Radiographic pelvimetry and evaluation of radiographic findings of the pelvis in cats with dystocia.

摘要

The study was conducted to determine the reference values for pelvic dimensions in radiographically unremarkable native Turkish cats (similar to European Shorthair cats) and to evaluate radiographic findings in the pelvis of cats with dystocia and to compare their pelvimetric measurements with those of radiographically unremarkable cats. Pelvimetry was performed on ventrodorsal and lateral radiographs of radiographically unremarkable male (n=34) and female cats (n=23) with no history of dystocia and cats presented with dystocia. Cats with dystocia were classified in groups according to radiographical findings: cats without obvious radiographical changes, cats with traumatic pelvic stenosis and cats with pelvic narrowing due to metabolic disease. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the significant differences between groups with respect to gender and age. Results revealed that pelvic dimensions of radiographically unremarkable cats were greater in males when compared with female cats. These differences increased with increasing age, but were not significant in cats older than 2 years old. 25 out of 37 queens presented with dystocia had significantly smaller pelvic dimensions when compared with radiographically unremarkable queens. Deformation or narrowing of the pelvis in 12 cats (32%) due to old fractures and metabolic bone disease occurred in 7 and 5 cases, respectively. It is concluded that old, untreated pelvic fractures and metabolic disorders may cause stenosis of the birth canal and dystocia. However, there is a high rate of queens without deformation, but smaller pelvic dimension experiencing dystocia. As 80% of these cats are ~1-year-old they might still be growing or are underdeveloped, despite pelvic physeal growth plates are already closed. Pelvic radiographs and pelvimetry before mating enables to identify cats with pelvic narrowing due to traumatic, metabolic, or developmental reasons and may prevent the queen from potential dystocia.