About Manx's - Long

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/20/2004 11:33:17 AM Pacific Standard Time,

m_lybra writes:

 

> Anyway.. a Manx breed isn't a great feature

> in a cat as they crossbreeding and genetic damage is what makes the

> cats a Manx.

>

> Marsha

>

 

Hi Marsha

 

Your vet is quite correct, the sphictor muscles and spine in a Manx CAN be a

problem. My first Manx, whom I bought, when I was young and stupid, from a pet

shop (and I have never been sorry about that purchase except from an ethical

point of view) had relatively few problems. His sphinctor muscles were

developed well enough that he very rarely had a problem and his spine WAS fused,

but

to a minimal degree that it never bothered him.

 

This Spinal fusion can be a very severe problem amongst Manx cats, some are

born with their spine so badly fused that they will never be able to walk and

will be permanently intcontinent. Almost all these kittens are put down at

birth.

 

Most breeders are very careful with which cat is bred to which cat. A " Pure "

Manx is actually undesirable simply because of the problems that Manx's have.

There has been a lot of cross breeding within Manx circles to help to

eradicate or minimize the problmem with the spine, which is why you get such a

wide

range of colors and type/breeds within the Manx breed.

 

My present Manx (my other manx died of heart failure a few days shy of his

14th birthday, not a great long life, but it was mostly healthy, happy and full

of adoration while he lived) is Half a Manx... His father is manx, his mother

is not. He's a fully happy, healthy handsome, loving, tolerant, patient,

gorgeous family friend.

 

The one I'm to pick up tonight is originally from a breeder. One hundred

percent healthy and " Normal " with the exception of the occassional Poop problem

where instead of going into the box it lands on his fur.

 

AND, not all Manx's are tailess. Some are tailless with nice rounded hind

quarters (called Rumpys and the most desirable within show cats), some have

small

tails (called Stumpy's), some have half length tails and some are gifted with

a full tail. The tail (or lack there of) is not their only feature that is

special. They will have long wide noses, under coats soft, warm and long like a

bunny's. Their back legs are longer than their front legs and give them a

rabbity appearance and they will often hop instead of walk. Despite thier

tailessness they are EXCELLENT tree climbers (which to my frequent horror when

my

Batman was younger, I found out) and have wonderful balance.

 

Appearances however, are not the only reason to desire a Manx. They are

INCREDIBLY intelligent, they are almost doglike in their devotion to their

owners

and they can be trained to fetch, to walk on a leash and they have a wonderful

sense of humor. I trained my first manx to do both by the way, walk on the

leash (much better trained than most dogs I might add) and to fetch... which he

did until he had had enough! ;-)

 

As you might have guessed by the time you reach this part of me note, I have

done a LOT of reading up on this particular breed and yes, while it does have

it's problems, NEVER and let me repeat that so there is no misunderstanding,

NEVER would I ever say that it is an undesirable breed. And remember, the first

Manx's came about on their own... it was not caused by Man.

 

K

 

Cheers!

Kathleen Petrides

The Woobey Queen

http://www.woobeyworld.com