Multiple Cervical Vertebral Malformations in a 21-Week-Old Kitten

A 21 wk old, 2 kg neutered male domestic shorthair presented with a 24 hr history of acute-onset severe nonambulatory tetraparesis with no known inciting cause. Neurologic examination revealed a C1-C5 myelopathy. Computed tomography of the vertebral column and thorax revealed incomplete ossification of the C2 and C3 vertebrae and lung bullae. After 4 wk of conservative management, the client reported a return to normal ambulation with reluctance to jump up. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of a feline case of incomplete ossification of cervical vertebrae. The cervical malformations outlined in this report are differentials to consider in cases of acute-onset tetraparesis in cats.