Infact, Darwin discusses polydactly as an anomaly 1 found in a number of mammals and fossil remains show clear evidence of early polydactylism. So what happened to all the polydactyl Maine Coons?

Sadly, it would appear that this trait was bred out of the Maine Coon simply to fit in with the show world. Polydactylism was not seen in other breeds at this time and all other breed show standards listed five toes in front and four behind. When the Maine Coon Breeders and Fanciers Association (MCBFA) were putting together a show standard there was a lot of debate surrounding the issue of polydactylism. Many felt it would be easier to have one standard for toes, indeed MCBFA literature dating back to 1969 shows that polydactyl cats were never intended to be disqualified from shows and neither were they viewed as deformed or detrimental. In a letter dated September 29 th 1973 the then Vice-President of the MCBFA Mr Ljostad says:

“We knew that many Maine Coon cats were polydactyl and did not want this trait to get entirely lost from the breed. Then we heard that some of the breeders who had these cats were no longer able to breed them. So my wife and I decided we had better get one and keep this trait going in the breed.”

In an earlier correspondence when discussing a standard for the Maine Coon (06/08/1971) Mr Ljostad states, “we intend to continue breeding the cat that evolved of itself along the Maine Coast.”

The Spring 1970 Scratch Sheet of the MCBFA clearly shows that there was (and still is) a Maine Coon Polydactyl Standard voted in by the membership as follows:

“The Maine Coon Polydactyl Cat should conform to the Standard of the Maine Coon Cat, with the exception that multiple toes are allowed on either fore or hind paws, or both.”

This Maine Coon Polydactyl Standard remains in effect today, it has never been removed and this is where a major dichotomy can be found. The Cat FAQ article on the MCBFA web site states:

“However, modern purebred Maine Coons are rarely polydactyls. This is because all cat associations automatically disqualify polydactyls from competition in the purebred classes. Because of this,most polydactyls were culled from the Maine Coon breed decades ago, and only a few breeders continue to work with them.”

This goes some way in establishing that the attempted eradication of polydactylism was simply motivated by show issues and not for health reasons. It is wondered how much the Maine Coon gene-pool suffered for this decision.

Furthermore this fact sheet admits, “… Some original Maine Coons were polydactyls.” Here lies the controversy. Article 4b of the MCBFA constitution clearly states, “…protecting the Maine Coon Cat from obliteration of any of its naturally evolved features.” Whilst Article 4c completely contradicts that of 4b stating that members must encourage “selective breeding toward the standard.” Since the Polydactyl Standard is not shown or discussed on the web site one can only assume that the selective breeding to be encouraged is that of the non-poly. These two Articles clearly do not marry, if as historical evidence suggests 40% of Maine Coons were polydactyl via the dominant Pd gene then surely this is a natural evolution that should fall under Article 4b. Yet bizarrely the FAQ sheet talks quite freely about the “culling” of polys from the breed.

If one looks at the MCBFA Code of Ethics under the sub title Breeding there can be found the declaration that “My breeding stock shall be free from disease or hereditary deformity and shall exhibit no radical departure from the Maine Coon Standard.” If Science is correct then polydactylism is not a genetic defect but a genetic anomaly and with a Polydactyl Standard in place with the MCBFA why do many poly breeders appear to be ostracised and alienated?

There appears to be much scare mongering contributing to the arguments about the ethicality of polydactylism. This has mostly been caused by the massive publicity over the so-called Twisty Cats. According to Dr Solveig Pflueger “most polydactyl cats…have a form of pre-axial polydactyly with the extra digits(s) on the thumb side of the foot…” She also stated that “polydactyly in mammals is classified by embryologists as either pre-axial or post axial…” The post-axial form causes extra toes on the little finger side of the front foot. Some breeders refer to this trait as the hamburger patty foot. This form is associated with radial hypoplasia a condition which causes the radius in the front leg to be missing or undeveloped, (Hartwell, 2003) The unusual form of polydactyly (extra toes or post-axial) is the “most likely explanation for the Twisty Cats described in the November 27, 1998 issue of the Wall Street Journal ” (S. Pflueger, 1998). Dr. Solveig Pflueger stated that the usual form of polydactyly (pre-axial or extra thumbs) “does not appear to affect the cat adversely and is not known to be associated with other anomalies.” Furthermore, “some owners may argue that the big feet of the polydactyl enables the cat to walk better on the surface of snow, a snowshoe effect, and thus, enhancing survival in New England winters…” (S. Pflueger, 1998). The MCBFA standard for the Polydactyl Maine Coon clearly illustrates that Polydactyl Maine Coons are to be pre-axial polydactyls. Another problem falsely associated with polydactyl is the split toe. It would appear from research that the dominant Pd gene causes true polydactylism, however, there is a condition commonly known as split foot, which is caused by an entirely different gene, known as the SP gene. The pictures below clearly show the differences.

