Bilateral femoral capital physeal fractures in an adult cat with suspected congenital primary hypothyroidism

[helvella]

As if we need further proof of the importance of thyroid hormone for healthy bones.

Tierarztl Prax Ausg K Kleintiere Heimtiere. 2019 Feb;47(1):48-54. doi: 10.1055/a-0806-8986. Epub 2019 Feb 26.

Bilateral femoral capital physeal fractures in an adult cat with suspected congenital primary hypothyroidism.

Diehm M1, Dening R1, Dziallas P1, Wohlsein P2, Schmicke M3, Mischke R1.

Author information

1 Small Animal Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.

2 Department for Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.

3 Endocrinology Laboratory, Clinic for Cattle, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover.

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.

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.

PMID: 30808038

DOI: 10.1055/a-0806-8986

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/308...

This is a single case report of a cat - largely because it has some good X-ray images!

ijvm.org.il/sites/default/f...

The cat picture was added for general amusement and to remind those who do not have a cat, just how strangely they can behave. It has NOTHING to do with the paper. Sorry if it has confused!

Description: Sleeping cat on her back.

Date 24 October 2009, 13:30:41 Author Umberto Salvagnin

[shaws Administrator]

Thanks for posting Helvella and this article shows, yet again, the failure of the Professionals treating humans, do not understanding the importance of optimal dose of replacement thyroid hormones, to keep people's whole body healthy instead of increasing more costs to the NHS.

[greygoose]

Oh! So much for the idea that cats only get hyper - as my useless ex-vet told me.

[helvella Administrator in reply to greygoose]

That was one of the reasons I posted it! But didn't want to point it out.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Oh. Have I said the wrong thing?

[helvella Administrator in reply to greygoose]

No - I was delighted that YOU pointed it out. I just wanted to see how long it took - or if anyone even noticed.

[greygoose in reply to helvella]

Ahhhhhhhhh ok!

[TSH110 in reply to greygoose]

Good point that is what I had read too.

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to greygoose]

I think hyper is more usual (crap cat food is apparently one possible cause), but can get both

[Rapunzel]

One can plainly see that kitty is hypo tho; her pose is a dead spit of my own, far too often. Were she ginger, she'd look just like me...although I have my whiskers waxed 🐱

[Fruitandnutcase]

That’s it!!! I’m changing my name to Tiddles, buying a fur cat suit and signing on with the vet across the road. We’ve said for years that pets get better treatment from vets than we humans do.

I’d be tempted to think it’s because there is no NHS for pets so all treatment is paid for but I’ve got friends in the US where there is no NHS and they are no happier with their medics than some of us over here are - in fact it’s probably worse for them because they pay through the nose for the treatment they don’t like.

[Hidden]

My last cat died of hyperthyroidism so I never heard of the idea that cats don't get hypo. It sounds ridiculous.

But the vet was useless anyway. He suggested I worm him because he had got quite scraggy and thin and was eating a lot (the cat, not the vet!) He also said the cat had a bit of a "Heart murmur".

When worming made no difference, I guessed it must be thyroid. And on going back, the vet said the heartbeat was so fast he couldn't measure it. Finally the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism was made but by that time it was too late

I should have asked for half my money back as I, not the vet, diagnosed the problem

[Lourid]

I’ve been asking my vet for years if my cat could be suffering with hyperthyroidism and being told no! The poor thing hardly eats - is 2 kilos overweight, sleeps all the time and is now experiencing problems with his back legs. I’m so glad you posted this!

[helvella Administrator in reply to Lourid]

I really hope that your poor cat recovers with appropriate treatment.

Cats can give us so much.

[Lourid]

Hypothyroid I mean - sorry, predictive text!

[helvella Administrator in reply to Lourid]

You may not realise that you can edit any posts or responses you have made here.

HealthUnlocked have produced a simple demonstration of how to do this. You can find this here:

support.healthunlocked.com/...

I am pointing this out purely to ensure that you know your options.

(If you make extensive changes, it is sometimes helpful to add a comment so that people can see that you have made changes.)

[Lourid]

Thanks - I’m definitely going to push for blood tests for him now. ☹️

[Angel_of_the_North in reply to Lourid]

If he's overweight, might want to make sure he doesn't get fed dry cat food/kibble as it is too high in carbs for a carnivore and increases risk of diabetes

[Lourid in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Yes - I agree but the vet has just put him on dry metabolic food!

[vocalEK in reply to Lourid]

Get a new vet. Putting a cat on dry food diet is a great way to create a diabetic cat. We had to give one of ours insulin shots, and eventually Ringer's Lactate because her kidneys were failing.

[jgelliss]

I don't own a cat nor a dog for that matter . But they are so cute and a man's Best Friend so I hear and I'm sure i's true . But what would one expect when humans don't get the *Right* *Care* pats should get the right care ??????

[Rapunzel in reply to jgelliss]

Our expectations are perverse. When his time came my beautiful Bombay black Otis died in my arms a few seconds after an injection. Yet we homo sapiens are starved and dehydrated to death through a haze of morphine which can take weeks. I'll take Otis's death, every time.

[jgelliss in reply to Rapunzel]

I'm so so Sorry for your loss . It must be so hard to loss a pet any which way . Pets I can only assume become a Near and Dear Family Members . Their unconditional Love will be Very Missed .