Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with back mass and trouble walking treated with surgery
By Kelly M. Muller et al.·Published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science·2026·The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, New York, NY, United States, CH·View original on DOAJ →
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Original publication title: Case Report: Surgical management of a meningomyelocele in a cat
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2.5-year-old domestic shorthair cat was brought in because it was having trouble walking and leaking urine. The vet found a painful lump on its back and discovered that the cat had a condition called meningomyelocele, which is a type of spina bifida. The cat underwent surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord, and while it still couldn't walk or control its bladder afterward, it seemed more comfortable. This case is notable as it's the first report of surgery for this condition in a cat that couldn't walk.
People also search for: cat urinary incontinence · cat back surgery meningomyelocele · why is my cat not walking
Abstract
A 2. 5-year-old domestic shorthair cat was presented for evaluation of chronic progressive paraparesis and urinary incontinence characterized by leaking small amounts of urine and incomplete bladder emptying. General physical examination revealed a subcutaneous mass over the L4/L5 spinous process that was painful on palpation. Neurologic examination revealed non-ambulatory paraparesis with intact spinal reflexes, intact deep pain perception, and marked pelvic limb muscle atrophy. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well-circumscribed tract extending from the epidermis through a split L5 spinous process to the level of the dorsal meninges with associated dorsal deviation of the spinal cord. These findings were consistent with spina bifida at L5 and an associated meningomyelocele. A dorsal laminectomy was performed for surgical decompression and the diagnosis of meningomyelocele was confirmed via histopathology. Postoperatively, the cat remained non-ambulatory and incontinent but had improved comfort. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report of surgical management of a meningomyelocele in a non-ambulatory cat.
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Search related cases →Original publication on DOAJ: https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2026.1776519