Page 988 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

980 PART 11 CAT WITH AN ABNORMAL GAIT

Treatment Hindlimb lameness in young cats less than 7 months
of age is usually due to disruption of the growth plate
Abscess formation generally requires lancing, and
to the femoral head rather than hip luxation.
flush with weak solution of chlorhexidine, followed
by course of antibiotics sensitive to Pasteurella, i.e. Type and location of the fracture or luxation will
amoxycillin and clavulonic acid 12 mg/kg for 5 days. depend on the type of forces that have occurred at the
time the injury was sustained.
Rarely there may be extensive regions of necrosis,
which may require debridement and delayed closure.
Cellulitis treated by broad-spectrum antibiotics, i.e. Clinical signs
amoxycillin and clavulonic acid, or cephalosporins.
Acute lameness of the affected limb.
Osteomyelitis may be a rare secondary complication
Pain and swelling localized by physical examination.
resulting in sinus formation after initial healing of the
abscess. Most common sites of fractures are femur, humerus,
pelvis, tibia and radius.
L-form bacteria respond rapidly to tetracycline (22 mg/kg
tid PO) or doxycycline (5 mg/kg bid PO). Hip luxation is the most common form of joint disrup-
tion in the mature cat.
Pain localized to the hip in young cats is more likely due
Prognosis to separation of the femoral head.
Normally excellent, and resolves after initial treatment. Fracture/luxation injuries may be open or closed.
With extensive injury the prognosis is still excellent, Open shearing injuries of the carpus and tarsus often
although it may require more prolonged treatment. occur due to the minimal degree of soft tissues cover-
ing over these regions.
With septic arthritis some degree of degenerative joint
disease will occur, although cats tolerate this with less
clinical symptoms than dogs.
Diagnosis
Usually history of trauma.
FRACTURES, LUXATION, MUSCULAR Localization by physical examination.
CONTUSIONS***
Radiography is normally required to demonstrate exact
type and location of the fracture or luxation.
Classical signs
● Acute, usually non-weight-bearing
lameness of affected limb or limbs. Differential diagnosis
● Soft tissue swelling at the site of injury.
Cellulitis can cause a similar degree of soft tissue
● Abnormal movement or angulation of the
swelling and lameness. Usually differentiated by evi-
affected bone or joint.
dence of penetrating wound and pyrexia.
Neoplasia of a bone or joint can present suddenly if
associated with a pathological fracture. Very rare in the
Pathogenesis
cat, and usually differentiated on radiographs.
Usually due to external trauma from a motor vehi-
Nutritional hyperparathyroidism in the young cat can
cle accident.
present suddenly due to spontaneous fractures.
Can also occur from other external trauma such as dog Radiographically will see generalized osteopenia, with
attack, malicious attack or fall. history of poorly balanced diet.