In some cases the acetabulum is excessively shallow, in others the ball itself is malformed or the neck area that leads from the ball to the femur itself. Usually, but not always, both hips will be affected by the disorder. As the condition continues to cause subluxations, grinding or popping in the hip joint, degenerative joint disease often occurs. Hip Dysplasia often goes unnoticed because of many reasons. Cats are normally less active than dogs and when they are out exercising, an owner is seldom attached to the end of the leash where limping or unusual movement may be noticed.
Cats are normally lighter and more agile than dogs as well.
Those cats that are allowed to become morbidly obese are more likely to show the signs of hip dysplasia. Conscientious breeders are now screening their breeding stock for hip dysplasia. More often than not though, the disease is found by accident when the cat is being x-rayed for some other, unrelated conditions. Some readers may wonder just how often a cat would be x-rayed, it happens on a regular basis at any busy veterinary clinic. On emergency we used radiographs to check for retained kittens, Feline Urinary Syndrome, fractures due to some type of trauma like being hit by a car or in one case, a cat that was put into a trash compacter by a ten year old child.