kitten with manx syndrome, any advice?

dragonfly183

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
48
Purraise
1
Location
Arkansas
This adorable little kitten followed my daughter and her friend home. Someone dropped it off. Its a tailless cat with what appears to be manx syndrome. Thats when the genetic defect that causes tailless cats to be tailess is so severe that they loose control over there bladder and poop function (I can't remember what the name for the second one would be but poop function explains it). I brought him inside and observed him for 24 hours to make sure he didn't have coccidia (have dealt with that before in another abandoned baby) and his poopie is usually solid. I've gone back and forth on weather or not I should have it put to sleep. It plays with my other cats and my foster mommy kitty has already adopted him and seems healthy other than this.

I do clean him twice a day. I pick him up and wash off his little behind once before I go to work and after. His anus and the other parts back there always seem swollen and irritated despite my best efforts. The worst part is the poopie. Since he has no control over it it just kind of slides out a little bit at a time over an extended period. Sometimes I put a glove on and help him push it out (not appreciated at all).

Does anyone else have any ideas. I've thought about diapers to keep the urine and feces off of his back legs. I've seen this done with a cat that had severely disabled back legs (check you tube for cripple kitten Alera).

I've thought about enemas too. Does anyone have any advice? He's so adorable with those extra long back legs. He makes me think of a rabbit. and such an interesting color took. He's one of those funky colors thats a mix of brown and black and white all blended together.
 

mews2much

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
13,424
Purraise
27
Location
Central Valley,California
I had a Manx and she peed on herself and had seizures. She died having one at age 11. Her back legs became paralyzed at age 9. She would drag her legs. You can use Diapers my friend does with her Cats. My Manx would hop like a Rabbit. She saved my Sister when the other Cat atacked.
 

maxiecat03

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 25, 2008
Messages
199
Purraise
1
Location
Ottawa, Canada
That is such a sad situation...Manx cats are so loving and sociable. I hope someone has a workable solution.....in my research on that syndrome, there is nothing to reverse the problem except deal with it. That in itself, can be quite time-comsuming. I wish you good luck in finding a workable solution.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5

dragonfly183

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Messages
48
Purraise
1
Location
Arkansas
he's so sweet. i walk outside and he rolls on his back instantly and bats my fingers with his little paws. its to bad as he is laying on his back a little bit of poopie runs out. i take him to a bucket i have set up outside and wash him off for a second time this morning. he can definitely not stay outside when it gets old with urine wetting his back legs. I will have to put him in a diaper. That little rabbit hop is so funny. I've named him thumper.
 

baloneysmom

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Mar 25, 2008
Messages
1,081
Purraise
1
Location
New Brunswick
Wow! You really are an amazing person. I have no experience with this type of thing so I have no comment other then there should be more people like you. Good luck with everything.
 

momofmany

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Jul 15, 2003
Messages
16,249
Purraise
70
Location
There's no place like home
I was owned by a Manx once and loved that boy to death!!

When I was volunteering at a local humane society, we came across a hoarder who had about 6 manxes in her house. We readily found Manx rescue groups located all over the country to take some of them into their program. If you cannot work with this problem, and no one will ever judge you if you do not want to, you might want to try contacting one of them to help. If I remember correctly, I just goggled Manx Rescue and came up with a list of groups all over the country. And if you want to keep her, they might have some specific advise on how to manage the problem.

I just googled it and this was the first one that came up:
http://purebredcatbreedrescue.org/manx.htm
 

meowers

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
May 18, 2008
Messages
1,274
Purraise
12
Location
California, East Bay Area
Kitty has been my furry shadow and the love of my heart since she was 4moths old. She too is a Manx, completly tailess (a rumpie) that also suffers from the neurological problem that causes incontinence. She is 15months old now and we have learned to deal with the poopies (they fall off her butt while running down the hall, etc, but we just pick them up as they are solid and we are so used to it now
).

