Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with tarsal joint deformity treated with Botox and surgery
By Bright, S R et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2007·Small Animal Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Partial tarsal arthrodesis and botulinum toxin A injection for correction of tarsal arthrogryposis in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
An 11-week-old domestic shorthair cat was brought in because it couldn't put weight on its right hind leg due to a severe congenital deformity in its ankle. The cat had a condition that caused the ankle to bend too far back and the muscles to be tight. The vet first tried injecting botulinum toxin (commonly known as Botox) into the affected muscle and used physical therapy, which helped a little. However, the best solution was a surgical procedure called partial tarsal arthrodesis, which greatly improved the cat's condition, allowing it to walk normally again.
People also search for: kitten limping on back leg · cat ankle deformity treatment · botulinum toxin for cats
Abstract
An 11-week-old, domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of a congenital right tarsal deformity. The cat was non-weightbearing lame on the right hindlimb. There was severe tarsal hyperextension and concurrent spasticity/contracture/shortening of the gastrocnemius muscle-tendon. The cat was otherwise healthy. Radiographically there was luxation of the proximal intertarsal joint and talocrural hyperextension. Treatment with 10 mu/kg botulinum toxin A (Botox; Allergan) intramuscular injections directly into the gastrocnemius muscle and passive physiotherapy marginally improved the range of motion in the talocrural joint. Definitive surgical treatment with partial tarsal arthodesis produced an excellent clinical outcome. This case report demonstrates the successful treatment of a severe congenital tarsal abnormality and also documents the first clinical use of botulinum toxin in a feline patient.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17212748/