Devon Rex and Sphynx: a rare hereditary myopathy worth knowing before a long trip
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The Devon Rex and the Sphynx share a rare gene variant linked to a hereditary myopathy, identified in 2015 by Gandolfi and colleagues in Animal Genetics (, doi 10.1111/age.12350). Our other travel guidance is gathered in the travel and safety section.
Contents · 5 sections
A recessive variant, a low frequency
Through a genome-wide association study followed by sequencing, researchers identified a COLQ gene variant linked to a congenital myasthenic syndrome: muscle weakness in the limbs and trunk, megaesophagus, pharyngeal weakness, and marked fatigability with exercise. The trait is inherited recessively, and carrier frequency in the Devon Rex was estimated at around 2% — meaning the vast majority of cats in both breeds are unaffected, and an affected cat must have received one copy of the variant from each parent.
Why this matters for travel
In a diagnosed kitten or young cat, signs typically appear within the first weeks of life and worsen with exertion: a long or stressful trip can therefore amplify fatigability that is already present. Three concrete precautions apply to a cat identified as symptomatic: avoid feeding right before travel, since the risk of regurgitation is higher with an associated megaesophagus; break a long trip into stops rather than demanding sustained effort; and favour a stable, well-padded hard carrier over a soft bag that forces the cat to actively brace itself, in line with what we cover in our comparison of soft carriers versus hard carriers.
What about an undiagnosed cat?
For the vast majority of Devon Rex and Sphynx cats, with no clinical sign of muscle weakness or known family history, standard travel rules are entirely sufficient — see in particular our guide to carrier training a cat as a daily habit. A genetic test exists to identify carriers, useful before any breeding plans or if a vet notices unexplained weakness in a kitten of these breeds.
The study's limits
The sample of affected cats remains small, as is typical for most rare genetic diseases in pedigree cats, and the carrier-frequency estimate (~2%) applies specifically to the Devon Rex population studied at the time of publication, not to the entire current worldwide population of both breeds.
Frequently asked questions
Should every Devon Rex or Sphynx be genetically tested?
Not routinely for a cat with no clinical signs, but it is recommended before breeding or if a vet notices unexplained muscle weakness.
Can this myopathy be cured?
There is no curative treatment; management relies on adapting daily life, travel included, to limit fatigue. Find all our guides on the cat hub.
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This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Cats universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.