Intervertebral disk disease in 10 cats.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Comparative Medicine

Background:

• Intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) is a debilitating spinal condition affecting various animal species.
• Feline IVDD is less understood compared to canine IVDD, with limited data on clinical presentation and treatment outcomes.
• Understanding IVDD in cats is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the clinical and radiographic findings of intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in cats.
• To evaluate the treatment outcomes for cats diagnosed with IVDD.
• To identify factors associated with successful surgical intervention for feline IVDD.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of medical records for 10 cats diagnosed with IVDD.
• Analysis of clinical signs, age, breed, and sex predilections.
• Radiographic and advanced imaging (myelography or CT) findings were assessed.
• Surgical intervention and outcome data were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• The mean age of affected cats was 9.8 years, with no significant sex or breed predilection.
• Common clinical signs included back pain, ambulatory dysfunction, and incontinence.
• IVDD predominantly affected the thoracolumbar spine, particularly the L4-L5 intervertebral disk space.
• Eight cats experienced Hansen's type I IVDD; surgical decompression was performed in seven cats.
• All cats that underwent surgical decompression achieved an excellent outcome.

Conclusions:

• Intervertebral disk disease in cats typically affects older animals and commonly occurs in the thoracolumbar region.
• Surgical decompression appears to be an effective treatment for feline IVDD, leading to excellent outcomes.
• Further research is warranted to fully elucidate the pathophysiology and long-term prognosis of feline IVDD.