Bilateral tibial agenesis and syndactyly in a cat

Summary

Case description: A three-year-old cat was referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University of Naples, Italy. The cat had severe pelvic limb deformity, and abnormal development of all four paws.

Clinical findings: Radiographs revealed bilateral tibial agenesis, syndactyly, and digital hypoplasia.

Treatment and outcome: No treatment was instituted because of the severity of the injury, the adaptation of the cat to the abnormal condition, and the owner's refusal to permit any treatment.

Clinical relevance: Congenital limb deformities are rarely reported in the cat and tibial agenesis is considered a very rare disease. This congenital anomaly is well documented and classified in man, and it has been associated with other abnormalities in more complex syndromes. This paper reports clinical and radiographic findings in a cat affected by bilateral complete tibial agenesis associated with other congenital anomalies.

Keywords

Congenital anomaly - tibial agenesis - limb deformity - syndactyly - cat

• References

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