Objective The aim of this study was to create a feline reference database for the length, width and slenderness (length to width ratio) of metacarpal and metatarsal bones, radius and tibia.

Study Design Radiographs of the radius, tibia, metacarpus and metatarsus were performed in domestic short hair cat cadavers (n = 40). Length and width of the aforementioned bones were measured in mature domestic shorthair cats and bone slenderness (length/width) and index ratios calculated.

Results A significant skeletal sex dimorphism exists in cats, with bones of the metacarpus, metatarsus, radius and tibia generally longer and wider in male cats compared with female cats, with differences frequently significant. The most significant difference was identified for the width of Mc5 (p = 0.0008) and the length and width of Mt5 (p = 0.0005). Index ratios for length and width of radius to metacarpal bones, and tibia to metatarsal bones, were not significantly different between male and female cats, except for Mc5. The index ratio for Mc5 was significantly higher in male cats (p = 0.002).

Conclusion The present study provides insights into the normal length and width of distal forelimb and hind limb bones as well as bone index ratios in mature domestic shorthair cats. Using this information, it is now possible to quantitatively assess the relationship between these bones in domestic cats using radiography. This will assist not only with the diagnosis and categorization of skeletal abnormalities but can also guide surgical interventions of metacarpal and metatarsal bone fractures.

目的 本研究的目的是为掌骨和跖骨、桡骨和胫骨的长度、宽度和细长（长宽比）创建一个猫科参考数据库。

研究设计 对家养短毛猫尸体 ( n  = 40)进行桡骨、胫骨、掌骨和跖骨的 X 光片检查。在成熟的家养短毛猫中测量上述骨骼的长度和宽度，并计算骨骼细长（长度/宽度）和指数比率。

结果 猫存在显着的骨骼性别二态性，与雌猫相比，雄猫的掌骨、跖骨、桡骨和胫骨的骨骼通常更长更宽，差异往往显着。Mc5 的宽度 ( p  = 0.0008) 和 Mt5 的长度和宽度 ( p  = 0.0005) 的差异最为显着。除了 Mc5 之外，雄性和雌性猫的桡骨与掌骨以及胫骨与跖骨的长度和宽度的指数比率没有显着差异。Mc5 的指数比率在雄性猫中显着更高（p  = 0.002）。

结论 本研究提供了对成熟家养短毛猫远端前肢和后肢骨骼的正常长度和宽度以及骨骼指数比率的见解。使用这些信息，现在可以使用射线照相定量评估家猫这些骨骼之间的关系。这不仅有助于骨骼异常的诊断和分类，还可以指导掌骨和跖骨骨折的手术干预。