Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 1–4 © ISFM and AAFP 2014 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1098612X14536422 jfms.com A 7-month-old entire male British Shorthair cat was referred to our facility with a 1 month history of pyrexia, lameness and joint pain. The cat was fed a high quality commercial dry diet, and vaccination had been per- formed 4 months previously. Five months prior to pres- entation, the cat had been treated for dermatophytosis with griseofulvin, and the conditon had resolved. Clinical signs were first observed 4 weeks prior to referral. Initial signs of pyrexia and inappetence were followed in 24 h by the development of a mild lameness of the right pelvic limb, which could not be localised. Investigation at the time included serum biochemistry and haematology. Haematology revealed a mild mature neutrophilia. All other parameters were within the refer- ence ranges. Tests for feline leukaemia virus antigen, feline immunodeficiency virus antibody and heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) antigen were performed and were negative. The cat had been treated with amoxicillin–cla- vulanate (Clavulox; Pfizer) 12.5 mg/kg PO q12h for 7 days, followed by clindamycin (Antirobe; Pfizer) 15 mg/ kg PO q12h for 4 days. The cat’s appetite had improved 2 weeks after the onset of disease. Pyrexia persisted and the cat became reluctant to walk 3 weeks after the onset of clincal signs, prompting referral. At referral presentation the cat was pyrexic, with a rectal temperature of 40.1ºC (104.2º F). Its heart rate was 190 beats per minute, and its respiratory rate was 25 breaths per minute. Pain was present to differing degrees bilaterally on palpation of the carpi, stifles and hips. Pain was considered to be most severe in the right carpus. Radiographic abnormalities were present bilaterally, and were most marked in the distal radius and ulna (Figures 1 and 2). Abnormalities were also present bilater- ally in the proximal and distal tibiae and fibulae, and the distal femora (Figure 3). These included diffuse areas of radiolucency within the metaphyses. Cuffs of mineralisa- tion were present on the distal radius and ulna, and soft tissue swelling over the affected metaphyses was seen. Abdominal ultrasound was unremarkable. Cytology was performed on smears made from joint fluid aspirates. Fluid from the right carpus comprised neutrophils (60%) and synovial cells (40%). The left carpal Metaphyseal osteopathy in a British Shorthair cat Carl Adagra 1 , Derek Spielman 2 , Angela Adagra 3 and Darren J Foster 4 Abstract Metaphyseal osteopathy, otherwise known as hypertrophic osteodystrophy, is a disease that causes pyrexia and lethargy accompanied by pain in the thoracic and pelvic limbs of rapidly growing large-breed dogs. While metaphyseal osteopathy has been descibed in association with slipped capital femoral epiphysis in cats, it has not previously been reported as a cause of limb pain and pyrexia in this species. A 7-month-old British Shorthair cat presented with a 1 month history of pyrexia, lethargy and pain in all limbs. Investigation included radiographs of the limbs and chest, abdominal ultrasound, serum biochemical analysis, haematology, bone biopsy, joint fluid aspiration and cytology. Findings were consistent with a diagnosis of metaphyseal osteopathy. The cat’s clinical signs resolved following the administration of prednisolone. Symptoms recurred 1 month after the cessation of prednisolone therapy, but resolved when administration was resumed. Accepted: 28 April 2014 1 School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia 2 Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia 3 RSPCA Townsville, QLD, Australia 4 Eastside Vet Emergency & Specialists, Rose Bay, NSW, Australia Corresponding author: Carl Adagra BVSc, MANZCVSc, GPCert(FelP), School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville City, QLD, 4811, Australia Email: cadagra@hotmail.com 536422JFM 0 0 10.1177/1098612X14536422Journal of Feline Medicine and SurgeryAdagra et al research-article 2014 Case Report JFM536422.indd 1 29/05/2014 11:42:00 AM at University of Sydney on March 29, 2015 jfm.sagepub.com Downloaded from