Acquired motor neuron loss causing severe pelvic limb contractures in a young cat

Bilateral contracture of the carpal and digital flexor muscles resulting in carpal flexural deformity in a cat

Case summary

A 12-year-old neutered female domestic shorthair cat was presented with bilateral progressive forelimb lameness that was unresponsive to anti-inflammatory drugs. Bilateral carpal flexural deformity with hyperflexion of multiple toes of the right forelimb was observed. In the absence of abnormalities detected on radiographs and ultrasound, a bilateral contracture of the carpal and digital flexor muscles was diagnosed. Treatment consisted of single-session bilateral selective tenectomies (5 mm) of the flexor carpi ulnaris, flexor carpi radialis and superficial digital flexor muscle tendons on the left forelimb and tendons of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle, and branches of the third and fourth digit of the deep digital flexor muscle on the right forelimb. Two months postoperatively, selective tenectomies (10 mm) were performed due to contracture recurrence on the left forelimb. The subjective outcome was rated as good 6 months postoperatively.

Relevance and novel information

Digital and/or carpal contractures are rarely described in (feline) veterinary medicine and are limited to a few case reports. The exact aetiology remains unknown. A traumatic/iatrogenic origin seems to be the most likely cause. Surgery is indicated, consisting of selective tenectomy and/or tenotomy, and is associated with minor complications and an excellent outcome. This case report describes the presence, treatment and successful outcome of a cat with bilateral carpal and digital flexor muscle contractures resulting in carpal flexural deformity with valgus deviation treated with selective tenectomies.

Micromorphology and topography of tarsal joint capsule's vascular elements in cats and dogs

Both cats and dogs belong to animals with the same type of limb support but have different nature of movement. Despite belonging to digitigrade animals, cats and dogs have a different nature of motion. While moving, the medial joint surface in cats and lateral surface in dogs carry the larger pressure. The aim of the study was to compare the similar surfaces of the cat's and dog's tarsal joint capsule and to detect differences in its histostructure and vascularisation. For the study, we used the capsule of the tarsal joint of five cats and five dogs dissected with accordance to anatomical surfaces. Sections of the capsule joint were stained with haematoxylin-eosin. The sections were examined with a microscope at magnification ×250 and ×400. The statistical analysis of the results was done using Student's t test. During the research, a difference in histostructure and vascularisation of tarsal joint capsule in cats and dogs on respective surfaces were found. The medial surface of the tarsal joint capsule was the most saturated with hemomicrocirculatory bed structures in cats, whereas this was the lateral surface in dogs. The most active metabolic processes also take place in these areas of the joint capsule, which is important to know when prescribing therapeutic procedures and determining an optimal surgical access.

Use of adjunctive prednisolone in the management of a cat with bilateral quadriceps contracture following trauma

Case summary

A 6-month-old cat was successfully treated for bilateral quadriceps contracture. Conventional treatments including surgery, dynamic flexion apparatus and physical therapy along with analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs resulted in temporary clinical improvement that was relapsing. The initiation of supplementary corticosteroid treatment with prednisolone coincided with an immediate and sustained clinical improvement and long-term resolution.

Relevance and novel information

Successful treatment of bilateral quadriceps contracture has not previously been reported in a cat. Quadriceps contracture remains a challenging condition to treat with some cases unresponsive to therapy. Systemic prednisolone treatment appeared to be of benefit in the management of this case and may have a role in some cats where muscle contracture appears relapsing in nature. Further prospective investigations in cats with muscle contracture, including muscle biopsies of affected cats, are warranted.

Electrophysiologic confirmation of heterogenous motor polyneuropathy in young cats

Background

Reports of motor polyneuropathies in young cats are scarce. Further, in‐depth electrophysiologic evaluation to confirm a motor polyneuropathy in young cats of various breeds other than 2 Bengal cats is lacking.

Hypothesis/Objectives

To confirm a motor polyneuropathy in young cats of various breeds.

Animals

Five young cats with heterogenous chronic or relapsing episodes of weakness.

Methods

Retrospective case series. Cats were presented for evaluation of generalized neuromuscular disease and underwent electrophysiologic examination including electromyography, nerve conduction, and repetitive nerve stimulation. Minimum database and muscle and nerve biopsy analyses were carried out. Descriptive statistics were performed.

Results

Disease onset was at 3 months to 1 year of age and in 5 breeds. The most common clinical sign (5 of 5 cats) was weakness. Additional neurologic deficits consisted of palmigrade and plantigrade posture (4/4), low carriage of the head and tail (4/4), and variable segmental reflex deficits (5/5). Motor nerve conduction studies were abnormal for the ulnar (4/4), peroneal (5/5), and tibial (2/2) nerves (increased latencies, reduced amplitudes, slow velocities). A marked decrement was observed on repetitive nerve stimulation of the peroneal nerve in 3 cats for which autoimmune myasthenia gravis was ruled out. All sensory nerve conduction studies were normal. Histologic evaluation of muscle and nerve biopsies supported heterogenous alterations consistent with motor polyneuropathy with distal nerve fiber loss.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Heterogenous motor polyneuropathies should be considered in young cats of any breed and sex that are presented with relapsing or progressive generalized neuromuscular disease.