She has recently started having pee problems too. She sometimes lets out a little while sleeping, and she sleeps next to me in bed... The vet has confirmed she has low anal tone, so cant keep the poop in sometimes and cant feel it coming out. She perscribed antidepression meds to hopefully tighten things up down there, but the side effects were not pleasant. You might try them and just keep trying a different one till you find what works for him. Thats where I'm at too.

Another thing to think about, if your vet hasnt told you all this already, is they can sometimes have enlarged colons. So, make sure hes eating and peeing alright. It's too bad these wonderful loving cats have this problem when not bred properly.

I am so sorry for you and your little guy, but I hope it gets better. Kitty seems to have better and worse periods. If it becomes too much, please do try to find a rescue group that might want him. And sometimes you can't help them anymore...I hope both our kitties will get through it with our help.

PM me if you ever need help or anything
 

shellbell

TCS Member
Young Cat
Joined
Jul 12, 2007
Messages
37
Purraise
1
Location
Tennessee
I have a two year old cat named Atticus. He too has Manx Syndrome. I have posted here off and on about him.

His mom was a Manx and she had a stump for a tail. Atticus has no stump or tail whatsoever. When he was little, newborn, I did not know that cats with no tail could have these problems. I noticed that he did not seem to be going to the bathroom, looked bloated, and started walking with a noticeable gait.

I took him to the vet when he was a few weeks old and started reading like mad. Atticus has two less vertabrae than a normal cat, which affects his ability to control the lower part of his body...including bowell and bladder. When he was young he was on all kinds of laxatives and things and finally the vet did an enema as he was so backed up. We were on pins and needles after the procedure, wondering what kind of functioning he would have. Luckily, he started going to the bathroom on his own. He was on laxatone after the procedure as well. He was also on wet food only during that difficult time as dry food can make constipation worse.

He is not on medications now and seems to take care of his bowell habits himself. He kind of goes often and is not always aware of what is going on back there. He is of course incontinent too. I converted a room in my house for him so that he can roam free in that space. I also let him out in the living room sometimes to play when he is not real messy. I have had no luck with diapers, but if you start them young, your kitty may adapt to that.

I wash him with a special shampoo that I used to get at the vet and now order cheaper online. It's non abrasive and has antimicrobial properties ... it's 2% Chlorhexiderm. It's helped with his redness and irritation a lot. Also it helps if the vet trims him from time to time as there is less hair back there to get messy. I need to take Atticus for this again soon.

ONE OTHER MAJOR thing I would caution about is to watch about bladder infections and UTIs. These cats are highly susceptible to these and periodic UAs are a good idea just to be sure that a UTI is not coming on. Also, esp if kitty is male, it would be a good idea for the vet to look at the urine specimen under a microscope for crystals. Atti has had a couple of UTIs but has been okay for some time now, since last fall. Another major issue I had is that Atti can't stomach Clavamox or any Penicillin kind of antibiotic, even the coated pills. He pucks it up. We finally had luck with Baytril and Zenequin.

Atticus has so much quality of life and always has. There was a time when he was younger, I wasn't sure I wouldn't have to make a hard decision to put him down, if he was unable to go to the bathroom. I came to the point where I didn't care if he was incontinent of bowell and bladder as long as he could somehow eliminate his waste and be okay (not in physical distress or decline). Don't get me wrong, there is a lot of cleaning to do, so I have learned to adapt.

One thing is you don't want to get in the habit of doing numerous enemas...I would always let the vet to any that were required. Too many of these can make the anal tone, etc even more lazy and he could lose what motility he has now.

I have a really good vet who worked with me and Atti and we took it one day at a time. I would be really happy to share what has worked and not or to talk to you and offer support. I looked online for support when this was all new to me.

Atticus is mostly a normal cat, he doesn't seem to know he is disabled. lol. He runs (hops) and jumps, etc. He does get these spasms in his back legs, but in a few seconds, it is over and he is up and going again. He can get these a few times a day, but so far he seems to recover quickly. THese do worry me, as I have not found a way to treat these. The vet recommended very small doses of Meticam a few times a week, but I am nervous to keep him on this (not known for being cat friendly in certain cases) especially when I am not sure it's helping.

