Web-Vet Neurology Specialists
Feline Immune-Mediated Polyneuropathy
The video below is of a 5-month-old Tonkinese with progressive tetraparesis. There was reduced extensor tone (as shown here with moderate plantigrade and palmigrade stance) and reduced flexor withdrawal consistent with generalised neuromuscular disorder.
Nerve biopsy was consistent with inflammatory neuropathy.
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A recent paper describes 55 cats presented with signs of neuromuscular weakness and electrodiagnostic findings consistent with polyneuropathy. The cats described in this study were < 3 years of age and consisted of 14 breeds. Histological findings from nerve biopsies were consistent with immune-mediated neuropathy in 87% of tested cats. Interestingly the outcome was similar in cats with no treatment when compared with cats receiving corticosteroids or L-carnitine supplementation with the overall prognosis for recovery being good to excellent in most cats. This study also discusses a comparison between this condition and Guillain-Barre syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, and acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. Click on the link below to read the study.
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