Feline orthopaedics

The lame cat can be a significant diagnostic challenge. This may be due to a number of factors: the small number of cats which present for lameness evaluation and the paucity of information available on the subject of the lame cat means that veterinarians tend to be less well informed regarding orthopaedic disease in the feline than in the canine; a thorough lameness assessment and orthopaedic examination can be difficult to perform in the cat; and cats may present with different histories and clinical signs associated with orthopaedic disease than dogs.

This course aims to increase awareness of specific feline orthopaedic diseases and the clinical signs associated with them. It will also highlight differences in management between the canine and feline with similar injuries in terms of both differing anatomy and implant requirements. Delegates will benefit through this increased knowledge as well as through practical sessions (using saw bones) illustrating the surgical management of some of these conditions.

Day one will cover some of the simpler aspects and Day 2 some of the more severe and complicated conditions.

Participants may register for one or both days.

Day 1 - The Basics

Key areas

Programme

08:30 - 09:00 Registration and refreshments
09:00 - 09:45 Feline joint disease
09:45 - 10:30 Hock / Tarsal injuries
10:30 - 11:00 Tea/Coffee break
11.00 - 11:45 “Tail pull” injuries
11.45 - 12:30 Use of ESF in feline fracture repair – Humeral and femoral fractures
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 Practical – Humeral and femoral fractures
15:00 - 15:30 Tea/Coffee break
15:30 - 17:00 Practical – Hock transarticular ESF placement, metatarsal and metacarpal fractures

Day 2 - Advanced

Key areas

Programme

08:30 - 09:00 Registration and refreshments
09:00 - 09:45 Hip disease, fractures and luxations
09:45 - 10:30 Approach to the disrupted stifle joint
10:30 - 11:00 Tea/Coffee break
11.00 - 11:45 Pelvic fractures
11.45 - 12:30 Feline skull injuries
12:30 - 13:30 Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 Practical – SI separations and ilial shaft fractures
15:00 - 15:30 Tea/Coffee break
15:30 - 17:00 Practical – Femoral neck fractures and luxations