My thing with Atti is the following: As long as he has quality of life I won't give up on him. I do not know what the future holds, but take it a day at a time. We all have different situations, financial resources, etc, and I understand that not everyone could do what I have done with my kitty. I think you are a special person with a HUGE heart to have taken in this sweet kitty. If it does ever get too much, the rescue groups are a good idea. But these cats can lead great lives with patience and perseverance.

Please message me anytime.


Shelley

Gosh, there is soooo much to say.
 

manx mommie

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
4
Purraise
10
I have a Manx and she is 16 yrs old. When she was small she had bladder problems due to seperation problems when I would go to work and leave her alone all day. I took my mothers cat when she died and at first it was the peeing problems again for a while due to a new cat. But once they got used to each other I have been yers without any  problems. But I do sometimes have the poopy butt problem. I just pick it up. It used to be a bit mushey and get mashed in her fur . But now it`s good and solid. Actually Cinnamon thrives on a cheap can food called Special Kitty from Walmart or either on a raw food diet. When I say raw food I mean I buy the Natures Variety Instinct Raw Madalions and she does very well. You can buy it at specialety shops or order it online. But mix it with the other food when switching over at first. Most of these cats don`t live past the age of five with the Manx syndrome. I`m very  blessed. But they take a lot of one on one attention and love. They are very loyal ...She also has two vertabre missing at the end of her spine where her nub connects. She is very healthy the doc says. I would suggest the raw food. NEVER feed dry food You will have poop and bladder problems. There isn`t enough water in it. Useing wet food they will not drink water as much as on dry. But don`t be alarmed. They get what they need from wet. I do add a little water to the wet though to keep the bacteria washed out of the bladder. Again NEVER use DRY CAT FOOD !!!!  Also never heat cat food in a MICROWAVE. It cooks and kills the nutrients. Straight from the can or the Raw thawed and a little warn water added and stirred.  I use the Beef in th Special Kitty as most cats are allergic to chicken due to a protein in it. No shots unless she has to go to the Dr and then its just her Rabies because its a law. But she never goes out. Thats how I have kept her healthy....

 

night wing

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
175
Purraise
26
Location
Texas
I guess I'm lucky. My 16 year old male manx is a rumpie. Very tall back hind legs and his front legs are noticeably shorter. He's never had any defecation or incontinence problems.
 

manx mommie

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
4
Purraise
10
Your very lucky. Cinnamon`s problems were more when she was young and would be left alone while I was at work. She is also 16 amd has done good for a long time now. One of the main things is : I can`t feed her dry food. And I don`t. Oh, she is also 16 pounds too. With two coats of fur . The shorter on is on the under side and the long on top. I have to keep her maine cut to keep it from her food bowl. She is my special baby and I hope she lives for ever  beacuse it will be a very sad day. But I have read that a Manx can live up in their twenties. I hope she is one of the lucke ones . If she does then that makes me a lucky one also. She is my baby.Was you able to see her picture on here?
 

night wing

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
175
Purraise
26
Location
Texas
Yes, I could see the photo of her. My cat was a kibble addict for most of his life. My female vet wanted him on wet cat food. It literally took me years to switch him to a good quality wet canned cat food and he's doing very well on Nutro Natural Choice in sliced and minced flavors. He won't touch pate. When it comes to food, he was finicky even with dry kibble too. I'm very lucky he wasn't born with "manx syndrome".

Below is a photo of my constant shadow Tiger in his "natural habitat". It's an older photo taken three years ago. Tiger isn't a large manx. He weighs in at 11 pounds and he's considered a medium hair. Tiger is strictly an indoors cat and he is not declawed. Never has scatched the carpet, furniture or drapes.

View media item 126302
 

night wing

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
175
Purraise
26
Location
Texas
No, he doesn't have wide feet. When it comes to wide feet, I relate to wide as in "polydactyl" cats with their extra toes.

