Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
SURGERY FOR BONE DEFORMITIES
Hip dysplasia can occur in cats, but because most cats, unlike dogs, don't
do a lot of running, they live fairly comfortably with this condition. If
pain or problems progress, a surgical procedure called a femoral head
osteotomy can help keep the hip bones from rubbing and worsening
the condition.This surgery is also used when a cat dislocates her hip as
the result of an injury and it will not stay back in place.
Pectus excavatum is a congenital deformity of the rib cage. Kittens
with pectus have a flattened chest cavity and their breathing can be
impaired. Some cats grow out of this condition, but for others, breath-
ing worsens and a surgical procedure that pulls out the ribs is needed
to correct the defect. This defect may be seen in any cat, but certain
lines of Bengal cats seem to have a higher incidence.
Some cats are born with a luxating patella, which is a kneecap that
pops out of joint. This condition is usually due to an abnormally shal-
low groove in the femur (the long bone the kneecap sits on) but can also
result from trauma. Cats with luxating patellas may have an intermit-
tently collapsing rear leg. They may hop temporarily until the kneecap
pops back into place. A surgical procedure that deepens the groove and
tightens the knee joint can successfully correct this problem.
