Is it dangerous for animals to be born with an extra limb? Kuya Kim answers

A chicken from Zamboanga Del Norte stood out from a flock after its owner realized that instead of two legs, it had four.

But is it dangerous for the chicken to have extra limbs?

According to Kuya Kim’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, it is often not fatal if an animal is born with an extra limb.

“It's a very rare case,” says veterinarian Dr. Aris Miclat. “Kung ito ay nagiging pang-abala sa kanila, may mga reported cases of amputation in the field of veterinary practice. Hinahayaan na lang natin siya kasi usually ang mga broiler hinaharvest natin in a matter of 28 to 32 days.”

Dysmelia is a medical condition in which an animal or a person has birth defects in their arms or legs.

The word from the two Greek words "dys" which means "bad" and "melos" which means "limbs".

Polymelia is a type of dysmelia in which animals have extra limbs. This often occurs in mammals but rarely in birds or chickens.

Experts are still studying what conditions cause polymelia, especially in birds. Some say they are conjoined twins, a genetic accident, or due to the condition of the birds when they were still inside the egg.

Extra legs are often underdeveloped and malformed, and they are also often non-functional. — Carby Basina/BAP, GMA Integrated News