Assessment of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex in neurologically abnormal cats

Demographics, clinical findings and diagnoses of cranial thoracic myelopathies (T1-T6 vertebrae) in cats

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to describe the patient demographics, clinicopathological features and presumptive or final diagnoses in cats with myelopathies between the T1 and T6 vertebrae.

METHODS

This retrospective multicentre case study enrolled cases between 2015 and 2022 that were diagnosed with myelopathies between the T1 and T6 vertebrae as the primary cause for the presenting clinical signs.

RESULTS

A total of 21 cases matched the inclusion criteria, 13 males (11 castrated and 2 entire) and 8 spayed females (median age 93 months; range 5-192). Most of the cases presented with a chronic and progressive history (76% and 86%, respectively), with a median duration of 29 days (range 1-2880). At the time of presentation, 90% of the cases were localised to the T3-L3 spinal cord segments based on neurological examination. The most common underlying pathology was neoplasia (42.9%), followed by inflammatory (24%), anomalous (19%), degenerative (9.5%) and vascular (4.8%) disorders. The most common location was T3-T4 (29%), followed by T2-T3 and T5-T6 (19% each). The cutaneous trunci reflex was normal in 86% of the cases and most of the cases (71%) did not show spinal discomfort upon admission.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Neoplasia was the most common cause of cranial thoracic myelopathy in this study. The lack of pathognomonic clinical signs for this specific region highlights the importance of assessing the entire thoracolumbar region up to and including at least the T1 vertebra when investigating cases with signs consistent with a T3-L3 myelopathy.

Assessment of the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex in healthy cats: comparison of results acquired by clinicians and cat owners

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to evaluate the cutaneous trunci muscle reflex (CTMR) in healthy cats using methods performed by the clinician and the cat's owner at home.

METHODS

A total of 55 healthy cats without neurological abnormalities were included in this study. CTMR evaluation was performed sequentially in each cat using three methods by a clinician: method A, pinch skin with a straight 14 cm Crile haemostat forceps; method B, displace fur with the tip of a pen or haemostat forceps; and method C, poke skin with the tip of a straightened paper clip. The normal response rates for each method were obtained and compared. A 'CTMR performance score' was assigned for each cat, reflecting the presence of a normal CTMR response using one or more of the three methods. An 'owner performance score' was also obtained, reflecting the response of the CTMR when performed at home by the cat owner. The two scores were compared as paired data for each cat.

RESULTS

The CTMR was elicited normally in 17 (31%), 27 (49%) and 16 (29%) cats using methods A, B and C, respectively. Method B delivered a significantly higher percentage of normal responses. When comparing the 'CTMR performance score' and 'owner performance score', the percentage of normal responses was 60% and 100%, respectively, which was significantly different.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The overall normal response rate of the CTMR in healthy feline subjects was low when performed by a clinician, regardless of the method applied. Conversely, a high percentage of normal responses was obtained by cat owners performing CTMR at home, potentially indicating the impact of stress on the CTMR performance.

Assessment of the cutaneous trunci reflex in neurologically healthy cats

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to perform the cutaneous trunci reflex (CTR) in neurologically normal cats using two different instruments and determine how body condition score (BCS), body circumference, age, sex and instrument type may affect this reflex.

METHODS

Sixty-five cats without evidence of neurologic disease were prospectively enrolled. Cats were randomly assigned to have the reflex tested first using a pair of hemostatic forceps or the integrated Babinski tip of an MDF Babinski Buck Reflex Hammer. After 30 mins, the reflex was retested using the other instrument. Data collected included the reflex presence, reflex caudal border, reflex intensity (weak, moderate, strong) and reflex symmetry (unilateral or bilateral). The influence of BCS, body circumference, age and sex on these variables was statistically evaluated along with effect of the instrument used.

RESULTS

The CTR was elicited bilaterally in 52 (80%) cats and unilaterally in 64 (98%) cats. In two cats, the CTR was only able to be elicited using the Buck Reflex Hammer, while in four cats, the CTR was only able to be elicited using hemostatic forceps. Body circumference, BCS, age and sex had no effect on the presence, caudal border, intensity or symmetry of the CTR, regardless of the instrument used. No difference in the bilateral presence of the CTR was noted based on the instrument used first (P = 0.53). When assessing the influence of the instrument on reflex presence, caudal border, intensity and symmetry, the hemostatic forceps elicited the reflex further caudally (P = 0.02) and usually bilaterally (P = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

The CTR could be elicited in the majority of cats with both instruments. However, hemostatic forceps elicited a reflex more caudally and bilaterally symmetrical than the Buck Reflex Hammer.