The curled ears are the least problematic. To the best of my knowledge there has been no published research documenting issues tied to this gene.
However anecdotal evidence from those experienced with curled ear cats suggests the ears may be more fragile and susceptible to damage and can be more prone to wax buildup and subsequent ear infections.
The polydactyly is an intermediate/gray area sort of mutation. It’s recognized in a few different breeds but is widely distributed throughout the random-bred stray/feral population, even affectionately referred to as “Hemingway Cats.”
Mild cases are usually okay but can still be problematic - especially if the extra digits aren’t fully formed, aren’t formed properly, aren’t functional or aren’t anchored to the limb like the typical digits. Onychectomy may be performed on these specific additional toes either to prevent problems from occurring or if problems do start to occur.
In the event I discuss above the main thing I’m thinking of is these digits getting caught on something and being torn out because they’re only secured by flesh but a general problem with polydactyly is increased risk of ingrown nails.
Mild cases can be very cat-to-cat, some will never have a problem and others will be hopeless about nail maintenance, but as you increase the amount of toes you increase the amount of opportunities for a problem to occur…
So when you the “patty feet” that’s style desireable in the Pharaoh, Pixiebob, Highlander and so forth it becomes a real problem because they can’t wear their nails down like they’re supposed to.
This was an incidental finding during a routine neuter, shared by @surry_spay_neuter_clinic on Instagram.
The dominant blue eye class of mutations are becoming better understood with current research, confirming suspicion that some of the genes being worked with are associated with deafness.
The DBE-RE gene in certain Maine Coon lines is the worst offender, with deafness pravalent in heterozygous cats suggesting the gene cannot ethically be worked with.
REFR says the Pharaoh was developed using “Altai” Maine Coons, which should be DBE-CEL and DBE-ALT and Messybeast also lists these genes as those being present in the Pharaoh breed but we’re only just starting to understand the DBE genes and have seen deafness occur at varying rates in numerous lines so…
Definitely an “approach with caution” type of situation.
And now the heavy hitter… that cute little bobtail… the gene responsible for this is a T-Box mutation, the same type responsible for the Manx and other western bobtail breeds.
This mutation results in sacral agenesis or dysgenesis, leading to a collection of symptoms which occur on an unpredictable spectrum from “absent” to “severe” known as Manx Syndrome. Hallmarks of this syndrome include hind limb weakness or abnormal gait and urinary or fecal incontinence.
So worst case scenario you’re potentially breeding a lame, deaf incontinent cat with chronic ear infections and problems with ingrown nails.
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