Page 999 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

45 – THE CAT WITH LAMENESS 991

Diagnosis Results in osteopenia and widening of the growth
plates.
History of inadequate diet.
Radiographs demonstrate diffuse osteopenia, with or Clinical signs
without folding fractures.
Osteopenia can result in spontaneous fracture.
Treatment Abnormalities of the growth plate with rickets can
cause angular limb deformities.
Correct the diet by adding calcium, or more appropri-
ately, change to a balanced commercial diet formulated
for kittens. Diagnosis
Confine if multiple folding fractures are evident. Diffuse osteopenia, and may see pathological fractures.

With rickets see widened growth plates and osteopenia.
Prognosis
Very good if fractures have not resulted in malunion. Treatment
Residual deformity of the spine and pelvis may result in Correct the diet by feeding a balanced commercial diet,
chronic partial bowel obstruction with constipation. and adequate exposure to light.
May require confinement if multiple fractures have
RICKETS occurred.

Classical signs
Prognosis
● Lameness present in multiple sites in
young kittens. Usually excellent prognosis if there is not abnormal
● Due to a diet deficient in vitamin D or limb angulation. Correction of the diet corrects the
insufficient mineral content, such as an all- underlying osteopenia and growth plate defect.
meat diet.

Pathogenesis

Diet deficient in vitamin D or with insufficient mineral
content causes the cartilaginous matrix of the growth
plate not to calcify.

RECOMMENDED READING
Bojrab MJ. Disease Mechanisms in Small Animal Surgery, 2nd edn. Lea and Febiger, Philadelphia, PA, 1993.
Carro T. Polyarthritis in cats. Comp Continu Edu Pract Vet 1994; 16: 1, 57–67.
Greene CE. Infectious diseases of the dog and cat, 2nd edn. Philadelphia, PA, WB Saunders, 1998.
Slatter D. Textbook of Small Animal Surgery, 3rd edn. WB Saunders, Philadelphia, PA, 2003.
Withrow SJ, MacEwen EG. Small Animal Clinical Oncology, 3rd edn. Philadelphia, WB Saunders, 2001.