Ernest Hemingway made polydactylism of cats famous when he adopted a colony of about 50 cats, half of which were polydactyl^[1]. Polydactylism is relatively common in cats, and mostly non-pathogenic, but a correlation exists between extra digits and other genetic abnormalities such as radial agenesis, bilateral radial hypoplasia (hemimelia) and generalised cardiomegaly^[2][3][4][5].

Polydactyly in ‘Poly’, a 12 week Ragdoll male kitten with no litter-mates affected. Limb shaved prior to amputation of supernumerary digit. © Dr Jim Euclid

 

 

 

Contents 1 Causes 2 Clinical signs 3 Prevention 4 References

Causes

There are two forms of polydactyly:

• preaxial (extra digit before first phalange (dew claw) – common form seen, often with fully formed digit including claw
• postaxia (extra digit after fourth phalange – rare in cats and usually malformed digit^[6].

Polydactyly is caused by an autosomal single dominant gene Pd, which, when expressed, causes changes in the pre-axial (i.e. medial) part of the limb, resulting in an excess of growth in that area^[7]. Polydactyly can occur by itself, or more commonly, as one feature of a syndrome of congenital anomalies. When it occurs by itself, it is associated with autosomal dominant mutations in single genes, i.e. it is not a multifactorial trait^[8].

Polydactyly is an example of a novel class of genetic mutations caused by ectopic expression of a signalling molecule in the developing limb bud. Mutations in the long-distant, limb-specific cis-regulator for the signalling molecule are responsible for the ectopic expression which underlies the abnormality. Polydactylous cats are an example of single nucleotide substitutions. These single nucleotide substitutions operate as gain-of-function mutations that activate signalling molecules at ectopic embryonic sites and that the sequence context of the mutation is responsible for a variable regulatory output. The plasticity of the regulatory response correlates with both the phenotypic variability and with species differences^[9].

There are two particular breeds that can claim historical reference to polydactylism; the Pixie bob, which was founded on a polydactyl cat and the Maine coon. There have been reports that this trait once accounted for 40% of the Maine coon breed, but there is no specific data to substantiate these figures. Accounts of polydactyly in the Maine coon cat are documented as far back as 1876, when an MCBFA member discovered a painting depicting the trait^[10]. In recent years there appears to be a rise in the number of breeders working with the polydactyl trait and MCPI, an International organisation has been formed to promote and protect the trait in the Maine Coon.^[11].

An association has also been reported between dominant white colour in cats and polydactyly^[12].

Clinical signs

Clinical signs can vary from clinical normality to lameness in the affected limb. In more severe cases, where polydactyly is associated with hemimelia and cardiomegaly, euthanasia is often inevitable^[13].

In minor cases, no specific treatment is required, although cosmetic removal of the digit is usually performed. If clinical signs warrant surgical correction, amputation of supernumerary digit(s) is indicated. Surgery is a relatively minor procedure in most cases.

Prevention

Breeding from polydactyl cats is strongly discourage due to the heritable nature of this condition. Queens and Toms which carry the genetic predisposition should be sterilised.

References

1. ↑ Messy Beast.com
2. ↑ Lockwood, A et al (2009) Bilateral radial hemimelia, polydactyly and cardiomegaly in two cats. Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 22(6):511-3
3. ↑ Danforth, C.H. (1947). Heredity of polydactyly in the cat. Journal of Heredity 38: 107-112
4. ↑ Danforth, C.H. (1947) Morphology of the feet in polydactyly cats. American Journal of Anatomy 80: 143-171
5. ↑ Chapman, V.A. & Zeiner, F.N. (1961) The anatomy of polydactylism in cats with observations on genetic control. Anatomical Record 141: 205-217
6. ↑ Todd, NB & Todd, LM (1976) Mutant allele frequencies among domestic cats in some eastern areas of Canada: regional homogeneity of factors in Canadian Atlantic Provinces and the French colony of Saint Pierre. J Hered 67(6):368-72
7. ↑ Sis RF & Getty R. (1968). Polydactylism in Cats. Journal of Small Animal Clinicians.
8. ↑ Penn State Medical Centre
9. ↑ Lettice, LA et al (2008) Point mutations in a distant sonic hedgehog cis-regulator generate a variable regulatory output responsible for preaxial polydactyly. Hum Mol Genet 17(7):978-85
10. ↑ PawPeds.com
11. ↑ MCPI.org
12. ↑ Todd, NB (1966) The independent assortment of dominant white and polydactyly in the cat. J Hered 57(1):17-8
13. ↑ Winterbrotham EJ et al (1985). Radial Agenesis in a Cat. Journal of Small Animal Practice 393-398