In other species: dog

Mendelian trait/disorder: unknown

Considered a defect: yes

Cross-species summary: episodic movement disorder

Clinical features: Green et al. (2021) describe the phenotype of paroxysmal dyskinesia in ten Sphynx cats: "All affected cats were <4 years of age at the onset of the episodes (range 0.5-4.0). The episodes had a duration of <5 mins in 9/10 cats (range 0.5-10), while episode frequency was variable between and within individual cats. The episodes were characterised by impaired ambulation due to muscle hypertonicity, most commonly affecting the hips and pelvic limbs (9/10) and shoulders and thoracic limbs (8/10). The head and neck (6/10), tail (5/10), and back and abdomen (3/10) were also involved in some cats. Sudden movement, excitement and stress were identified as possible triggers for the episodes in three cats. ... None of the owners believed that the abnormal episodes had affected the quality of life of their cat."

Breed: Sphynx.