Manx Syndrome in Dock Tail??

K

katthedork

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
6
I just lost my 2 yr old Manx kitty (riser) after the health problems she developed as a Kitten became to much for her. I am currently looking into getting another Manx kitten and have been doing more research as to avoid any health issues with my future kitty. I came across breeders selling dock tail kittens, and was wondering if there is any way that a kitten with a stumpy or docked tail has a chance of developing manx syndrome, or any other health issues? I read that it's unlikely but I just want to be sure.
I know for sure I will not get another rumpy or riser because I can't handle of heartbreak of putting another kitty down so young.
 
W

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,893
Purraise
28,300
Location
South Dakota
In dogs, if the tail is docked too short, the nerves can be damaged. But if it's a longer dock there shouldn't be a problem, as long as you don't have an ethical objection to docking.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #3
K

katthedork

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
6
Willowy said:
In dogs, if the tail is docked too short, the nerves can be damaged. But if it's a longer dock there shouldn't be a problem, as long as you don't have an ethical objection to docking.
Click to expand...
I have never owned an animal with a docked tail, but I don't have any objections against it as long as it has been done ethically and will not hurt them give them any health issues.
Thank you for the info.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #5
K

katthedork

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
6
talkingpeanut said:
What is the benefit to docking?
Click to expand...
From what I have read the benefit of docking on a Manx is the prevent it from developing arthritis in the tail later. But ive also read that some people do it for cosmetic reasons.
 
W

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,893
Purraise
28,300
Location
South Dakota
Well, it's very hard to sell a Manx who has a long tail ;).

I personally wouldn't support a breeder (dog or cat) who docked but if it's OK with you I don't think it'll cause any health issues.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #7
K

katthedork

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
6
Willowy said:
Well, it's very hard to sell a Manx who has a long tail ;).

I personally wouldn't support a breeder (dog or cat) who docked but if it's OK with you I don't think it'll cause any health issues.
Click to expand...
Although I like the no tail look or the short tail look, I really like the Manx breed for their personality.
And I understand that some people don't agree with docking, I just don't really have a strong opinions for or against, I'm just more interested in the animals health for the future.
 
talkingpeanut

talkingpeanut

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Oct 12, 2015
Messages
11,793
Purraise
3,600
Willowy said:
Well, it's very hard to sell a Manx who has a long tail
.

I personally wouldn't support a breeder (dog or cat) who docked but if it's OK with you I don't think it'll cause any health issues.
Click to expand...
I guess I'm confused because I thought it was a natural mutation? I knew it was done to Dobermans, for example, but I thought what made a Manx a Manx was not having the tail.  I've got some reading to do!

I am personally against the practice as well.
 
Last edited:
W

Willowy

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 1, 2009
Messages
31,893
Purraise
28,300
Location
South Dakota
Well, some Manx are born with long tails, some aren't. Kind of like Scottish Folds, I suppose. Except you can't make a cat's ears fold ;).
 
denice

denice

TCS Member
Veteran
Joined
Feb 7, 2006
Messages
18,874
Purraise
13,202
Location
Columbus OH
It is a natural mutation with the Manx kitty not docking as done with a dog.  It's actually a spinal mutation which is why they can have incontinence issues.  The stubby tailed ones are less likely to develop issues.  Responsible breeders try to control the mutation by never breeding rumpies, they will breed a rumpie with a cat that has a stubby tail.  Irresponsible breeders will breed rumpies together because they want all the kitties to be rumpies.

The way I understand it kitties will begin to develop issues by the time they are 4 months old.  If you want to lessen the likelihood of another kitty with health issues you want to get one that is at least 4 months old along with having a stubby tail.  Responsible breeders usually won't let a Manx kitty go until they are at least 4 months old.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #11
K

katthedork

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
6
talkingpeanut said:
I guess I'm confused because I thought it was a natural mutation? I knew it was done to Dobermans, for example, but I thought what made a Manx a Manx was not having the tail.  I've got some reading to do!

I am personally against the practice as well.
Click to expand...
True a show quality Manx won't have a tail. It's a mutation in the breed that affects the spine that causes them to not have a tail, but manx kitties can have varying tail lengths. In fact like stated above, tailed kitties are very important to breeders because it is not ok to breed tailless to tailless, if you do that kittens can have a shortened spine which causes Manx Syndrome and such. Manx kitties with tails are used for breeding, or are considered pet quality.
Manx kitties can actually have tail lengths from no tail at all to a full length tail, it just depends.
 
Last edited:
Norachan

Norachan

Moderator
Staff Member
Moderator
Joined
May 27, 2013
Messages
32,789
Purraise
32,984
Location
Mount Fuji, Japan
As I understand it Manx kittens that are born with a tail have their tails docked by tying a tight elastic band around the tail when they are just a few days old. Apparently it doesn't cause them any pain and prevents arthritis in later life. I've also heard that if there is one long tailed kitten in a littler of short tailed Manx kittens the other kittens bully the long tailed one. I'm not sure if that is true or not.

I don't know much about the breed, but if there are going to be problems with incontinence don't these show up in the first few months of life? @Katthedork  are there other health problems you're worried about?

If you like the look of short tailed cats how about checking out Japanese bob-tails? They look similar to a Manx, are very affectionate and playful but don't suffer from the same health problems.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #13
K

katthedork

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
60
Purraise
6
Norachan said:
As I understand it Manx kittens that are born with a tail have their tails docked by tying a tight elastic band around the tail when they are just a few days old. Apparently it doesn't cause them any pain and prevents arthritis in later life. I've also heard that if there is one long tailed kitten in a littler of short tailed Manx kittens the other kittens bully the long tailed one. I'm not sure if that is true or not.

I don't know much about the breed, but if there are going to be problems with incontinence don't these show up in the first few months of life? @Katthedork
 are there other health problems you're worried about?

If you like the look of short tailed cats how about checking out Japanese bob-tails? They look similar to a Manx, are very affectionate and playful but don't suffer from the same health problems.
Click to expand...
From everything I read it's pretty rare for a dock tail kitten to get anyour of the same health problems, but I wanted to be super sure. And yes I've looked into the Japanese Bobtail, they are also one of my favorite breeds, but very few breeders breed them, the closest one I think I found was in VA, I live in Texas.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top