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FELINE HIP DYSPLASIA
Feline
Hip Dysplasia is a topic that hasn't been as exposed and
discussed among many cat fanciers and breeders as
it probably should be. While most have heard a little about
the disorder and its impact on our feline friends, extra
exposure of this affliction in the cat world is the key to
preventing this problem from growing and harming the health
of kitties to come. Contrary to popular belief, Hip
Dysplasia is not just a "big cat" problem, and has been documented
in most breeds. We all need to be informed of this problem.
What is Feline Hip Dysplasia?
"Hip dysplasia
is an inherited trait involving multiple gene pairs - it is not congenital
(meaning an animal is not born with it). The condition develops over
time from instability in the hip joint which results from an improper fit
of the femoral head (ball-like structure) into the acetabulum (hip socket).
This instability, called hip joint laxity, results in abnormal weight bearing
within the hip joint. From this, secondary changes and remodeling
occur in an effort to stabilize the joint or avoid bone-on-bone contact.
When cartilage disintegrates, from abnormal wear, the femoral head and
acetabulum rub together with every step causing pain and eventual osteoarthritis."
How can I detect FHD in my Kitty?
The Best way to be absolutely sure that your kitties are
FHD negative is to take them to a licensed vet and have them X-rayed and have the X-rays sent to the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals
(OFA) for evaluation.
While no one should try to judge their own cat's x-rays, here are some samples.
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Healthy Hip
Note the Alignment of the Femoral Head (ball of the hip) and the Acetabulum (socket structure) |
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Bad Hip
This one has a terrible displacement and is
a good example of how severe this problem can be |
| NOTE: X-rays are property of Tricks and Tails Maine Coons Hips Reference Page. |
What can I do if my Cat is found to have
FHD?
There is no known treatment to reverse the damage
caused by FHD, although there are medications that are being given that have been found to aid in reducing further deterioration
and damage to the joints. For severe cases surgical procedures may be the only method of treatment.
The best thing we can do for our kitties is seek our local vet's advice and nurture them, as this can be a very painful ordeal for them
What Can I Do to reduce the frequency of FHD in my cats?
The most responsible thing that we all can do as cat
lovers and breeders is to make sure that all of our cats are screened for this disease and take measures to make sure that when detected, it
is prevented from making it into the gene pool again by spaying/neutering those with FHD.
Those looking for new cats to add to their cattery should speak to the owners and make sure that they are aware of FHD and get documentation that your kitty has been screened. If the breeder uncomfortable with the topic, they probably have a reason to be and you might need to look elsewhere for your kitty.
We all love our cats very much and wish only the best for them.Education and prevention is the key to stopping this problem from growing into an epidemic in the cat world. We owe our cats the very best, so please, have yours screened today. They would do it for you.
Thanks to the FHDA Web Site for this information.
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