Manx Cats and Mousers

[Deleted]

Hi All,

A few weeks ago I lost one of my senior cats and I've now come upon the opportunity to adopt two Manx kittens that are 12wks old.  Does anyone out there have any experience/advice dealing with this breed?  From everything I've read, they adapt well to other pets in the house which would be perfect.  

I've also read that in general, Manx cats can be good mousers if they're trained by their momma.   My neighbor has - ahem - some housekeeping issues and I have some concerns that thing may spill over to me.  I own a three story brick row house that has a party wall.  My house is built into a hillside so the three stories in in the front and it's four stories in the back.  There's plenty of room including a ginormous cellar with a dirt floor that's really creepy.  This is really the part of the house that I'm worried about as I do need to get my foundation in the back re-parged and rats have been seen in the general vicinity  

I now have a 13yo mouser but all she wants to do now is eat kibble and lay around - she won't even go down to the cellar.  I have the room for two more.

What do you all think?  

I just quit smoking so I'm telling myself that this would be a good reward.  Am I just trying to justify why I'm going to end up doing this?  I'm generally a pretty self-aware person, but sometimes when it comes to things like this I need some outside advice.  

Thanks guys,

Suzie

[Deleted]

Congratulations on quitting smoking. (dance) That's not easy and I wish you all the best.
I did a search on the forum for Manx cats and came up with no information and while we have cat owners onboard, I can't think of any who specifically have the Manx breed.

My sympathies on the loss of your beloved sweet older kitty.

There is a forum called UnitedCats which is about the Manx:
unitedcats.com/en/forum/271/3336/manx-cat
Give them a shout out and we'll see if anyone here has any better info for you.

:wave3:

[Deleted]

While i do not know anything about cats,ur house sounds interesting and wonderful and congratulations on stopping smoking.

[Heather]

My sister had a manx for awhile. She eventually gave him to a friend who could offer him a better home at the time. He was a sweet boy who answered to his name, mouthy little shite. He was very people orientated (we accused him of being a dog) and he was a superb mouser. Note, I said mouse not rat.
It's a rare cat who rats and they're usually prized above all else. I once went to a dairy farm who had these most adorable wee cats. They looked like kittens (probably so linebred they were deviant). They were tiny, no more than the palm of your hand, large eyes, huge eyes (reminded me of those stylised kitten pics you used to be able to get), big ears, short tails, big feet...looked like kittens. The farmer wouldn't part with one. I even offered money for a kitten. They were ratters, every last one. He claimed they were indispensable and wouldn't part with one. Truthfully, they rather looked like those munchkin cats.
ciao

[Deleted]

I've had a couple of Manx kitties back when I fostered cats. 
I also have a Manx mouse (I did have two males, but one killed the other)
I love love love Manx, but there are too many health issues with these breeds. The manx cat are known for their mutation, having being born without a tail or lack of one. This mutation can cause a lot of complications when it comes to overall health of the cat unfortunately. ;n;

I actually had one pregnant manx, but she miscarried. (She was also euthanised due to complications ;n;)
This is something that seems to be common with this breed of cat due to the mutation and especially if two Manx are bred together. Doubling up the gene is a big no no for this breed.  The TT homozygote combination is lethal. It's a big danger when it comes to breeding two manx with the tails gene because its the most common cause for miscarriage. 

Manx Syndrome is a condition that can cause serious damage to the nerves, spinal cord and spine of a Manx kitten. 
- Spina bifida occurs as the result of a congenital spinal defect that affects the spine and the spinal cord. The condition is due to a vertebra that is defective.
- Missing vertebrae
- Fused vertebra
- Shortened vertebra
- Poorly developed sacral bone
- Poorly developed pelvic bone
- Bowel problems including fetal incontinence and constipation resulting from deformities in the development of the spine.
- Bowel stoppage can result from an anal opening that is too narrow.
- Bladder problems
- Digestive problems
- Hind leg paralysis may be caused from the spine being too short.
- A crippled gait

Partial Tailled Manx are prone to a certain type of arthritis which causes severe pain to the cat as it ages and grows. Manx with a kinked tail is due to the incomplete growth during development. To avoid the arthritis, some breeders may dock kittens with stumpy tails. 

These cats are prone to corneal dystrophy and some breeds of Manx may develop megacolon.

The best Mouser I ever came across was actually a Maine Coon. Gorgeous, Gorgeous cats and incredibly skilful hunters. I miss him wahh. ;A;

I think as long as you get your kitty from a really good breeder (papers and all), then you should have fewer health issues providing they've got good genes. But keep in mind they can be pricey little ones.  I also would personally inspect the parents.

[Deleted]

In Germany, Manx are "breeding of defects" and this is against the Animal Protection Act. So they're not allowed to being breed or displayed at shows.