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. 2020 Jun;22(6):476-483.
doi: 10.1177/1098612X19854809. Epub 2019 Jun 11.

Radiographic study of the development of the pelvis and hip and the femorotibial joints in domestic cats

Fernanda G Miranda  1 , Izabela P Souza  1 , Flávia M Viegas  1 , Tábata T Megda  1 , Anelise C Nepomuceno  1 , Renato Cs Tôrres  1 , Cleuza Mf Rezende  1
Affiliations

Radiographic study of the development of the pelvis and hip and the femorotibial joints in domestic cats

Fernanda G Miranda et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2020 Jun.

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of the present study were to monitor, by radiographic examination, the skeletal development of the pelvis and the femorotibial joints of the domestic cat from the first week of life until the closing of the growth plates.

Methods: Radiographic examinations were collected from 15 domestic cats at weekly intervals during the first month and every 2 weeks from the second to the fourth month of age. After that, examinations were performed monthly until the age of 18 months.

Results: The ischiopubic growth plate closed at 2 months of age, followed by the fusion of the iliopubic, ilioischial, proximal femoral, greater trochanter and proximal fibular growth plates. The distal femur and proximal tibial growth plates were the last to close, with fusion occurring at 18 months. The mean time to closure of the iliopubic, ilioischial and distal femoral growth plates was shorter in females. The ossification centers first appeared, in ascending order, beginning with the lesser trochanter, followed by the greater trochanter, proximal fibular epiphysis, tibial tuberosity, patella, ischial tuberosity and lateral sesamoid of the popliteus muscle.

Conclusions and relevance: The complete closure of the growth plates of domestic cats occurs at approximately 18 months of age. Skeletal maturation at approximately 18 months of age is an important parameter to be considered in radiographic evaluation of certain skeletal changes, evolution of fractures and nutritional imbalance.

Keywords: Ossification centers; acetabulum; growth plates; ischium; pubis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Ventrodorsal radiograph of the pelvis of an 11-month-old domestic shorthair cat. The dotted lines show the width of the pelvis: (A) distance between the wings of the ilium and (B) distance between the ischial tuberosities. The solid line (C) shows the pelvic length
Figure 2
Figure 2
Radiographs in ventrodorsal projection of the pelvis of domestic shorthair cats at (a) 4, (b) 13, (c) 21 and (d) 45 days of age. In (a) 1 = ilium; 2 = ischium; and 3 = femoral, 4 = tibial and 5 = fibular diaphyses. The ramus of the pubic bone (6) is visualized with difficulty. In (b) 6 = the ramus of the pubic bone; 2’ = ischial tuberosities; 3a = the femoral head; 3b = the distal femur epiphysis. In (c) 4a = proximal tibial epiphysis. In (d) 3c = greater trochanter; 3d = lesser trochanter. (e–g) Radiographs at 3, 12 and 18 months of age, respectively. In (e) 2b = ischial tuberosities; 5a = proximal fibular epiphysis; 7 = patella. In (f) 1a = absence of growth plates of the pelvis; 3a’ = proximal femur epiphysis; 3c’ = greater trochanter; 5a’ = proximal fibular epiphysis. In (g) 3b’ = distal femoral epiphysis; 4a’ = proximal tibial epiphysis
Figure 3
Figure 3
Radiograph in mediolateral projection of the pelvic limb of a domestic shorthair cat of 3 months of age; 4b shows tibial tuberosity
Figure 4
Figure 4
Estimated daily growth rate of femur length and pelvis width and length by radiographic evaluation in 15 domestic shorthair cats
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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