🧬 Entropion in Maine Coon Cats — Let’s Talk Honestly

Veterinary ophthalmology experts note that entropion is commonly seen in Maine Coons. But the exact mode of inheritance in this breed is not understood, but a familial predisposition is suspected.

In other words: everyone is guessing — no one truly knows.

But when something happens, the breeder is usually blamed.

I don’t like surprises. I’ve spent years learning how to raise healthy animals — and now I teach others to do the same. So I decided to look into entropion seriously, and understand what’s really going on.

Let’s clarify:

Is this a genetic disease? A predisposition? Or something else entirely?

📖 Terminology: Genetic Disease vs. Hereditary Predisposition

These are not the same thing, and confusing them is a mistake.

1. Genetic Disease

A genetic disease has a clearly identified cause: a specific gene mutation.

✅ Features:

• There is a DNA test that confirms it

• It follows a known inheritance pattern (dominant or recessive)

• It can be proven to pass from parents to offspring

• A responsible breeder can test for it and eliminate it from their lines

Examples:

• HCM (Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – MYBPC3 gene)

• SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy)

• PKDef (Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency)

There are 49 known genetic diseases in standard feline testing panels.

🧬 I test my breeding cats for all of them. But entropion is not one of them.

2. Hereditary Predisposition

This is a completely different concept. It’s not a disease, but a tendency.

📌 It means:

• A condition is seen more often in a breed or line

• But the exact gene is unknown

• There is no test

• Inheritance is not understood

• Physical traits like skull shape, hormones, or skin tension might play a role — but there is no proof

🔎 This is exactly the case with entropion.

🧠 What do the veterinary authorities say?

According to:

• Merck Veterinary Manual

• Cornell Feline Health Center

• American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO)

“Entropion in cats can be primary (developmental) or secondary to trauma, inflammation, or infection. The genetic basis in cats is unconfirmed.”

📌 In simple terms: – Yes, it appears more often in Maine Coons

– Yes, there is a suspected link to breed type

– But:

→ There is no test

→ The inheritance mechanism is not known

→ It can also be acquired from other causes

⚠️ Common Causes of Entropion:

🔹 Eye inflammation or infection

– Especially in kittens, where tissue is still developing

– This can cause the eyelid to contract inward temporarily

🔹 Trauma

– A fall, scratch, rough handling, stress

– Especially in young cats with soft tissue

🔹 Vitamin and mineral deficiency, especially:

– Taurine (for muscles and eyes)

– Vitamins A, E, B-complex

– Zinc, copper, calcium

🔹 Anatomical structure

– Large jowls in intact males

– Heavy skin folds

– Deep-set eyes or broad skull structure

🧩 The Truth:

Entropion can develop from multiple factors.

No one can definitively say whether it is hereditary or not.

If it were a clearly genetic disease: – There would be a DNA test

– It would be regulated in breeding

– The inheritance would be clearly defined

But none of that exists.

So — blaming the breeder has no scientific basis.

🧑‍⚕️ What is a breeder actually responsible for?

✅ A responsible breeder should:

– Use only healthy animals in breeding

– Never include in a breeding program any animal that has undergone surgery for entropion

– Monitor offspring health

– Be open and honest with buyers

❌ But no breeder can be held responsible for:

– A condition that has no test

– No proven pattern

– And that may be caused by external factors in the new home

📌 Final Conclusion

There is no valid reason to accuse the breeder of causing entropion.

– It is not a genetically confirmed disease

– There is no test

– There is no scientific consensus

– Many other causes are possible

– It is more fair — and more accurate — to accept that entropion in Maine Coons is a risk that comes with the breed, not a failure of the breeder.