Polydactlys?

Question

We have several, anyone heard of them before?

Answer 1

Yes! I love kitties with extra toes. They look like they are wearing mittens. So cute! They are also called "Hemingway" cats sometimes.

I see far more ingrown toenails at my clinic in polydactyl cats than non-polys, so make sure you are trimming those extra nails often, especially the ones that do not reach the floor or scratching post, as the cat cannot shed the sheaths on these toes very well.

Also, rarely an extra toe may cause chronic infection and need to be amputated. Just keep an eye on those toes and you should be fine!

Answer 2

Polydactyls are a dominant mutation (meaning that a polydactyl kitten has to have a polydactyl parent, only polydactyls can produce one and a polydactyl bred to a normal cat will produce polydactyl kittens), unless there would happen to be another spontaneous mutation (spontaneous mutations are quite rare). Polydactyly is common in cats, with variable numbers of toes, 6 or more on the front foot, 5 or more on the rear foot. I once helped a lady who had a litter sired by two different fathers, and the five sired by the polydactyl all had 6 toes on front and 5 on back, and the one kitten sired by a different father, had normal toes and a long black coat whereas the polydactyl kittens had their dad's black and white markings as well as his feet. I once saw a picture of a polydactyl that had more than 6 toes on front feet, it was more like 8 or 9 if I remember right. Polydactyly doesn't affect the cat in any way for better or worse, but its an oddity that many people enjoy seeing or having.

Answer 3

Yes they exist around the county however there rare in all areas of the USA except Key west were there are hundreds around Hemmingways house there were they may of originated from.

for all who do not know what Polydactl cats they are cats with extra digits(toes)

one note get a fixed price from your vet if you decawing the front claws as some vets add significant costs for the extra digits my friend got her declawed her other cat for 90 dollar but her poly cat cost 150 60 bucks extra for just 2 digits

Answer 4

We have a kitten named Toeby who has "thumbs" on his front paws. We are getting a female with extra toes so we can mate them and have a new breed of cats. We plan to name her Polly. If you want more info on feline polydactylism go to ask.com and look for polydactylism cats. There is a very interseting site that tells all the different polys out there.

Answer 5

Ive got one! got him from a rescue society... he looks like hes wearing mittens, we actually had to have some of his toes removed.. he had 8 on each foot... they were growing / curling into his pads causing pain. Hes a HUGE cat too, 98% white w/a few gray patches and an all gray tail. He follows my daughter around like a dog! very cool cat. his name is CATOE (CAT-TOE, get it?) its pronounced Kay-Toe.

they have alot at the Hemingway house in the Florida Keys, if you go to thier web site you can buy a plydactyl gold charm for a necklace...

Answer 6

My cat, Sally, has 5 extra toes. There's nothing wrong with them and they can function normally. I just have to be sure to keep her nails trimmed so they wont grow into the pads of her feet.

Answer 7

yes, they are cats with extra toes. It is thought to occur from inbreeding

Answer 8

I have several also.