Manx — questions to ask before paying a deposit
A responsible breeder will have these readily available. Deflection is a red flag.
Sacrocaudal dysgenesis ("Manx syndrome")can shorten life or cause chronic pain
The same dominant gene that shortens or removes the tail can also disrupt development of the lowest spinal segments and the nerves supplying the hind legs, bladder and bowel. Effects range from none at all to hind-limb weakness, a hopping gait and incontinence, and can include spina bifida. Fully tailless cats ("rumpies") carry the highest risk; the more tail present, the lower the risk.
Ask to see: There is no DNA test for the Manx tail-length gene or for Manx syndrome. Ask for a veterinary neurological and orthopaedic exam of both parents (hind-limb function, tail-stump/sacral palpation, continence) and, for any cat showing signs, spinal imaging.
Vetlexicon Felis — Sacrocaudal dysgenesis of Manx cats (https://www.vetlexicon.com/felis/neurology/articles/sacrocaudal-dysgenesis-of-manx-cats/) · Veterinary Partner (VIN) — Manx Syndrome in Cats (https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&catId=102903&id=10662679)