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Hip Dysplasia in Cats
What is Hip Dysplasia?
If you suspect your cat has hip dysplasia, watch for signs of lameness and demonstration of pain when you gently palpate the hip area. If you notice these signs, contact your veterinarian for an evaluation.
Hip dysplasia in cats is a genetically inherited malformation of the hip joint. When the ball and socket of the hip don't form properly, there is increased movement in the joint. The involved bones start to knock and rub against one another, leading to degeneration and a painful arthritis. A cat with hip dysplasia will show progressive signs of lameness like limping, unwillingness to move, continually chewing or licking the hip, and expressing pain when the hip area is touched.
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Symptoms of Hip Dysplasia in Cats
The symptoms of hip dysplasia in your cat will vary depending on the amount of movement in the hip joint, and the extent of inflammation in the joint. Depending on the length and severity of the disease progression, you may notice:
- Reluctance to run, jump, or climb
- Difficulty rising
- Hind limb lameness that may be more pronounced after exercise
- Swaying or bunny-hopping when moving
- Standing with hind legs unusually close together
- Demonstration of pain in the hip joint - crying or resisting when area is touched
- Excessive licking or chewing in the hip area
Causes of Hip Dysplasia in Cats
As with dogs, hip dysplasia in cats arises from a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
There is an inherited susceptibility in some cats for dysplasia. Although any cat can develop hip dysplasia, it is more common in the following breeds:
- Maine Coon
- Persian
- Himalayan
When a cat has genes that contribute to hip dysplasia, the ball and socket joint of the hip will be more shallow than normal, resulting in excessive movement of the bones in the joint.
If a cat has a shallow hip joint, the signs and severity of the disease will vary depending on the age and the following environmental and lifestyle factors:
- Weight gain or presence of obesity
- Nutritional level
- Muscle mass in the pelvic area
Diagnosis of Hip Dysplasia in Cats
If your cat has been showing signs of lameness and pain in the hip, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian. The doctor will collect a detailed history from you. He or she will ask you about the symptoms you've been seeing and if there have been any recent events or injuries that may have led to the symptoms. Any information you have about your cat's parents may also help confirm a diagnosis.
Once the doctor has a history, he or she will conduct a thorough examination. Your vet will palpate the hips to check for loss of muscle mass and any demonstration of pain. The doctor will also manipulate affected hips to check for range of motion, signs of looseness in the hip, and any grating in the joint when it moves. Your cat's doctor may also run blood tests to check for signs of an inflammatory response.
A definitive diagnosis can be made with x-rays of the hips. The pictures will help confirm a shallow hip socket and can reveal the severity of joint degeneration. X-rays will also serve to rule out other conditions such as an acute injury in the hip, spinal cord inflammation, or a bone disease.
Treatment of Hip Dysplasia in Cats
With cats, the treatment options for hip dysplasia are fairly limited. Most measures will be non-surgical, but in advanced cases, surgery may be recommended.
Non-surgical Treatments
In most cases, hip dysplasia in cats can be treated with lifestyle changes. You will want to make sure your cat's diet encourages a healthy weight. Avoid overfeeding your animal, and encourage physical activity to maintain strong muscles in the hips. You can put your cat's food on a counter or table to encourage them to climb. You may also use some gentle passive moving of the hip joint to help decrease muscle stiffness.
If your cat is showing pain when moving, your veterinarian may choose to prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to help minimize swelling. Pain medications can also be given to make your animal more comfortable. To help strengthen the connective tissue in the joint, your veterinarian may recommend the dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin.
Surgical Options
In cases where cats are not responding to lifestyle changes and medication alone, surgery may be indicated. The two surgical options for adult cats with advanced hip dysplasia are a total hip replacement (THR) and an excision arthroplasty (EA). In the case of a THR, the hip joint is removed and replaced with an artificial ball and socket joint. Prognosis for most cats is good following a recovery period. With EA, the femoral head is removed, and nothing replaces it. The muscles in the hip will help the joint to function normally. As scar tissue builds in the area, there will no longer be bone-to-bone contact. Even if your cat has a slight limp due to the limb being a little shorter, there will be no pain. Following recovery, your cat should be able to engage in normal activity.
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Recovery of Hip Dysplasia in Cats
Hip dysplasia is a degenerative disease, so non-surgical treatments will last the duration of your cat's life. You can expect regular check-ups and blood work to monitor the progress of the disease and response to medication. If your veterinarian decides surgery is needed, there will be a recovery period involving restricted exercise and follow-up appointments for a few months.
Hip Dysplasia Average Cost
From 478 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,500
Average Cost
$950
Top
Hip Dysplasia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cat
Kylo
11 Months
10 found this helpful
10 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weight Loss
Weakness
Stiffness
Tired
Sleepy
My 11 month old kitten, originally a stray and rescued at 3-4 weeks, weighed 6 pounds at the next checkup and was bigger than his sister. He is now 4.6 pounds (after dropping to 4.2 and nowhere near his sister's 8 pounds and bulkier body). He's of normal length but very skinny and 3 months ago stopped being playful (still very loving), rests a lot, and generally won't jump or go upstairs. The vet said he has FIP and 3 months left, but since has eaten and not presented any other signs of deterioration. Could it be hip dysplasia, bone disease, or something else? Is this a further sign of FIP or a separate diagnosis?
Sept. 9, 2018
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domestic short hair
Slippers
8 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Sudden Trouble Walking/Standing
Yesterday she suddenly started not being able to walk or stand and crying out in pain it seemed, noticed she was favoring her left leg, went to emergency 24 hour vet, X-rays were negative and was sent home with pain meds; she continues to not want to stand and if we even lift her up to move her she cries out, she attempted to eat as soon as we got home yesterday but didn’t seem to be able to stand at the food/water bowl; we have her isolated in a bedroom to rest but doesn’t seem she had any food/water -only a few bites when put right in front of her- or used the litter; she still grooms herself and responds to our petting, but seems to only be able to lay in a certain position and cries when moved/lifted. Not sure what to do since X-rays were negative for fractures. What can I do to help her, I’m worried about her not eating/drinking/using littler box but she doesn’t seem to be able to stand/move at all. Please advice as soon as you can, thank you greatly!
Aug. 26, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
I'm sorry that is happening to Slippers. If the x-rays showed no fractures, it is possible that there is a soft tissue or neurologic problem, as those won't show up on x-ray. If she isn't responding to medications, it would probably be best to have her rechecked with your veterinarian, as they'll be able to assess her and see if other treatment might be needed.
Aug. 26, 2018
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Hip Dysplasia Average Cost
From 478 quotes ranging from $200 - $2,500
Average Cost
$950
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
