Small Animal Radiology and Ultrasound: A Diagnostic Atlas and Text

Chapter Four The Appendicular Skeleton 537
A
B
Fig. 4-81 A 3-year-old female domestic short-haired cat with a history
of poor hair coat and shortened stature. The cat was reluctant to walk.
Radiographs of the front and rear limbs, the pelvis, and the spine were
obtained. Radiographs of the right carpus (A), right tarsus (B), and
pelvis (C) are illustrated. The distal radial and ulnar physes remain open
although the cat is 3 years old. Open physes are noted also in the proximal
and distal femur, proximal tibia, and acetabulum. The distal ulnar
epiphysis is mineralized irregularly. There is subluxation of both coxofemoral
joints; however, the apparent lateral patellar dislocation is a
positional artifact. The retarded epiphyseal closure and irregular mineralization
of the distal ulnar epiphysis are indicative of an epiphyseal dysplasia
with retarded bone growth. Diagnosis: Hypothyroidism.
Mucopolysaccharidosis could also be considered; however, delayed epiphyseal
closure would not be expected in that disease.
C