Prevalence of hip dysplasia in domestic shorthair breed of cats in three municipal districts in Accra, Ghana

Hip dysplasia in cats appears to have a similar prevalence as that seen in dogs especially with large breeds of cats like the Maine coon. However, cats do not commonly show signs of lameness like dogs do. This study was to determine the prevalence of hip dysplasia in domestic shorthair breed of cats in three municipal districts in Accra, Ghana. Twenty (12 males and 8 females) adult (2.3 ± 0.8 years) shorthair breed of cats of both gender weighing 1.7 ± 0.4 kg were included in this study. They were sedated with xylazine and atropine injection prior to radiography. Extended and frog-leg ventro-dorsal radiographs were taken using a manual processing x-ray machine. Norberg angles (NA), joint space scores and subjective morphological alterations for each hip were assessed. Comparisons were made for the NA scores within gender, between gender, between the right and left hips using Independent t-test. The relationship between the joint space scores and weight, age or gender of the cats was assessed. The morphological changes were also assessed. Mean manual Norberg angle measurements for 19 cats were 93.67 ± 1.9° and mean digital Norberg angle measurements for 19 cats was 102.35 ± 1.1°. One cat with complete cranio-dorsal luxation, due to history of preceding accident had manual Norberg angle of 38° and digital Norberg angle of 45°. Two cats displayed mild subluxation of the hip joint. There was no considerable difference in the NA or joint space measurements. This study found a ten percent prevalence of hip dysplasia in domestic shorthair breed of cats in the three Municipal Districts in Accra, Ghana. Both manual and digital methods for measuring the NA provided results which were within similar ranges. Key words: cats, hip dysplasia, radiographs, prevalence, shorthair, domestic.