Page 984 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

45. The cat with lameness

Maurine Thomson

KEY SIGNS
● Difficulty walking.
● Limping.
● Inability or reluctance to bear weight on limb.

MECHANISM?
● Structural or functional disorder of one or more limbs resulting in an altered gait or stance.
WHERE?
● Generally a disorder of the musculoskeletal system, occasionally neurological, metabolic or
referred pain.
WHAT?
● Most lameness in cats is associated with trauma, particularly cat fight injuries or motor vehicle
accidents.

QUICK REFERENCE SUMMARY
Diseases causing lameness
DEGENERATIVE

● Degenerative joint disease* (p 981)
Less common in the cat than dog, and often asymptomatic. Usually secondary to external joint
trauma.
● Intervertebral disc disease* (p 982)
Rare in the cat, can cause paresis or lameness.

ANOMALY
● Hip dysplasia (p 987)
Rare in the cat compared to the dog, and occurs mainly in Persians. Usually asymptomatic
in cats.

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