine Coon owner, I hadn't even heard of this one!

From UCSD Comparative Neuromuscular Laboratory:

It appears to be a double recessive (if I'm understanding this correctly) so that BOTH parents must carry the gene for it to be expressed. Fortunately the boys' sire is negative for it so I don't have to worry about this

*whew.* I know this stud has also been tested for HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy,) PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) and HD (Hip Dysplasia) and is negative or clear on all of them.

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