CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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I had never heard of it happening to cats but DD's beautiful purebred Maine Coon, a 7 yr old female, has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia. This was not until the vet did x-rays to see if she might have had cancer (she doesn't.) Now when I research the problem, I find that Maine Coons and other large breed cats are genetically prone to hip dysplasia and that it can be very painful. I'd like to know if anybody has had such a cat and been able to improve the kitty's quality of life for a period of time. The vet has mentioned glucosamine and/or Cosequin(?) This is the same family that lost the adorable doxie, Spike, to a catastrophic back injury last month.
Oh, and the kids' other cat, a neutered male DSH, must have sensed weakness or pain in the ill kitty and has been biting and picking on her, so they have to keep them separated. Gee, when it rains, it pours.
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Code2High
Ridgecrest, CA
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Hip dysplasia in cats is a new one on me! Cosequin is a supplement that has glucosamin in it. There's also sam-e that might help. Might be worth seeing a holistic vet for something homeopathic, and/or a um... chiropractor and/or an acupuncturist. Cats are VERY hard to medicate for pain, just had this discussion with my vet, Sput seems to have strained her shoulder. They don't process things out in the same way, and it is just not a good scene. He did say some vets will write for Metacam for cats, but he's not a fan of it. I'd do it if if was down to that or lose the cat, but not before...
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Code2High wrote:Hip dysplasia in cats is a new one on me!
Me, too, Susan! I have missed a lot of pet medical problems by not buying purebred anything, mainly because we couldn't afford them, but maybe we were also lucky. I found a number of articles on the web including this one:
Feline hip dysplasia
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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CA POPPY wrote:.........
I found a number of articles on the web including this one:
Feline hip dysplasia
Well... I learned something new today. Thanks for the link Judy!
Cats can be brutal to one another especially when one is injured or sick. They may have to separate the two of them. I hope the kitty with hip displasia does well, hopefully without surgery. I'm sorry to hear about the new problems with their pets. 
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hawkhill
Florida
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We have Ragdolls who also can be prone to feline hip dysplasia. Although so far we have been lucky with our two, we have a friend who also has Ragdolls and one of his cats underwent the femoral head and neck excision arthroplasty surgery mentioned in the article. He said it was like a miracle as Blue's Boy returned quickly to his former happy self. Discomfort seems to vary from cat to cat, but if your cat is extremely uncomfortable especially since she is being picked on by the other cat in the household, it may be worth checking out.
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Code2High
Ridgecrest, CA
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Judy I'm right there with you... I'm a big believer in "mixed breed vigor"... or just the absence of a lot of "responsible breeding" of the sort that produces animals that just don't work right on the physical level.
As to the picking, it might be worth trying a "Comfort Zone" diffuser and just see if that mellows the two cats out to where they can be together, at least when supervised. Its always so hard when you have to start separating cats, it makes it hard for them to get the time they need with their humans.
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Unfortunately, Willow has now been diagnosed with injection site carcinoma and is having further tests (ultrasound on Monday) to see if it has spread. If not, the vet suggests amputating a hind leg. This is sad on many levels, partly because the kids' cats have had vaccinations every year of their lives, inspite of the fact they never go outdoors at all. Another factor is that the surgery may be of questionable value in extending the kitty's life and will cost several thousand dollars the kids don't have. It will be put on a credit card and probably not be paid off for years. This vet (IMHO) overtreats and extends care to the max on everything. This is unlike our longtime vet who calls a spade a spade and I have no doubt would tell us whether surgery was pointless. Anyway, the decision will not be up to me, but I wondered if any of you have been through this cancer/amputation business and did it work? I would love to pass along some good news, but I dunno...
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Forgot to say, I doubt if Willow had hip dysplasia eight months ago. I'm thinking it was early manifestation of the cancer as she was having trouble jumping. Just sad.
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CatandJim
Tulsa, as in Oklahoma
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So sorry to hear about Willow... this is a very difficult time for your daughter and her family I am sure. I will say a prayer for them tonight.
You don't have to share this with your daughter but I lost a cat at around eight or nine years old (he was a shelter cat so we weren't exactly sure of his age) due to "injection site carcinoma" that spread quickly to his kidneys. Toby was either a Maine Coon or Ragdoll or a bit of both mix. Sadly he was my heart cat, a unique fellow that left an impression upon everyone but mostly on me. Toby is still mourned to this day, some 11 years later.
What is very heartbreaking in these situations is while we think we are doing the right thing by getting their vaccinations... and then.. well....
I am very sorry, they will be faced with these kind of decisions about their beloved cat.
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CA POPPY
Santa Clarita, CA, USA
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Thanks, Cat. It makes sense that the cancer would spread from hip to kidneys as that is a very short trip. Willow is a purebred Maine Coon, a smaller one, "only" 15 lbs. They got her direct from the breeder as a kitten and she's 8 yrs old. I wonder if purebreds have more immune problems? Our own vet says that it has been proven that some cats will develop injection site cancer after having nothing more than sterile water injected. Apparently, it's the puncture that triggers it more than the ingredients. Dr Doug, do you have any input on this topic? I would appreciate it.
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