We make the referral visit for our feline patients as stress-free as possible by catering for the unique needs and behaviours of cats:
- Appointments are arranged so that cats and dogs do not have to share the same waiting room.
- We have a completely separate cat ward that provides each patient with their own large kennel to ISFM gold standard with an elevated perch, comfortable bedding, and a litter tray tailored to the cat’s preferences.
- Pheromone therapy and subdued lighting are used to reduce anxiety by creating a calm and tranquil atmosphere for our feline patients.
Feline Orthopaedics book
Harry was lead author of the world’s first veterinary textbook devoted to feline orthopaedics in 2006 and Phil was one of two co-authors for the second edition of the book published in 2021.
As well as an in-depth guide to the diagnosis and treatment of orthopaedic disorders the book includes chapters on the spine, neuromuscular disease and neurology of relevance to the orthopaedic clinician. Feline Orthopaedics has sold worldwide and is currently being translated, using simplified Chinese characters, for sale in mainland China.
Femoral Head and Neck Ostectomy (FHNO)
Because cats are able to conceal pain very well there is a common misconception that the outcome of FHNO is consistently good. A recent study* that included the measurement of ground reaction forces after hip surgery has provided objective evidence that this is a fallacy.
This study compared the function of cats that had unilateral FHNO with cats that had unilateral total hip replacement (THR) >6 months after surgery. All but one of the cats that had FHNO were still lame on the affected limb in comparison with 2 of the THR cats, which showed only mild lameness. On examination of the operated limb two-thirds of the cats that had FHNO showed evidence of pain on manipulation of the hip compared with none of the cats that had THR.
The cost of our specialist femoral head and neck ostectomy is £2600.
Total Hip Replacement (THR)
If clinically indicated, unless there are financial or other constraints, we would always advise THR in preference to FHNO.
Harry performed the first total hip replacement in a cat in the UK more than 20 years ago and has carried out many successful hip replacements in cats since then.
Our specialist THR surgery costs £6500 and like all of our procedures the surgery is guaranteed for 12 months and the price is all-inclusive.
Fractures and luxations
In comparison with dogs we see a much higher proportion of cats with traumatic injuries such as fractures and luxations. We have considerable experience and expertise treating these injuries along with an array of implants designed with cats in mind including locking and non-locking plates and screws, interlocking nails, external skeletal fixators and a pedicle screw system for spinal stabilisation.
The cost of specialist surgical treatment for fractures and luxations is based on the complexity of the injury. All of our prices are very competitive and totally transparent. Prices are all-inclusive and any complications, should they occur, are covered by our comprehensive 12 month surgical guarantee.
Cranial Cruciate Ligament (CCL) disease
In comparison with the dog CCL rupture is uncommon and is more frequently the result of trauma. However, many cats with CCL rupture are inactive and overweight and do not have a history of a traumatic episode.
There is no consensus on the best treatment although surgical stabilisation is much more likely to lead to a better outcome than conservative management. Tibial plateau levelling osteotomy is a valid procedure in the cat and subjectively outcomes following surgery have been good to excellent.
The cost of our specialist cat TPLO surgery is £3800.
Medial patella luxation
The quadriceps mechanism consists of the quadriceps muscles, the patella and the patellar tendon/straight patellar ligament. Patellar luxation is a misleading term as it involves displacement of the entire quadriceps mechanism and the patella is just an innocent bystander.
The patella of cats is wider and more mobile than that of dogs and luxation is less common. In comparison with dogs there are fewer studies of the condition in cats and there is a lack of consensus and guidelines for surgical treatment, nonetheless surgical treatment is very effective.
The cost of our specialist MPL surgery including tibial tuberosity transposition and recession sulcoplasty is £3600.
Medial humeral epicondylitis (MHE)
Medial humeral epicondylitis (MHE) is a common disorder of middle-aged and older cats.
There is a tendinopathy and enthesopathy of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle at its origin distal to the medial epicondyle. In some cases entrapment of the ulnar nerve between the thickened tendon and the overlying muscle causes significant morbidity.
Lameness is generally moderate, gradual in onset and progressive although an acute onset is seen in some cases. For those cases that do not respond to conservative management surgical excision of abnormal tissue is usually curative.
