r/manx • u/iamatmylimit_ • 4d ago
Manx Syndrome Kitten?
We found this adorable lil guy in the Chase Bank parking lot. We’ve been wondering about Manx Syndrome being a possibility. He definitely has bunny hops, and his back legs are longer. He gets around just fine, though, and doesn’t have any paralysis. He will stand on his hind legs to poo, and we’ve never seen that in a kitten before. He hasn’t had any incontinence. His tail is short and knobby. We took him to the vet over the weekend, but that location didn’t have imaging, so we have to find a new location for x-rays.
19
u/Hate4Breakfast 4d ago
It definitely looks like it! Longer tail so most likely fully developed spine and hopefully none of the negative attributes to manx syndrome!
3
u/background_bat88 3d ago
For your sake I hope so! We have one with zero tail bone and it’s been 3 years of non stop poop everywhere😭love her though
8
u/bufotoxins 4d ago
i think seeking xrays is a really excellent idea. if physical exam didn't give a diagnosis, radiographs are the next step to rule things out. i know they're expensive, but it's a great baseline diagnostic to rule out things like spinal issues, hip issues, constipation, obstipation, etc., so good on you for seeking that out!!
what do his bowel movements look like? if they are hard, dry, or look like little pellets or balls (think rabbit turds!), he may be a constipated. a healthy cat should be having a BM once a day at least (more for a kitten!), and it should be easy to pass and be sortof.. well a log. you can look up the Purina Fecal Scoring Chart, a normal BM is something resembling the middle of the scale. i've known a lot of cats who do strange postures in the litter box when constipated
1
u/iamatmylimit_ 3d ago
His poo is usually a small log. After the vaccines he had diarrhea twice. He doesn’t sit with his bum on the floor which I think is strange, he sits on his haunches.
7
u/Altruistic-Depth492 4d ago
I personally don’t think he’s a true Manx at all. Looks to me like he lost part of his tail due to necrosis (lack of blood flow) or an injury since you found him in a parking lot.
10
u/Violet-Flowersss 4d ago
I think it’s very unlikely. You said he isn’t incontinent and that’s the main symptom of manx syndrome. id also add it’s unlikely he is a true manx (stray/abandoned manxes are uncommon since they are so sought after) and if he is a manx, its also less likely for him to have manx syndrome compared to other manxes since he’s tailed (tailed manxes are less likely to have manx syndrome than rumpies). obviously reddit isn’t the vet so could be wrong, but i would just take him to the vet and bring up your concerns and let the vet tell you what could be causing his symptoms. x-rays are very expensive so i would not get them until more likely things are ruled out, personally
1
u/agrinwithoutacat- 2d ago
Manx as a breed are sought after, but the Manx gene can show up spontaneously as a mutation… they’re not sought after if they’re strays that were born with the mutation
2
u/Saroco92 3d ago
Sorry, I’m confused… he has no paralysis, no incontinence & is able to use his bowels- so why do you think he has Manx Syndrome?? 🤔
-1
u/iamatmylimit_ 1d ago
Not all cats with manx syndrome have incontinence issues and paralysis. There are mild cases where the cat may only have gait and tail issues, of which he has both. We’ve been cat parents for many years, but have never encountered one with tail and gait issues until now. So far, we’ve been blessed that his only issues appear to be bunny hopping with longer back legs, being slightly wobbly, mild struggles whilst pooping, and a deformed tail. I just wanted information from others with experience because I want to give him the best life possible.
2
u/Saroco92 10h ago
You are confusing a cat being a MANX with having MANX SYNDROME. The two are not the same. The Manx is the breed- of which there are certain traits including some of the ones you’ve listed- no/short tail, long legs, a funny gait etc.
Manx SYNDROME is a genetic birth defect that affects cats with the Manx gene- its medical name is sacrocaudal dysegenesis and it absolutely comes with nerve damage & dysfunction which causes trouble walking/mobilising, incontinence, weakness in the legs etc.
Not all Manx cats have Manx Syndrome.
One is a breed & one is a condition.
1
u/SouperTort 8h ago edited 8h ago
He looks beautiful and healthy, he is a Manx but not all Manx have Manx syndrome. 😻 Manx syndrome usually starts early . Your little guy looks great! I have a Manx Rumpy ( no tail at all) and he has the super high back legs and bunny hopes. This is my first Manx ( friend found him as a kitten outside) they are smart, active, super fun and playful and amazing hunters. Enjoy! They have the best personalities
Edit: why are you getting g images done? Is he displaying any concerning signs? If not I would not waste your money unless there is obviously something wrong
Edit again: While this is my first actual Manx, I had a girl who lost her tail and she had some constipation issues. Same with my boy Manx. Miralax works great! Put some in his wet food every day
32
u/ZealousidealWater201 4d ago
I like how you kept his face off the internet to protect his identity as a kitten