Until very recently, cats were not thought to be affected by hip dysplasia but more cases are now being reported. I am interested to understand how many cat breeders are aware of the condition and have been testing for the genetic defect before breeding? I welcome any comments, views or experiences of the condition.

I personally have only heard of it in relation to BSH but I have to say I've only heard of three cases and that doesn't a trend make. I didn't know there was a genetic test for it in cats. I'd be interested in seeing where and how they do this.

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I hadn't heard of it til this thread either - but my vet-tech friend visited last night and just out of pure curiosity gave my kittens a once-over. I noticed him feeling the bone structure very carefully, though you wouldn't be able to tell HD from that.

Where ther do it, I don't know but I guess any vet that can do HD tests in dogs could do so in cats - it would involve a GA.

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Thanks for your reply Spid - make that four cases of BSH and the condition is more common than I thought after dealing with an orthopedic surgeon. Very little on the web which is why I am keen to understand how many breeders are aware of the condition and what tests they really should consider undertaking before breeding. The profile on this MUST be raised, every breeder should be aware of the condition and discuss with their vet before breeding.

It's not a problem in all breeds, I've certainly never encountered it in my cats in 20 years of breeding. There isn't a DNA test for it, testing has to be done by x ray.
I think it's been reported in BSH and Maine Coons, it mainly affects larger breeds as you'd expect.

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Sadly the condition does affect a number of breeds beyond those already mentioned which is why it is important for the profile of the condition to be raised so that breeders are aware before any kittens are produced with the disease. It is also important for people considering a kitten to be aware so that they can do more research into the condition and they can speak with the breeder to ensure both parents have been tested and are cleared as not being carriers of the gene. Whilst it is unfortunate that the only test is via an x-ray, it is an important test that should be undertaken as the affect on the cat that is found to have the condition is very distressing. I am yet to find a breeder who is proactively testing for the disease but I very much look forward to hearing from somebody (especially a BSH breeder) who is undertaking such tests.

Could you give a reference to back up your statement that HF affects a number of breeds, and that all breeders should be testing their cats?

I would like to read more about this - I consider myself to be pretty much up to date on feline health issues but I've not come across anything to suggest that HD is a major problem like you're suggesting.

thanks in advance

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I have heard of it, but as yet i wasnt aware that there were any tests available for feline HD?

There are various hip scoring methods available for dogs but i didnt think anything had yet been developed for cats, as it seems the numbers effected seem so low.

On top of that, canine HD there is no genetic test available. It is thought to be polygenic (caused by many genes). This means that a number of different genetic defaults in various combinations go into making a predisposition for HD. Until every gene is identified, and all the combinations are identified, genetic testing for this would be impossible. If the same causes apply in the cat world, then again, there are no genetic tests.

In any large population there will inevitably be sicker and weaker animals. Add to that the BYB, kitten farmers and pet breeders. Who do not breed from good quality stock, do not health test and many times have little knowledge, understanding or caring to ensure the kittens are reared properly. Its fairly obvious that there will be a number of cats and kittens effected by some form of illness or disease thought to have heriditary links.

HD is also more difficult to quantify because of the environmental factors which effect it. Good breeders reccomend restricted excercise for pups from breeds prone to HD, will only breed from healthy tested parents of good hip scores and reccomend pups do not overdo it until they have finished growing. Over excercise, being raiesd on permanently hard floors, running up and down stairs can all contribute to HD.

I would be very interested to read your research and any you have gathered elsewhere! I would like to see what comparisions can be made between canine and feline HD, and what tests if any are available in the uk.

I have read the the OFA and pennhip are examining HD in cats, but until a scoring system is developed i am not aware of any tests available to breeders, perhaps i'm wrong?

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I found this

Cat Fanciers' Association: Feline Hip Dysplasia

Study was done in 1998, I am not sure if any further studies have been done.

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(EDIT: Whilst I was writing this, lauren001 found the same article in a different place)

The following (quite short) article is interesting:

http://www.winnfelinehealth.org/Page...plasia_Web.pdf

It mentions that the condition has been found in smaller breeds, end explicitly mentions Devon Rex.

It also points out that, as in dogs, there is no genetic test available to detect the fault. Testing in dogs is carried out by XRays being 'graded' by knowledgeable experts. This means that the condition can only ever be detected once it is manifest. If an individual carries one of the several defective genetic combinations that can lead to the condition, but has not yet manifested any unusual tissue deformity, there is simply no way of knowing that.

The article also states that most cats with the condition will not exhibit any discomfort or difficulty. Whilst this is good for the individual, it does suggest tat x-raying before breeding might be good, to ensure that the genetic makeup us not passed on unknowingly. However, that leads us on to the following...

Apparently, x-ray grading in felines is still very much in its infancy, an the article implies that there are only two centres offering this at present.

One is the University of Pennsylvania, offering PennHip testing, the other is the Hip Dysplasia Registry of the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) at the University of Missouri.

This article was written in 2006, so thinks may well have progressed since then. I'll do a little more digging, and see what comes up...