Hip dysplasia is a fairly uncommon, largely genetic disorder in cats that involves abnormal development and subsequent degeneration of one or both hip joints. It is thought that the immature hip joints of affected cats have an inherited predisposition to partially dislocate, causing abnormal forces across the hips, irregularly shaped bones, damaged cartilage, microfractures and, in severe cases, osteoarthritis with crippling lameness and pain.Hip dysplasia is not common in cats. When it does occur, the
Hip dysplasia is a fairly uncommon disorder in cats that involves abnormal development and subsequent degeneration of the coxofemoral (hip) joint. It is thought that the immature hip joints of affected cats have a genetic predisposition to subluxate (partially dislocate), causing abnormal forces across the hips, irregularly shaped bones, damaged cartilage, microfractures and, in severe cases, osteoarthritis. It is important for cat owners to recognize the clinical signs of hip dysplasia so that effective treatment
Hip dysplasia is an uncommon, painful and degenerative disease that causes arthritis-like symptoms and general hind end lameness. It is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that lead to laxity (looseness) in one or both hip joints. Diagnosing this disorder can be difficult, because a number of other diseases cause similar clinical signs and must be ruled out before a definitive diagnosis of hip dysplasia can be made.If a cat presents with
While there is no cure for hip dysplasia in cats, there are things that can be done to help alleviate discomfort and manage quality of life. The overall goals of therapy are to relieve pain and stabilize the hip joints to return the cat to normal or near-normal function. Depending upon the severity of disease, the veterinarian will recommend a treatment plan that may contain both surgical and non-surgical options.Cats with mild hip dysplasia frequently