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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2021; 34(06): 401-410
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1735289
Original Research

Feline Skeletal Reference Guide: A Cadaveric Radiographic Measurement on Lower Limb Extremities

Yunsir Choi
1   Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Joanna Pilton
2   University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Timothy Foo
2   University Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Richard Malik
3   Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
,
Bianca Haase
1   Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was financially supported by the Sydney School of Veterinary Science.
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to create a feline reference database for the length, width and slenderness (length to width ratio) of metacarpal and metatarsal bones, radius and tibia.

Study Design Radiographs of the radius, tibia, metacarpus and metatarsus were performed in domestic short hair cat cadavers (n = 40). Length and width of the aforementioned bones were measured in mature domestic shorthair cats and bone slenderness (length/width) and index ratios calculated.

Results A significant skeletal sex dimorphism exists in cats, with bones of the metacarpus, metatarsus, radius and tibia generally longer and wider in male cats compared with female cats, with differences frequently significant. The most significant difference was identified for the width of Mc5 (p = 0.0008) and the length and width of Mt5 (p = 0.0005). Index ratios for length and width of radius to metacarpal bones, and tibia to metatarsal bones, were not significantly different between male and female cats, except for Mc5. The index ratio for Mc5 was significantly higher in male cats (p = 0.002).

Conclusion The present study provides insights into the normal length and width of distal forelimb and hind limb bones as well as bone index ratios in mature domestic shorthair cats. Using this information, it is now possible to quantitatively assess the relationship between these bones in domestic cats using radiography. This will assist not only with the diagnosis and categorization of skeletal abnormalities but can also guide surgical interventions of metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures.

Keywords

feline - skeleton - limb - measurements - normal

Authors' Contributions

B.H., Y.C. and R.M. designed the project. Y.C., J.P. and T.F. performed research; B.H. and Y.C. analysed data and wrote the paper. All authors read and approved the submitted manuscript.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 29 September 2020

Accepted: 12 July 2021

Article published online:
06 September 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 

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