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Outcomes Following Partial Foot Amputation in Three Cats
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
|June 30, 2026
Summary
Partial foot amputation in cats, specifically lateral amputation of digits 4-5, shows promise. This limb-sparing surgery effectively treated neoplasia and chronic wounds with favorable outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Surgery
- Feline Medicine
- Surgical Oncology
Background:
- Limited data exist on partial foot amputation (PFA) in cats.
- PFA involves amputation of two adjacent digits, excluding the first digit.
- This study investigates lateral PFA in domestic shorthair cats.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety and efficacy of lateral partial foot amputation in cats.
- To assess functional outcomes and complications associated with this procedure.
- To determine if lateral PFA is a viable limb-sparing option for cats.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case series of three domestic shorthair cats undergoing lateral partial foot amputation (digits 4-5) of a thoracic limb.
- Indications included neoplasia (two cats) and chronic wound (one cat).
- Surgical sites included metacarpal-phalangeal joint or distal metacarpal bone levels.
Main Results:
- No intraoperative complications were observed.
- All cats achieved resolution of lameness within a median of 28 days.
- One cat experienced a long-term grade 1 complication (wound breakdown at a weight-bearing site).
Conclusions:
- Lateral partial foot amputation of a thoracic limb is well-tolerated in cats.
- Favorable long-term functional outcomes and manageable complications were observed.
- PFA is a potentially viable limb-sparing option in feline patients, warranting further investigation into other PFA locations.
