Radial head subluxation in a chondrodystrophic cat: aetiology, surgical treatment and outcome

A 10-month-old male neutered Dwelf cat with bilateral thoracic angular limb deformity secondary to chondrodystrophism presented with an acute onset of left thoracic lameness due to elbow subluxation and radial head displacement. Financial restrictions limited treatment to a single surgical procedure consisting of a left ulnar osteotomy, radioulnar polypropylene toggle placement and two temporary radioulnar transosseous K-wires. The lameness resolved but a degree of radial head subluxation persisted, radiographically similar in degree to the contralateral limb.

Chondrodystrophism is not common in cats. Inbreeding and chondrodystrophism is likely to result in the diagnosis of musculoskeletal diseases that have not previously been reported in this species. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first case report of a developmental radial head subluxation in a chondrodystrophic cat.