Manx Cat Myths

Someone you know has turned up with a tailless cat. You’ve never seen anything like this, so you inquire as to how it happened. You discover it’s a Manx cat, they got it from a shelter, friend or in the paper. The shelter, friend or person in the paper told them it was a Manx cat based on it being tailless. The Manx cat is known to have no tail. They may also have a stubby tail or a full tail. (Tailed Manx are very important in a breeding program, they give it stability and soundness.) Tailless and some stubby tailed versions the hind legs are longer than its front legs. Tailless Manx sometime hop when running instead of having a normal gate like tailed cats.

You research the breed on the internet. You discover the tailless cat you thought was a Manx cat might not be an actual Manx cat. You learn that not every tailless cat is a Manx cat. In fact, the genetic mutation which causes the Manx breed cat to be born without a tail can happen in “any cat” spontaneously. This happening in “any cat” doesn’t default that cat or its offspring born without tails a Manx breed cat. Shelters, back yard breeders and even Veterinarians are the largest source of spreading the myth about all tailless cats being Manx.

Manx Syndrome: The Myths and Truth

The following article was written by twenty-five-year Manx breeder Sherman Ross, BS Eng. Phy., MS Ed, President, American Manx Club, technical consultant to Karen Commings for Manx Cats: (Complete Pet Owner’s Manual), (Barons, 1999) and Joanne Mattern for The Manx Cat, (Capstone Press, 2003). (Article courtesy of Dick Cullen, Blarney Manx.)

Manx Syndrome is a subject of great concern to all lovers of the Manx breed. It is fraught with emotion, steeped in misinformation, and perpetuated by the ignorant. Perhaps some light can be shed on this subject by comparing some of the myths of Manx Syndrome to the actual truth.

The Myth: Manx Syndrome is any of several birth defects related to the Manx gene and afflicting the Manx breed.

The Truth: There is no common definition of what Manx Syndrome is. All of the conditions commonly called Manx Syndrome occur in other breeds of cat and other species of animals. Therefore, these conditions cannot be linked to the Manx gene.
The Myth: Manx have shorter backs than other cats because they have fewer vertebrae. This leads to severe neurological problems.

The Truth: The Manx gene does not affect the spine above the pelvis. The gene causes the cat to have fewer caudal vertebrae causing a shorter tail. Manx have the same number of vertebrae in the upper spine as any other cat.

The Myth: Spina Bifida is a Manx condition.

The Truth: Spina Bifida is a condition found in all animal species that have spines. It is caused by the neural tube that forms the spine not closing completely in the fetus. It is not related to the Manx gene. It has been shown to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. In humans, the environmental trigger is insufficient folic acid during pregnancy. The environmental factor in cats is not known. Some Veterinarians have bred Manx with Spina Bifida in their genes and related it as a Manx Syndrome. This is really bad science. However, unfortunately, since it was published in a Veterinary Journal, many vets believe this.

The Myth: Urinary and fecal incontinence is a part of Manx Syndrome. It is due to insufficient nerve endings.

The Truth: Incontinence occurs in all breeds of cats; it is not related to the Manx gene. There is no diagnostic for missing nerves except extremely careful and complete autopsy. Incontinence is related to spina bifida. NOTE WELL: Not all spina bifida is visible externally. In all probability, most cases of incontinence in the Manx are related to spina bifida.

The Myth: The homozygous rumpy is an automatic lethal and is never born.

The Truth: The Manx gene for taillessness is a variable expression gene. This type of gene is also called an incomplete dominant. The gene is always present, but always variable. It acts very much like the white spotting or bicolor gene. Homozygous rumpy is in fact a meaningless term.

The Myth: It is necessary to use tailed Manx in the breeding to prevent Manx Syndrome.

The Truth: This is demonstrably untrue. A good MANX breeder can point to sound healthy Manx without tails in the pedigree for six generations. A much more important consideration is the length of the upper spine. Breeding excessively for shorter bodies causes the individual vertebrae in the upper spine to be shorter. Bred to the extreme, this causes problems in any breed.

Manx Cat Facts

Manx are very affectionate with a high intelligence level. The breed is unique and becoming rare. There aren’t many Manx cats or breeders to be found anymore. The Manx cat gene pool is getting small. Breeders have imported cats from The Isle of Man to bring new blood into Manx cat gene pools.

Registered Manx breeders are finding back yard breeders passing off their domestic tailless cats as Manx based on appearance. It’s happening increasingly and therefore have sought to educate individuals about the true Manx breed cat. Registered breeders refer to tailless cats with unknown origin as domestic tailless or knock offs. There are several cat breeds with shortened tails, one can’t assume a cat is a Manx due to its shortened tail or lack of tail. Domestic tailless cats are not bred selectively, therefore can often have many health issues. The genetic mutation which causes the Manx breed to be born tailless has limitations, there can be health complications in some cats who carry it that are not monitored how they are bred.

A registered Scottish Fold breeder once approach me at a cat show to share a story about a kitten born in one of her registered litters that had been born without at tail. This is caused by a spontaneous genetic mutation, this happening does not default that kitten to being a Manx cat, either. This is because Manx cats are cats with origin to the Isle of Man and that is the only thing that makes them Manx cats.

I have had many instances where people contact me about their domestic tailless cat with heart wrenching stories. The outcome can be heart breaking and often is the same. They thought they were doing something good by adopting a homeless or shelter animal or perhaps even saving a few bucks by picking up a tailless, knock off that was unregistered and much less than a registered Manx cat. Bottom line is, if you want a Manx cat your best choice is to purchase one from a reputable, registered Manx breeder who knows the health history of both parents. Choose a breeder who is actively enrolled in the Breed Club and Breed Council, they will be most informed on the breeds standard and be looking to produce kittens that represent the breed best for shows. Registered breeders take great pride in their breeding programs and offspring, they don’t sell their Manx kittens to pet stores, allow their cats to be used in back yard breeding programs or end up in shelters. They have an adoption contract with a written health guarantee, require the cat be returned if things don’t work out. Your breeder ideally should be there long after the adoption is complete. Good breeders place their cats spayed or neutered or have an altering clause in their contract. They may withhold the registration papers until proof is supplied of spay or neuter. You can expect not to be permitted to declaw these cats, this is very inhumane and painful. How would you like your fingers cut off at the first knuckle? Since there are many dangers most pet owners are not aware of for cats outside. You can expect your breeder to never allow their cats to be outside cats.

“Owning a Manx cat is one of the most enjoyable pleasures in my life. Once you’ve owned by a Manx, your life will never be the same without one in it.”

Author: Karen Weaver

 

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