Angular Limb Deformities in Cats
Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 11/04/2016Updated: 08/06/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Angular Limb Deformities in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What are Angular Limb Deformities?
Angular limb deformities is the term used to describe deviation in bone shape from what is considered to be normal. Angular limb deformities in cats can be either congenital or developmental. Congenital deformities are present at the time of birth, whereas developmental deformities develop during the feline’s growth period, typically between four to eight months of age. Angular limb deformities are a result of irregularities of the growth plates responsible for bone growth as the feline matures. The growth plates are soft and do not fuse until one year of age, therefore, trauma or nutritional experiences before the feline reaches one year will result in angular limb deformities. 
Angular limb deformity in cats is an abnormal bone growth that has resulted in irregularly shaped or crooked limbs. Angular limb deformities can be present at the time of birth or develop during the cat’s growth period. The forelimbs are the most common area to be affected by angular limb deformities, as they are made up of two long bones, but the rear limbs can also be affected. Cat owners will note a prevalent bowing of the legs, either inward our outward. Some felines with angular limb deformities will not experience complications, whereas others experience clinical signs of limping, pain, and the inability to complete certain tasks. Many develop arthritis with age.
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Average Cost
$1,000
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Symptoms of Angular Limb Deformities in Cats
Clinical signs of angular limb deformities in cats are noted by the presence of the bones of the limbs bowing away or toward the feline’s midline. Commonly affecting the ulna and radius, pet owners will observe this irregularity from the front of the feline, as her standing stance will seem abnormal. Some felines may not experience discomfort from the present deformity, whereas others may experience pain and limited mobility. On a radiograph, the presence of a bone deformity will be visible, but pet owners may notice symptoms including: 
  • Pain
  • Reduced range of motion in joints
  • Limping 
  • Inability to perform certain activities (jumping, running) 
  • Arthritis (later in life) 
Types
Congenital 
Congenital angular limb deformities in cats are present at the time of birth and are often the result of a genetic disorder or fetal malpositioning.
Developmental 
Developmental angular limb deformities in cats occur during the feline’s growth period (4-8 months) as a result of trauma to the growth plates. 
Causes of Angular Limb Deformities in Cats
Angular limb deformities in cats have numerous causes, with the most common causes being trauma or a genetic disorder. 
Traumatic causes of angular limb deformities in cats include:
  • Falls
  • Hit-by-car
  • Being dropped 
  • Being stepped on 
Congenital causes of angular limb deformities in cats include:
  • Hereditary malformation 
  • Genetic disorder 
Diagnosis of Angular Limb Deformities in Cats
Angular limb deformities in cats affect a feline at an early age and a medical record may not yet be established to review as part of the diagnostic procedure. However, cat owners can aid the veterinarian by providing vital information that is relevant to the feline’s condition. Informing the doctor of past trauma the young cat has sustained or familial disorders with the parents or siblings is crucial information for you to relay to the vet. A physical exam of the affected feline will be conducted, moving the affected limbs to detect range of motion and the presence of pain. 
X-ray (Radiography) 
An x-ray is the primary method a veterinarian will use to investigate a limb deformity. The radiograph enables the doctor to view the location, direction, and magnitude of the bone abnormality. 
CT scan (Computed tomography) 
A CT scan is often completed after an x-ray as this exam provides a cross-sectional image of the affected limb(s). This 3-dimensional image will provide the veterinarian with additional information about the deformity in comparison with the x-ray.
Treatment of Angular Limb Deformities in Cats
Many felines with mild angular limb deformities can be managed without the need for surgery. A mild angular limb deformities in cats is primarily a cosmetic flaw, not accompanied by pain or mobility issues. The veterinarian may treat these cases with conservative management methods such as weight management, provision of joint supplements and avoidance of intense exercise. A conservative management method is set in place to decrease unnecessary stress to the joints, preventing injury and arthritis later on in the cat’s life. 
Cats with severe angular limb deformities may require surgical correction and are often referred to a specialist. Surgical correction of an angular limb deformity requires the placement of skeletal fixators to straighten the bone and keep them aligned. Surgical correction of angular limb deformities in cats has potential risks that your veterinarian will discuss with you if your cat is suffering severely from angular limb deformities. 
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Recovery of Angular Limb Deformities in Cats
The prognosis for cats that have received conservative management for their angular limb deformities is a relatively positive end result. The main goal in management of an angular limb deformity is to decrease stress to the joints, therefore it is crucial to follow veterinary instructions. Felines that have undergone surgical correction will be reevaluated frequently to ensure the bones have not continued to twist and are healing correctly. 
Angular Limb Deformities Average Cost
From 415 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000
Average Cost
$1,000
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Angular Limb Deformities Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Persian
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Hazel
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1 Year
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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Short Front Legs
We got are exotic shorthair Persian at 6 month kitten. She has always eaten well and is playful with a typical disposition. It seems as if her front legs are a lot shorter than hind legs. She looks like a raccoon when she walks. She is now over a year old. She doesn’t appear to be in any pain. Is this normal?