 

 

This clearly shows the work of the SP gene, causing split foot or Syndactyly, which, is the opposite of polydactyly. ( The Book of The Cat, Edited by M. Wright and S Walters, Pan Books, London, 1980 ).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are other forms caused by environmental matters 2 (i.e. pollution) often accompanied by other symptoms and this is an entirely different issue and will often manifest in a different way to the true Pd polydactyl gene that conscientious knowledgeable breeders are working with in the Maine Coon. It should be fairly obvious by visual examination whether or not you have a true poly, but if one requires absolute confirmation a simple x-ray is all that is needed. Providing the breeder is breeding from a poly then it should be a matter of choice for that breeder. It is much more obvious to determine a cat with polydactly than for instance true genetic defects such as HD or HCM, thereby allowing the breeder a more informed decision as to whether they want that cat in their cattery. This is opposed to the uninformed decision of bringing a cat into your cattery that is later found to have HD as happened to the writer. The polydactyl gene is an extremely simple gene and appears not to be deleterious in any way. As discussed by Wright and Walters (1980) polydactylism does “not seem to do the animal any harm … the same cannot be said for a number of other feline abnormalities caused genetically.” This is backed up by Dr Montgomery (Bone and Joint Specialist, Auburn College of Veterinary Medicine” who states “ Polydactylism is a fairly common anomaly in cats that is not detrimental to their orthopaedic soundness.” If this is the case why the controversy? Recent postings on a Yahoo forum show that many UK breeders oppose the polydactyl, yet research by the writer shows that many of these breeders have polydactyls in the first 5 generations of their pedigrees. Indeed some of the top show cats in the UK come from polydactyl lineage. One argument for this is that a poly to non-poly mating will derive a litter where 40 to 50% of the resultant litter will be polys, but all of the litter usually have increased boning. Hence perhaps thereby producing the size often required to do well in show in the non-poly.

A crude analysis of members web sites of the two GCCF affiliated Maine Coon Clubs in the UK show that of those with pedigrees or pedigree names on their web sites that can be traced, 63% of these breeder members have polydactyls within the first 5 generations of at least one of their Dams pedigrees. This figure is lower for Sires with 37% having polys within the first 5 generations of at least one of their Sires. However, it must be remembered that a Sire will produce many more progeny than that of a Dam.

 

 

 

Polydactyl Analysis Sires

 

 

 

Polydactyl Analysis Dams

This is an example of the usual form of polydactylism. (Picture provided by http://www.furkats.net}

 

In Issue 269 of the UK Magazine Cat World a reader presents a question concerning a white polydactyl kitten. The reader’s unease centres on the fact that the kitten is a polydactyl. In answer to the readers concerns resident Vet Alison Logan says that she has never encountered any problems related to polydactylism or any signs of it “being linked with other health problems throughbeing an inherited trait.” M/S Logan further states that she finds “polydactyl cats fascinating.” She actually expresses no concern over the polydactylism of the kitten but does articulate concern over the fact that the kitten was white and therefore may be deaf.

When researching for this article a number of poly breeders across the world were contacted. Of those breeders who regularly test all their cats for one or more of the following HD, HCM, Patella Luxation, and PKD, they have found that the polys are no less hardy than the non-polys. Indeed one well-known breeder believes that stastically her poly cats are less likely to suffer illness than her non-polys. Furthermore, despite intensive research a poly cat with either HD or HCM could not be found. This is not to say that it has not happened, as many breeders are still not routinely testing their cats.

If as it would appear Vets and Scientists have no concerns over polydactylism, and if breeders are only breeding with the Pd gene, and if the MCBFA still have a Polydactyl Standard, and if many breeders have them already in their pedigrees why the unpleasant undertones amongst non-poly breeders towards the polydactyl breeders? Furthermore, why can these cats not be shown in anything other than the Household section of the US cat shows? There are many breeds of dogs where polydactylism is allowed, so why is the cat fancy different? There is already an increase in the numbers of poly breeders particularly in Europe and with the ease with which cats can be imported and exported since the introduction of the Pets Passport scheme it seems logical to suggest that many more breeders will find they have a recent history of polys in their Maine Coon pedigrees. Instead of shying away from it, research it, and when aware of all the facts make an educated informed decision, because in the case of polydactyls it is the writer’s opinion that ignorance is not bliss. I think us non-poly breeders could be missing out on a whole new experience!

 

 

1 An anomaly is defined by The Oxford English Dictionary as something “that deviates from the general rule, or the usual type”

2 Known as Tetrogenic polydactylism

References:
www.drgreene.com/21_182.html
Hartwell Sarah (2001-2004) Polydactyl Cats www.messybeast.com
Hartwell Sarah (2003) Twisty Cats – The Ethics of Breeding for Deformity www.messybeast.com
Cat World Issue 269 Alison Logan “Does an extra toe make a difference?”
Cat Fanciers’ Journal, (Fall 1998), “Polydactyly and Related Traits”, Solveig Pflueger, MD, PhD, FACMG
Janet Marr (1998) “Polydactyl Maine Coons: A Part of America’s Yankee Heritage.” Maine Coon International Issue 15:3/98
Edited by Wright M & Walters S (1980) “The Book of the Cat” Pan Books, London
Robinson Roy (2003) “Genetics for Cat Breeders.” Pergamon Press, New York.

 

Acknowledgements.

The writer would like to thank Janet Marr of Furkats for her unstinting help and support. I would also like to thank the following people for their time, Judith Schulz of Prairebaby, Phyllis Tobias of Kumskaka, Sandra Van Kluiven of RoyalMainlys and Katie de Haan amongst many others.

Copyright Lucinda King 2004