First Report of Polymelia in a DSH Kitten in Tehran, Iran

Congenital malformations are intrinsic structural abnormalities and variations of organs, tissue and/or body systems that can occur during the embryonic development of all animal species, and may be partial or total. Polymelia in humans is a rare condition with little information about its occurrence. There is no categorization of data on its occurrence along with other congenital malformations. There are few reports of this occurring in cows, sheep, amphibians, reptiles, birds, dogs and cats. In Jan 2018, a DSH (Short Hair Domestic) kitten found on a street was referred to a veterinary hospital in Tehran with symptoms of rigid mass and deformity in the pelvic region. With lateral and ventrodorsal positioning, the case was sent to the radiology department and examined under the plain radiograph. Findings included two underdeveloped hindlimbs associated with normal left hindlimb showing the congenital deformity and malformations, deformity and underdevelopment of right hemipelvis, the fusion of first and second lumbar vertebrae and kyphosis due to lumbar vertebrae deformity. Through the radiological examinations, the results show that the rigid mass was actually the third hindlimb and the condition is called polymelia. This is the first reported case of polymelia in a domestic shorthair cat in Tehran, Iran.