Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Muscle weakness and neck droop from low potassium in Burmese cat
By Lantinga, E et al.·Published in Tijdschrift voor diergeneeskunde·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: [Periodic muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion caused by hypokalemia in a Burmese cat].
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old female Burmese cat was brought to the vet because she was experiencing periodic muscle weakness and her head was drooping down. Tests showed she had low potassium levels, which is a condition known as hypokalemia. This is a hereditary issue common in Burmese cats, leading to a diagnosis of periodic hypokalemic myopathy. After starting potassium supplements, her symptoms completely went away, and she returned to her normal self.
People also search for: Burmese cat muscle weakness · cat drooping head treatment · hypokalemia in cats · potassium supplements for cats
Abstract
A 2-year-old female Burmese cat was referred to the University Hospital of Companion Animals of Utrecht University because of periodic muscle weakness and cervical ventroflexion. Laboratory examinations revealed hypokalemia. The combination of breed, clinical signs and hypokalemia warranted the diagnosis of 'periodic hypokalemic myopathy', a homozygote recessive hereditary disease in Burmese cats. Potassium supplementation resulted in complete disappearance of the signs. Possible causes of hypokalemia in the cat are discussed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9700861/