Todayโs path rounds are on ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฒ!
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
๐๐จ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐๐๐ญ๐ฒ๐ฅ๐ฒ is an increase in the number of digits on one limb or multiple limbs. This can range from one extra digit, most often seen in cloven hooved animals, to multiple extra toes, often seen in cats.
๐๐ก๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
Any species can get this! We most typically see this condition in dogs, cats, horses and cattle.
๐๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ?
This condition is typically genetic, with different modes of inheritance depending on the species. However, there are also some rare ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ ๐๐ง๐ข๐ (malformation causing) agents that can lead to polydactyly.
๐๐ก๐ฒ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฆ?
Having extra toes isnโt a problem in most cases! In large animal species the extra toe may interfere with normal movement, and require special attention to keep the hoof trimmed, but otherwise they donโt cause many issues.
๐๐จ๐ฐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐?
Often these extra toes are just left alone, if they arenโt bothering the animal. In some cases, they may be removed surgically if they are causing a problem.
๐๐ก๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ฌ
1-2) Polydactyly in cats! So many toe beans 
3-5) Polydactyly in cattle showing three hooves per leg instead of two.
6) Polydactyly in a llama!
7) Polydactyly in a pig!
๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ
Maxie, G. Jubb, Kennedy and Palmerโs Pathology of Domestic Animals, Volume 1. Sixth Edition.
Photos 1, 3 ยฉ University of Calgary Diagnostic Services Unit.
Photos 2, 4-7 ยฉ Noahโs Arkive contributors Leipold, Edwards licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
