Page 995 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

45 – THE CAT WITH LAMENESS 987

Metastatic spread from carcinomas to bone is very rare Primary bone tumors in the cat are a lot less aggres-
in the cat, compared to the dog. sive than in the dog and generally not followed with
chemotherapy.
Can get carcinomas of the digits secondary to primary
lung tumors.

Joint neoplasias are very rare in the cat, and are due to
HIP DYSPLASIA
synovial cell sarcomas or other soft tissue sarcomas.
Multiple cartilaginous exostoses or feline osteochondro- Classical signs
matosis can transform to a malignant disease in the cat.
● Usually occurs in Persian and long-haired
Lameness can also occur from nerve sheath tumors of the cats.
plexus or spinal cord, but these are very rare in the cat. ● Usually asymptomatic in cats compared to
dogs.
Clinical signs ● Generally requires only conservative
management.
Can be acute or insidious onset of lameness.

Rarely can be associated with pathological fracture.
Pathogenesis
Usually thickening identified at site of disease, which
may or may not be painful. Congenital disorder of Persian and other long-haired
cats.
Diagnosis Radiographically, see luxation of the coxofemoral joint,
with varying degrees of osteoarthritis present.
Radiographically, will see bone lysis in the meta-
physeal region of long bones, or joint thickening and
proliferation.
Clinical signs
Histopathology is required for definitive diagnosis.
Usually no clinical signs of lameness are seen.
Thoracic radiographs should be taken to demonstrate
primary lung tumor if multiple digits are swollen, or Pain may be exhibited on flexion and extension of the
prior to amputation to rule out metastatic disease. hip joints.
Occasionally may show signs of a stiff gait or lame-
Differential diagnosis ness, which is exacerbated by excessive activity.

Osteomyelitis.
Septic arthritis. Diagnosis
Pain on manipulation of the hip joints in a long-haired
Treatment cat.
If no evidence of metastatic disease, amputation is the Radiographic evidence of hip laxity and osteoarthritis.
treatment of choice.
If a solitary tumor of a digit is present, often this can be
Treatment
removed and the limb saved.
Usually conservative management consisting of rest,
Prognosis weight loss and intermittent anti-inflammatory drugs is
all that is required in symptomatic cats.
If no evidence of metastatic disease, then amputation is
often curative, with median survival times greater than If lameness persists femoral head and neck arthroplasty
2 years. results in an excellent prognosis.