Feline Orthopedics [April 2026 | Houston Campus]

Course Summary

This course provides an overview of the most common orthopedic conditions and methods of fracture repair and joint stabilization in cats with the emphasis on features that are pertinent to this species. Short lectures will be combines with 10 laboratory exercises on cadaver specimens. Although the broad principles of orthopedics are the same irrespective of species, cats are not small dogs, and important differences exist with respect to anatomical features and function as well as management of fractures and orthopedic conditions. 

It has been incorrectly remarked that two cat bone fragments will heal if placed together in the same room. Unfortunately, this casual attitude is not borne out by clinical experience and studies, which have shown the cat to be susceptible to the same range of complications as the dog. The notion that feline fracture repair is straightforward may have arisen because of the cat's ability to compensate for impaired function.  

Participants will benefit by completing a previous course in Principles of Fracture Repair, however this is not a strict prerequisite. 

Learning Objectives

• Learn how to diagnose and repair fractures of the humerus, radius, femur and tibia in the cat 
• Learn how to repair ligament damage in the elbow and tarsus in the cat 
• Learn how to perform an FHO in the cat 
• Learn how to repair an SI luxation and ilial fracture in the cat 
• Learn how to use locking bone plates for repair of shaft fractures 
• Learn how to use lag screws 
• Learn how to use suture anchors 

Day 1

Day 2