Polydactyly in Cats

Polydactyly in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Polydactyly?

Polydactyl cats can be found throughout several parts of the world including; Asia, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Great Britain and the United States. Boston, Massachusetts holds the largest population of polydactyl cats, believed to be descendents of the feline brought to the US by English Puritans. Sailors believed the extra toes of the polydactyl cats made them better at catching mice than the average cat, therefore, many of the mutated cats came to live in different parts of the world by boat. It is for this reason that polydactyl cats are found in higher populations around sea ports. 

Polydactyly in cats is a condition in which a feline possess more toes than the average cat. Felines are born with fives toes on each front paw and four toes on each back paw, but polydactyl cats have several. The increased number of toes is an inherited, genetic mutation that is not uncommon. In fact, many breeders intentionally breed cats containing this genetic abnormality to meet high demand of what pet owners consider a cute physical characteristic. Breeders often advertise these felines as “mitten kittens,” “cats with thumbs,” or “big-foot cats.” Although related health conditions are minimal, breeding polydactyly in cats simply for the gratification of human ownership is highly discouraged. 

Polydactyly Average Cost

From 235 quotes ranging from $100 - $250

Average Cost

$200

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Symptoms of Polydactyly in Cats

Polydactyly in cats holds a primary clinical sign of extra phalangeal growth on each paw. The extra digit varies in structure, consisting of only soft tissues or connecting to inappropriate bone structure, making the feline prone to injury. The nail beds of the extra toes can be fused together at birth, resulting in painful claw abnormalities due to irregular growth.

  • Nail overgrowth 
  • Irregular nail growth 
  • Nail bed infections 
  • Injury
  • Pain 

Types

Polydactyly in cats has two known types; preaxial and postaxial. 

  • Preaxial Polydactyly: The extra digit grows before the dew claw. 
  • Postaxial Polydactyly: The extra digit grows after the fourth phalange (toes).  

Causes of Polydactyly in Cats

Polydactyly in cats is an inherited, genetic mutation passed down from parents to offspring. Polydactyly in cats is the result of a single, autosomal dominant gene, which means that mutated gene will override other normal genes. Therefore if one parent possesses the polydactyly gene, but the other parent does not, the kitten is still likely to develop the condition.  Maine coon cats are the common feline breed prone to polydactyly.

Diagnosis of Polydactyly in Cats

Polydactyly in cats is primarily diagnosed on physical exam, as the extra number of digits are visible. The veterinarian will discuss the feline’s parents, the breeder from which you purchased the feline, and any noted health complications the extra digits are afflicting the feline with. The veterinarian will feel the affected paws to determine whether the extra toe is simple tissue growth or bone. The hypothesis made as to what a polydactyl paw is made up of can be better diagnosed upon radiographs of the paw. An assessment of the feline’s health, including a blood and urine examination, may be conducted if infection is present. 

Treatment of Polydactyly in Cats

Polydactyly in cats may not require treatment, as breeders actually use selective breeding practices (the act of personally selecting a male and female to mate, producing offspring with favorable traits) to gain this mutation in offspring. However, polydactyly in cats can cause lameness and infection, and the mutation of genes can spread to other part of the body, resulting in complications with the heart which require euthanasia. In minor cases of polydactyly in cats, surgical removal of the extra digits is commonly performed to avoid injury and health problems in the future.

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Recovery of Polydactyly in Cats

Cats that undergo surgery will require anesthesia during the surgery, but it is not common for a feline to remain hospitalized overnight. Pain medications are likely to be sent home with the feline, paired with an antibiotic to prevent a bacterial infection. The use of litter in your cat’s litter box is discouraged during recovery time, as the sand could easily become lodged into the surgical opening. The feline should make full recovery within a few weeks. 

Polydactyly in cats is highly discouraged in breeding practices and is readily unadvised by veterinarians. Using selective breeding for human gratification is often considered inhumane due to the health complications that accompany the genetic mutation. Felines that possess this mutation, both male and female, are routinely sterilized to avoid carrying the mutation to future generations. 

Polydactyly Average Cost

From 235 quotes ranging from $100 - $250

Average Cost

$200

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Polydactyly Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Patched Tabby (both barn cats)

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Gyzmoh and Sophie

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1 Year

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15 found this helpful

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15 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
None
Had two cats die at 1 year and 6 months old, and they died 5 months apart. No sign of poison, fighting, or disease. One of them died in her sleep, curled up on my bed. I don't understand how they could simply die without cause. My male who died had one extra dewclaw on each front paw, and one extra dew claw on his left hind leg. My female who died had one extra dewclaw on both front paws, and one extra dewclaw on each hind paw. They both had a patchy pattern with tabby stripes, except the female was orange and white, and the male was regular tabby and white. Is there some genetic disorder in their coloration or the mutation of their paws that could've caused such sudden death? They were both too young to have formed any illnesses like cancer, or have a heart attack, since they lived healthy lives and were well taken care of. What could've killed two yearling cats who were healthy and never showed signs of being sick or injured prior to death?

Aug. 13, 2018

15 Recommendations

There are no other health issues with polydactyl cats unless they are associated with radial hypoplasia, but otherwise a polydactyl cat should not have any other medical issues especially which would result in a premature death. I cannot say what caused the early passing of your two cats without a necropsy; infections, trauma, poisoning, other congenital disorder (unrelated to the polydactyl) among other causes may have contributed. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

Aug. 13, 2018

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orange tabbby and two others

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no names yet

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2 Days

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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Extra Fingers On Both
My cat just had a litter of 4 kittens. The crazy part is they all are polydactyl in all 4 feet. 1 is an orange tabby with 13 on her front and 10 in the back. 2 tabby cat has 12 on the front and 11 in the back. 3rd is a black kitty with 12 front and 10 back. Last 4th was a grey striped kitty with 14! on the front and 10 in the back. Is this normal?

Polydactyly Average Cost

From 235 quotes ranging from $100 - $250

Average Cost

$200

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