Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva in the cat. A case report

Clinical, radiographic, electromyographic, and pathologic findings in a cat with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva are described. The features of five previously reported cases of this feline disorder are also presented. This disorder affects young adult to middle-aged cats of both sexes. Characteristic clinical features include progressive stiffness of gait, with enlargement of proximal limb musculature. Radiography reveals multiple mineralized densities within the affected musculature. The clinical course is rapid, with development of severe disability within 2 weeks to several months. Electromyographic and pathologic findings suggest that this is a disorder of connective tissue, affecting primarily the epimysium, tendons, and fasciae, and results in marked proliferation of fibrovascular connective tissue, with associated chondroid and osseous metaplasia.