Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Adult cat with both hip growth plate fractures and low thyroid hormone
By Diehm, Marius et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2019·Small Animal Clinic, Germany·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Bilateral femoral capital physeal fractures in an adult cat with suspected congenital primary hypothyroidism.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old male European shorthair cat was brought in for limping on his right back leg. X-rays showed he had fractures in both hips, along with signs of growth issues and lethargy. Blood tests indicated he had very low thyroid hormone levels, leading to a diagnosis of congenital primary hypothyroidism (a condition where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormones). The vet performed surgery to remove the damaged parts of the hips and started the cat on a thyroid hormone replacement medication. After treatment, the cat fully recovered and returned to his normal behavior.
People also search for: cat limping · hypothyroidism in cats · cat hip surgery recovery · cat thyroid medication · signs of cat lethargy
Abstract
A 4-year-old, neutered male European shorthair was presented for evaluation of right hind limb lameness. Radiographs revealed bilateral femoral capital physeal fractures, widened vertebral growth plates and constipation. Physical findings included lethargy, mental dullness, mild hypothermia, retarded growth, pharyngeal stridor, moderate muscle atrophy of pelvic limbs, hair coat abnormalities, and lack of defecation and urination. A thyroid panel revealed thyroid hormone values below detection limits and high thyroid stimulation hormone values. A presumptive diagnosis of congenital primary hypothyroidism was made, however also an early onset acquired primary hypothyroidism could not be ruled out. Results of the insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and the parathyroid hormone as well as an adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulating test were normal. A bilateral femoral head and neck excision was performed. Levothyroxine supplementation was started at a dosage of 50 µg (11 µg/kg) BID and later adjusted to 100 µg (22 µg/kg) BID based on total thyroxine concentrations. The tomcat showed full clinical recovery and normal clinical behaviour. The case shows that primary hypothyroidism may be considered in cats presented with femoral capital physeal fractures.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30808038/