Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat back problems: surgery vs. conservative treatment outcomes
By Amey, Jack A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Dick White Referrals, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Outcomes of surgically and conservatively managed thoracolumbar and lumbosacral intervertebral disc herniations in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 92 cats with intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH), which can cause back pain and mobility issues, were treated either with surgery or conservative methods like rest and medication. After six weeks, 62% of the surgically treated cats showed improvement, while 54% of those treated conservatively did as well. Both treatments had similar success rates after six months, but many cats still had some neurological deficits. Interestingly, cats that had experienced trauma were more likely to recover successfully. Overall, conservative treatment can be just as effective as surgery for this condition in cats.
People also search for: cat back pain treatment · intervertebral disc herniation in cats · cat mobility issues surgery vs rest
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited information is available regarding intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) and its treatment in cats. OBJECTIVES: Describe outcomes after surgical or conservative treatment of cats with thoracolumbar and lumbosacral IVDH. ANIMALS: Ninety-two cats from 2 referral populations (2012-2022) with compressive IVDH between the T3 and S1 vertebrae. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study evaluating outcomes of surgical (49 cats) and conservative (36 cats) management of IVDH; 7 cats were euthanized at diagnosis. Outcome was assessed using hospital and referring veterinarian records and client questionnaires. Successful outcome was defined as regained or improved ambulation, urinary and fecal continence, and no requirement for analgesic medication. RESULTS: Incidence of IVDH during the study period was 0.44% (92/20849). Surgical treatment resulted in 62% (6 weeks) and 74% success (6 months). Conservative treatment resulted in 54% (6 weeks) and 65% success (6 months). Neurological grade at presentation was higher in cats treated surgically (median, 2; range, 1-5) than in those treated conservatively (median, 2; range, 0-4; P = .001). Regardless of treatment type, cats suffering trauma were more likely to have a successful outcome 6 weeks after treatment compared with those without history of trauma (odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-26.78; P = .04). Neurological deficits remained in the majority of cats for both treatment types (92%, conservative; 86%, surgical at 6 weeks). Acute-on-chronic IVDH with characteristics of both extrusion and protrusion were identified in 10% of cats. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Conservative treatment could be as effective as surgical decompression in cats with thoracolumbar or lumbosacral IVDH.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38148600/