Plus-Hex CLINICAL
Introduction
Onychectomy ( declawing ) is the surgical amputation of the claws and distal phalanx ( P3 ), most commonly of the front paws but can include all four paws ( Ruch-Gallie et al ., 2016 ; American Veterinary Medical Association ( AVMA ), 2019 ). In 2006 , the Animal Welfare Act outlawed declawing in the UK . The law prohibits mutilation , specifically : ‘ interference with the sensitive tissues or bone structure of the animal , otherwise than for the purpose of its medical treatment ’. However , onychectomy is still performed in countries where it is legal , despite well-documented short-term physiological and psychological complications ( Martell-Moran et al ., 2018 ). There is currently less available research into the long-term physiological impacts and complications of onychectomy .
Osteoarthritis ( OA ) results in the progressive destruction of joint components , occurring from normal forces being applied on an abnormal joint , or abnormal forces acting on a normal joint ( Kerwin , 2010 ; Moses , 2016 ). OA is common in older domestic cats but can be difficult to diagnose because of their stoic nature ( Hellyer et al ., 2007 ; AVMA , 2019 ; Stadig et al ., 2019 ). Subtle changes in behaviour , a reduction in activity and a reluctance to jump are commonly observed , but lameness is often only present during flare-ups ( Guillot et al ., 2013 ). Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ( NSAIDs ) are the foundation for the management of these cases but adjunctive therapy with nonpharmaceuticals is beneficial . OA is also prevalent in captive felids , with stifle and elbow joints most affected in ageing individuals ( Lascelles , 2010 ; Longley , 2011 ; Krebs et al ., 2018 ).
modification , allowed the fracture to heal . A daily joint supplement , glucosamine and green-lipped mussel ( 300 mg glucosamine ; 200 mg ActiveEase ® green-lipped mussel ( Perna canaliculus ); 1.5 mg hyaluronic acid , YuMOVE Cat ® , Lintbells ) was also prescribed for longterm use . No further musculoskeletal abnormalities were detected until 2019 , when the onset of clinical signs associated with OA were identified .
Work-up , diagnosis and treatment
The serval presented with mild acute lameness in the right thoracic limb , which was worse in the mornings and more noticeable on uneven surfaces ( bark chips ). A course of meloxicam ( Metacam ® , Boehringer Ingelheim ), 0.05 mg / kg orally once daily , was prescribed and the lameness resolved . However , when the NSAID course ended there was noticeable deterioration in the animal ' s gait , with keeping staff reporting intermittent hesitancy on the descent of ramps , slowness to rise and muscle weakness in the pelvic limbs .
A full health check under general anaesthesia ( including radiographs ) revealed osteophytes in the stifles bilaterally , the healed toe fracture , an irregular motheaten appearance to the distal aspects of the P2 bones of the thoracic limbs ( Figure 1 ), bilateral stifle crepitus and muscle atrophy of the pelvic limbs . The P2 bones of the pelvic limbs also showed mild radiographic changes but not as significant as the thoracic limbs .
The African serval ( Leptailurus serval ) is a small to medium-sized wild cat that is native to African grasslands . The species is considered of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List ( Thiel , 2019 ) and has a lifespan of 23 years ( Lamberski , 2015 ).
Signalment and history
At less than 1 year old , and having already undergone an onychectomy on all four paws , the female African serval was confiscated from the pet trade as a customs seizure . In 2015 , at approximately 6 years old , it arrived at ZSL from another zoological collection . The following year , the animal presented with left thoracic limb lameness . An oblique diaphyseal fracture of digit 4 P1 was diagnosed from radiographs . It is hypothesised that the onychectomy may have predisposed the serval to digit fractures because of the alteration of shock absorption and posture in locomotion and highimpact activities .
Pain management with the NSAID meloxicam ( Metacam ® , Boehringer Ingelheim ), 0.15 mg / kg orally once daily , alongside restricted exercise and enclosure
Figure 1 . Thoracic limb radiographs showing bony changes to distal phalanx 2 ( P2 ), and healed fracture of left D4 , P1 ( circled ).
Long-term courses of pain relief medication were prescribed : daily oral meloxicam ( Metacam ® , Boehringer Ingelheim ), 0.05 mg / kg increased to 0.15 mg / kg for short periods of acute lameness , and twice-daily oral gabapentin ( Gabapentin oral solution , Rosemont ® Pharmaceuticals Ltd ), with doses adjusted to the clinical response , between 5 and 15 mg / kg , to target the neuropathic component associated with chronic pain ( Grubb , 2018 ).
Volume 37 ( 4 ) • September 2022
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