Being a manx, he's never had any urinary problems and he's never had a UTI (urinary tract infection).
 

manx mommie

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 14, 2013
Messages
4
Purraise
10
How much tail or nub does he have? Some have a half tail. The shorter the tail the more prone to the health problems.
 

night wing

TCS Member
Adult Cat
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
175
Purraise
26
Location
Texas
Tiger is a true manx rumpy. He is totally tail less. No stub, no nub, no nothing. Where the tail would come out of the body, there is a cup like like depression. When he was younger, he had an x-ray of his spine near the back end where the tail would have been and all of the last few vertebrae of his spine, about 4" in length, are all totally fused together. No cartilage in there. Just one solid piece of bone. My vet said he shouldn't be prone to get arthritis in that region when he got older because of this and so far, he shows no signs of arthritis. At 16 years of age, he can still run like the wind, but he does get tired after this display of energy.

He's never experienced any serious health problems either. The only time he's been under anesthesia has been for dental cleanings. My vet checks him out every six months when I bring him in for his semi-annual wellness checkup which involves blood work and a urine sample while also checking out his heart, eyes, ears, whiskers, teeth, gums, paws (pads) and claws. Since my old vet retired, I took Tiger to a female vet when he was 13 years old. She told me Tiger has great genetics because she said as a first time cat patient of her's, just looking at him (along with the checkup), without knowing his age, she told me at that time she would have guessed he was around 8 years old. He still has every one of his adult teeth which is remarkable and his teeth are like granite. My vet said because of his unique genetics, he's a very special manx cat health wise.

He's super friendly too. He's a people cat. He doesn't hide when people come into the house. He shows no fear or concern at the vet's office either. He's lays down on his side on the examination table like he owns it. When my vet comes into the exam room, he's always lying on his side and she tells him, "just make yourself at home". He once had a cyst removed. I didn't feed him that morning and took away his water bowl too. The vet shaved him, gave him a few locals, sliced him open with a laser, took out the cyst, stitched him up, put him on the floor to see if he could walk and he did. Then she gave me an antibiotic, some pain medication and told me to take him home, but to watch him just in case he had a reaction. Since he's my constant shadow, my vet told me it would better for me to watch him than the staff at the vet. It's a 14 minute drive to my vet's clinic. Because of his laid back nature and lack of fear, she told me Tiger is her best cat patient at the clinic. All the vet techs like him too since he's so easy to get along with.   
 
Last edited:

sanandreas

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Sep 16, 2013
Messages
14
Purraise
10
Location
Palm Desert, CA
Bless your heart for taking care of this special needs kitty.   I have had a couple of Manxes and they are such wonderful loving cats.  I hope you can find a workable solution.  My warmest wishes for you, you are such a kind wonderful cat mommy.
 

bjcotton09

TCS Member
Kitten
Joined
Oct 13, 2013
Messages
2
Purraise
10
I recently brought in an orphan rumpy ManxFirst he couldn't poop so took himti vet. The vet said his stomach was hard so he gave him.an enema. It produced nothing. So I gave him an enema at home as directed by vet.After that, he can't stop pooping! He poops and pees, and has no interest in.litter box. I have 6 older cats, I'm disabled, and can't handle cleaning poop up.off floors and bedding and clothes! But I love the little guy! Isn't there SOMETHING I can give him to stop loose bowel movements? Desparate!!!
 

jennyr

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 6, 2004
Messages
13,348
Purraise
593
Location
The Land of Cheese
It is sadly a fact of life that Manx-syndrome cats do tend to bowel problems as they have genetic abnormalities that can prevent them having full control of the lower parts of their bodies. AS people on this thread have shown, sometimes these problems can be addressed by changing the diet, and different diets suit different cats, or occasionally they grow out of it. But some have difficulties all their lives, and owners have to live with it as best they can. It is never the cat's 'fault' - not that you said it was but I just put that in, they really cannot help it.
 
Top