June 25, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Whether it is normal really depends on the genes that are in Hazel's breeding lines. It doesn't sound completely normal from your description, however, and it would be a good idea to have her looked at by a veterinarian if you have anything to worry about as she gets older, any joint problems that may occur.
June 25, 2018
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Unsure
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Chancho
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4 Months
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Heavy Breathing
Weak Legs
Weak Muscles
Cant Jump
Runt Qualities
Bulky Front Knees
My kitten Chancho has been smaller than his brother ever since we got him, but we figured it would go away. After having him for a little over 2 months now, he is still a lot smaller and pretty weak it seems. He can't jump, his front and back legs are very weak. The muscles seem very small when you feel his legs. Especially in comparison to his brother who is the same age. He breathes pretty heavily, sighs often, and is always warm to the touch. He can walk ok, but his back legs dont seem to leave the ground when he does- they arent being dragged or speading out to the side or anything like that. We have been doing a lot of research, and he's going to the vet next week for some vaccines and things like that, so we will ask the vet then. But Angular Limb Deformities seems to fit. Everything looks pretty normal, besides having bulkier front knees. When he lies down he doesn't curl his back legs in, he prefers to have them straight.
June 17, 2018
1 Recommendations
Angular limb deformities may occur for a variety of reasons especially if an animal is the runt or slow to develop; sometimes these issues are mild with minimal impact on life whereas other times they can be more severe as an animal grows, time will tell. Your Veterinarian will be able to tell you more when they’ve examined Chancho and will be able to advise you further. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 18, 2018
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I don’t know
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Syrus
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4 Years
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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Back Legs Going Outward When Walk
My cats back legs seem close together with her back paws going outward she’s been like this since a kit when I found her in the garden She doesn’t seem like it’s bothering her but I worry about it because she walks oddly from the back
June 1, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Syrus has been that way since you found her, she may have had an injury, or a defect that she was born with. if it isn't affecting her life, you may not need to worry about this situation. If you are worried, it would be best to have her seen by a veterinarian.
June 1, 2018
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Norwegian Forest Cat mix
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Scribbles
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11 Years
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1 found this helpful

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1 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Difficulty Walking
Decreased Muscle Tone
Deformed Hind Legs
Inability To Go Up Stairs
My cat has severely deformed back legs that are only getting worse and his front legs are starting as well. He has diabetes, but he’s requiring less and less insulin. We got him fixed when he was a kitten, but the vet made a mistake and accidentally didn’t fix him. He kept getting in fights and spraying for years, but we didn’t realize he still wasn’t fixed for about 6 years. As a result, he got in a lot of fights. He would limp sometimes, but it would always just heal on his own. He’s to the point where it’s very difficult for him to move around and make it into the litter box. I’ve noticed that he’s lost a lot of muscle too, and gained more fat. Clearly losing some weight would help him have less pressure on his legs, but is there anything else they can do? And do you think that it’s just caused from his fights? I don’t remember ever seeing his legs deformed before or any signs of broken bones, and he didn’t have any signs of arthritis about a year ago when this was starting.
May 2, 2018
1 Recommendations
In a cat Scribbles’ age it is difficult to weigh in on severity or a specific cause since there are various causes for limb deformities which should be explored with your Veterinarian. It would be best to visit your Veterinarian and have x-rays taken to determine the severity of the deformity to understand what exactly is happening with Scribbles legs especially since it is causing an issue with him walking. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 3, 2018
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dsh
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Apollo
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10 Weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Altered Gait, Hair Wearing Off
I foster for a kitten rescue. We got a call from a family with a car who had kittens and they said two of the four kittens had twisted legs and they didn’t want any of them. I took the family to foster when the kittens were just a few days old. One of the kittens is especially bad both front legs are shaped like a V my vet said he is missing one of the bones in the forearm, I believe it’s the radius and because he is missing that it cannot be fixed so he walks on his elbows. I was wondering if that diagnosis is accurate as far as anything that could be done to even partially straighten his legs so he doesn’t walk on his elbows. I’ve wrapped his legs and he is able to walk. I really was hoping something could be done to allow him to walk on his feet. I’m thinking of the long term affects to his elbows, ie the skin breaking down and causing pressure sores.
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Persian
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Bobbi
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10 Years
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0 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Severely Outward Pointing Front Paw
Outward Pointing Front Paws
I have recently adopted an adult Persian who was dumped in a cat colony. His front paws are pointing outwards like that of a duck.His movement-mobility is not impaired in any way it just looks a bit comical
Angular Limb Deformities Average Cost
From 415 quotes ranging from $500 - $5,000
Average Cost
$1,000
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