Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Young Snowshoe cats with unusual nerve disease and leg weakness
By Matiasek, Lara A et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2009·Neurology/Neurosurgery Unit, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Axonal neuropathy with unusual clinical course in young Snowshoe cats.
- Species:
- cat
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 nerve problem called axonal neuropathy, which means the nerve fibers were damaged. Surprisingly, after about two years, both cats improved on their own without any specific treatment. Follow-up tests showed signs of recovery, indicating they were stabilizing and getting better.
People also search for: Snowshoe cat back leg weakness · cat nerve problems 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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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19815441/