It’s an easy task to fall in love with the Manx cat—their bouncy personalities, communication skills, easy going temperament, and enjoyment of pets and children make them wonderful additions to most homes. Let’s not forget that tail—or lack of tail—that makes them stand out from most other cat breeds.
Unfortunately, this tailless trait is a gene mutation that can result in some other nasty health issues that the Manx cat breed tends to endure. All cat breeds, and animal breeds in general, are at risk of certain health issues. It’s important to be informed about the health issues the Manx breed commonly experiences so that you can make the best decision for your family or know how to best care for your Manx fur baby.
The 8 Common Manx Cat Health Problems
1. Spina Bifida
Spina Bifida, often referred to as Manx Syndrome, goes hand-in-hand with sacrococcygeal dysgenesis, which is what causes the stumped tail in Manx cats. It affects not only the spine but also the nerves. Spina Bifida, which has various types, can be symptomless, but it’s typically seen in kittens. Some symptoms you may see are malformations in the spine, limping, weakness in their back legs, lack of bladder and bowel control, constipation, seizures, paralysis, and swelling and infection in the spine.
This condition reduces a cat’s quality of life, and deliberately breeding a cat to have an absent tail is unkind and unethical. This tailless condition is caused by dominant genetic inheritance, meaning only one of the cats bred together needs to have the dominant gene responsible for this condition. Cats with less severe symptoms may have to undergo surgery, while cats with severe symptoms may need to be euthanized.
Therefore, it’s important to only consider Manx breeders that are ethical and educated about Manx health problems.
2. Corneal Dystrophy
The outer layer of the eye is called the cornea, and this is the layer that gets affected most in corneal dystrophies, which are commonly found in Manx cats because the breed is predisposed to them. It can be seen in kittens from as early as 6 months of age.
Unfortunately, the corneal disease usually affects both of the eyes and causes grayish opacities to appear in the cornea, resulting in vision loss, complete blindness, or pain depending on the corneal layer it affects. Treatment can range from antibiotics to surgery.
3. Feline Asthma
All cat breeds are at risk for Feline asthma; however, it’s commonly seen in Manx cats. It’s typically caused by an allergic reaction to an allergen your cat is sensitive to, such as dust, pollens, certain sprays, etc. It’s recurring and causes inflammation in your cat’s lungs and narrows their airways, resulting in coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Your cat may have persistent or episodic asthmatic symptoms.
Although any cat breed, age, or sex can develop feline asthma, certain breeds are predisposed to it, indicating that it could be inherited.
4. Fatty Liver Syndrome (Hepatic Lipidosis)
Unfortunately, this disease is common in cats, especially ones that are overweight. Manx cats are prone to gaining unhealthy weight and are in danger of this common health issue. Fatty Liver Syndrome occurs when an overweight cat stops eating for some reason. Fat is then moved to the liver to produce energy. The liver struffles with this influx of fat resulting in hepatitis and jaundice.
Cats suffering from this disease will experience weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, depression, yellow eyes and gums, drooling, and much more. If you notice these concerning symptoms, you need to take your cat to the veterinarian promptly to receive treatment.
5. Arthritis
Some Manx cats don’t necessarily fit the description of a tailless breed, as tail length varies throughout the breed. Likewise, not all tailed adult cats suffer from arthritis in their tails, but many do. Because of this, breeders still dock the tails of these kittens to avoid suffering from the condition later in their lives. In fact, the pain can be so bad that their tails may need to be amputated if they weren’t docked as kittens.
If you have a tailed Manx, look out for symptoms of arthritis in your cat. It’ll display itself as stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and pain in the tail.
6. Diabetes
It’s vital to watch your Manx’s diet because they’re prone to weight gain, which can lead to diabetes. Diabetes occurs when the cat’s body cannot turn glucose into an energy source. Diabetes can cause excessive thirst, urination, appetite, and weight loss, but it can also lead to life-threatening illnesses if not managed and controlled.
Unfortunately, just as the case with humans, diabetes in cats is on the rise because more and more cats are becoming obese. It’s important to monitor your Manx’s food intake and give them a healthy, nutritious diet in the right portion sizes.
7. Deafness
A condition that you may not notice right away in your Manx cat is deafness. Cats can hide their disability quite well, especially if they were born with it, which is usually the case with white Manx cats as it’s caused by a genetic defect. Over time, you may notice that your cat doesn’t respond to you, doesn’t wake up from noises, gets frightened much easier than other cats, and doesn’t react if they’re facing the other way.
Thankfully, deafness isn’t considered a serious health issue as it doesn’t indicate any underlying life-threatening health problems.
8. Mast Cell Tumors
Mast Cell Tumors can be found on the skin or internal organs of your Manx cat and can be of varying grades. Unfortunately, regardless of the type, they can reoccur. They’re commonly found on the head and look like hairless inflamed bumps. Manx cats are at slightly higher risk of mast cell tumors than other cat breeds.
If you find a suspicious bump on your cat’s head, body, or legs, take them to the veterinarian, as they’ll need to do tests to determine if it is a mast cell tumor and whether or not it’s cancerous.
How To Keep Your Manx Healthy
Some kittens may be born with certain health issues, and there isn’t much you can do to prevent symptoms. In the same way, your Manx cat may never experience any of these issues and live a happy and healthy life.
To lower your risk of taking home a cat with multiple health issues, only consider ethical breeders that have educated themselves on the breed’s health risks. Avoid kittens that have been deliberately bred from tailless cats that have the defective gene.
Regardless of your cat’s breed, take them to the veterinarian on an annual basis for a check-up as if any condition were to arise, your veterinarian would be able to diagnose and treat it early on, giving your cat a better prognosis.
To keep your Manx cat at a healthy weight, monitor their food intake, avoid giving them excessive amounts of treats, and feed them a nutritious diet.
Conclusion
As with all cat breeds, Manx cats are at risk of certain health issues. Some are serious conditions that may be life-threatening, while others can be lived with without too much discomfort. Although they’re at risk, it doesn’t guarantee that they will develop any health issues; however, an annual check-up at the veterinarian is recommended to ensure your cat lives a happy and healthy life.
Featured Image Credit: TheMetalDroid, Shutterstock
