Patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome

Question 1

What is the frequence and cause of patellar fracture and dental anomaly syndrome (formerly knees and teeth syndrome)

Answer 1

PADS is a rare condition with an unknown etiology
- current evidence suggests a heritable component
- it is hypothesized that affected cats have a metabolic defect that makes their bones more prone to fracture

Question 2

What is the mean age at diagnosis for PADS

Answer 2

Patellar fractures are generally diagnosed in affected cats between 1 and 3 years

Question 3

How are patellar fractures managed in cats suffering PADS

Answer 3

They are often successfully managed medically
- attempts to use pins or wires to reconnect the fragments have often resulted in additional fragments

Question 3

What are the classic findings in cats suffering PADS

Answer 3

Classic findings include:
- transverse patellar stress fractures (bilateral > unilateral)
- retained or persistent deciduous teeth
- non-patellar fracture in the pelvis (acetabulum, ischium) or other bones (proximal tibia, humeral condyle, base of the calcaneus) are documented
- some affected cats have a focal or generalized increase in skeletal opacity

Question 4

What are the potential dental anomalies accompanying PADS

Answer 4

Approximately half of cats with PADS have dental anomalies:
- persistent deciduous teeth
- marked periosteal proliferation
- tooth root resorption

Question 5

How is a diagnosis of PADS made

Answer 5

Radiographic and clinical findings alone are sufficient to diagnose PADS