Ischaemic neuromyopathy in cats

The effect of ischaemic neuromyopathy in cats on peripheral muscles and nerves is described. Motor function was severely decreased distal to the stifle particularly in the cranial tibial muscles. Skin sensation was absent distal to the mid tibial or hock level. The affected muscles were often hard and painful. Improvement of motor function began two to three weeks after onset and complete recovery could occur. Conduction to the interosseous and anterior tibial muscles is absent or severely reduced initially but returned and improved within two weeks. A few peripheral nerve fibres could survive the ischaemia, others showed varying defects on the myelin sheath but the majority degenerated. Shorter term recoveries were probably due to repair of the myelin sheath. Regenerated nerve fibres were also demonstrated. The cranial tibial muscles were commonly infarcted while less severe myopathic changes were found in the gastrocnemii. Provided further ischaemic episodes can be prevented the prognosis in these cases appears good.