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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Young Snowshoe cats with unusual nerve disease and leg weakness

By L. Matiasek et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2009·View original on Semantic Scholar

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Original publication title: Axonal neuropathy with unusual clinical course in young Snowshoe cats

Species:
cat
Brain & nervesCats

Plain-English summary

Two young male Snowshoe cats were brought to the vet because they were experiencing weakness in their back legs that got worse over time. Tests showed they had a type of nerve damage called axonal neuropathy. Interestingly, after about two years, both cats improved on their own without any specific treatment, and follow-up tests confirmed that their condition was stabilizing. This case highlights that some cats with nerve issues can recover without intervention.

People also search for: Snowshoe cat leg weakness · cat nerve damage treatment · why is my cat weak in the back legs

Abstract

Neuropathies in cats are mostly acquired. In comparison to the dog, only very few inherited forms have been described. This case report describes the clinical and diagnostic findings of a suspected inherited feline axonal neuropathy with a very unique clinical course. Two young related male Snowshoe cats were presented with an initially progressive history of recurrent pelvic limb weakness. Electrodiagnostic investigations suggested an axonopathy and muscle–nerve biopsies confirmed axonal degeneration. Over the following 2 years both cats stabilised without any specific treatment, and repeat electrodiagnostic investigations and muscle biopsy in one cat confirmed the tendency for remission.

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Original publication on Semantic Scholar: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/19815441