Neurological lameness in the cat

Abstract

This review, aimed at all veterinarians who treat cats, sets out to describe the specific approach to cats with lameness that cannot be attributed to an orthopaedic cause. It describes the diagnosis and management of the most common neurological conditions responsible for lameness or monoparesis in cats.

Lumbar intervertebral foraminal disc extrusion in a cat

“…Differentials for neurological causes of lameness include vascular (ischaemic myopathy), inflammatory (neuritis), traumatic (peripheral nerve injury), toxic (localise tetanus), neoplastic (primary or secondary) and degenerative (lateralised IVDEs, foraminal stenosis). 4 A thorough neurological and orthopaedic examination is required to differentiate these causes. Clinical signs related to an IVDE are dependent upon the area affected.…”

Traumatic injury of left femoral nerve causing unilateral hindlimb lameness in a cat

“…Traumatic injury is a common cause for neurological and orthopaedic causes of lameness in small animals. [1][2][3][4]6,7,11 Outdoor access increases the risk of traumatic injury in cats. 13 As such, lameness in a cat noticed directly after unsupervised outdoor access is highly likely to have a traumatic aetiology, although other aetiologies cannot be directly excluded.…”

“…The femoral nerve is less likely to be externally injured than some other nerves due to its protected course through sublumbar musculature. 4 It is assumed that (like in dogs) the femoral nerve is formed by contributions of the fourth to sixth spinal nerves in most cats. The contributions of these spinal nerves form the femoral nerve in the psoas major muscle and continue in the iliopsoas muscle.…”

“…Loss of innervation by the femoral nerve results in rapid quadriceps muscle atrophy (denervation atrophy or 'neurogenic atrophy' occurs within 1-2 weeks). 2,4 The saphenous nerve, a branch of the femoral nerve, is responsible for sensory innervation of the medial aspect of the pelvic limb, pes and medial digit; hypoesthesia or anaesthesia may result from dysfunction thereof. 4 Taking into consideration the anatomy discussed above, involvement of the saphenous nerve would suggest a lesion at the level of or proximal to the site where the saphenous nerve branches from the femoral nerve.…”

“…Lameness in small animals can have a variety of causes, including orthopaedic and neurological disorders. [1][2][3][4][5] Traumatic brachial plexus injury is a frequent cause for monoparesis or monoplegia in dogs and cats. 6,7 Damage to peripheral named nerves, such as the radial or sciatic nerve injury, are reported fairly frequently in large animals such as horses and cattle, and small animals such as dogs and cats.…”