LUMBOSACRAL TRANSITIONAL VERTEBRA AND UNILATERAL MEDIAL LUXATION OF THE PATELLA IN A FELINE - CASE REPORT

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25110/arqvet.v29i2.2026-12621

Keywords:

Felines, Radiography, Transitional vertebra.

Abstract

Lumbosacral transitional vertebra and patellar luxation are uncommon conditions in cats. A lumbosacral transitional vertebra is an abnormally formed vertebra between the last normal lumbar vertebra and the first normal sacral vertebra. This disorder is classified as congenital and presents morphological characteristics of both lumbar and sacral vertebrae. A hereditary predisposition has also been suggested, particularly in German Shepherds. Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae are the most common congenital alteration of the lumbosacral junction and significantly influence pelvic anatomy. They predispose animals to vertebral instability and cauda equina syndrome, increasing the risk of hip dysplasia. Patellar luxation may be unilateral or bilateral and can result from congenital malformations or occur secondary to trauma. This study reports a feline treated at a veterinary clinic in Rio de Janeiro that presented with right hindlimb lameness and a radiographic diagnosis of a lumbosacral transitional vertebra and unilateral medial patellar luxation.

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Author Biographies

Alexandre Martins Ferreira, Universidade Estácio de Sá

Faculty member at Estácio de Sá University, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Vargem Pequena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Edmilla Pastor Marquez, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

Discente da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Curso de Medicina Veterinária, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

Anieli Vidal Stocco, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

Graduate student in the Graduate Program in Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine and Surgery, Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.

Bianca da Silva Salmon Pompeu, Universidade Estácio de Sá

Professor at Estácio de Sá University, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Vargem Pequena, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,

Hélio José Santos Bagetti Filho, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

Faculty member at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro, Department of Animal and Human Anatomy, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Marcelo Abidu-Figueiredo, Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro

Docente da Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro, Departamento de Anatomia Animal e Humana, Seropédica, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

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Published

2026-11-03

How to Cite

FERREIRA, Alexandre Martins; MARQUEZ, Edmilla Pastor; STOCCO, Anieli Vidal; POMPEU, Bianca da Silva Salmon; BAGETTI FILHO, Hélio José Santos; ABIDU-FIGUEIREDO, Marcelo. LUMBOSACRAL TRANSITIONAL VERTEBRA AND UNILATERAL MEDIAL LUXATION OF THE PATELLA IN A FELINE - CASE REPORT. Arquivos de Ciências Veterinárias e Zoologia da UNIPAR, [S. l.], v. 29, n. 2, p. 186–195, 2026. DOI: 10.25110/arqvet.v29i2.2026-12621. Disponível em: https://www.revistas.unipar.br/index.php/veterinaria/article/view/12621. Acesso em: 5 nov. 2026.

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