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TOO MANY TOES !!

First broadcast on www.provet.co.uk


This information is provided by Provet for educational purposes only.

You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if your pet is ill as only he or she can correctly advise on the diagnosis and recommend the treatment that is most appropriate for your pet.

Sometimes animals are born with too many toes ...but why ?

The technical term for the presence of one or more extra digits is called "polydactyly". 

The development of extra toes (or fingers in the case of humans and primates) can be a sign of more serious disorders, but in cats and dogs it is usually a genetically inherited trait. In cats it is an autosomal  dominant trait, as it is in the Pyrenean Mountain Dog in which  multiple dew claws are not uncommon.

This odd condition does not cause any problems, although there is an increased likelihood of injuring the extra digit, and of course it is a matter of curiosity for owners. 

 

Updated October 2013