Page 986 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

978 PART 11 CAT WITH AN ABNORMAL GAIT

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● Localized tetanus (p 985)
Occasionally causes paresis or paralysis of a solitary limb in the initial stages, but usually
advances to generalized tetanus.

● Viral arthritis (p 983)
Can occur secondary to calici virus exposure or vaccination; also coronavirus.
● Fungal infections (p 984)
Histoplasmosis, Coccidiomycosis, Sporotrichosis usually cause non-healing lesions, draining
sinuses or osteomyelitis.
● Toxoplasmosis (p 984)
More often causes CNS signs such as ataxia, and paresis but can cause stiff gait, shifting lameness
and muscle and joint pain.
● Neospora caninum (p 985)
Causes encephalomyelitis with ataxia and paresis and polymyositis.

IMMUNE MEDIATED
● Feline progressive polyarthritis (erosive) (p 985)
Rare disease; proliferative subtype occurs as acute onset in 1–5-year-old male cats, deforming sub-
type occurs as chronic onset in older cats. Usually several joints affected, most commonly carpus
and tarsus. Proliferative subtype often has systemic signs of illness. Deforming subtype may be
FeLV positive.
● Immune-mediated polyarthritis (non-erosive) (p 985)
Rare disease, due to deposition of immune complexes in the synovial membrane. Usually carpus
and tarsus affected. May be idiopathic or associated with SLE or chronic infection.
TRAUMA

● Fractures, luxation, muscular contusions*** (p 980)
Very common cause of presenting lameness.
● Cruciate rupture (p 982)
Occurs much less frequently in the cat than the dog, and usually less symptomatic.
● Patellar luxation (p 983)
Occurs only rarely in the cat, predisposition in Devon Rex cats.

The severity of the lameness will vary with the severity
INTRODUCTION
and type of the injury or insult, varying from a mild to
a non-weight-bearing lameness.
MECHANISM?
Generally periosteum has the densest nerve supply of the
deep tissues, and has the lowest pain threshold, followed
Lameness can occur in any limb, and is defined as
by the joint capsule, tendon, fascia and muscle.
interference in the normal locomotion of the cat. It is
usually pain related, and is secondary to tissue injury Mechanical lameness can result from an abnormal limb
which has caused structural alteration, edema and conformation such as shortening, angulation or a rota-
inflammation. tional abnormality.