Spinal cord compression and hindlimb paresis in cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI

Six cats with mucopolysaccharidosis VI had hindlimb paresis and other clinical signs associated with compression of the thoracolumbar spinal cord. In 5 cats, the neurologic abnormality progressed over 2 to 4 weeks to loss of thoracolumbar spinal cord function. In 1 cat, the hindlimb paresis remained stable for 18 months. In the cats with progressive worsening of hindlimb function, the abnormality was caused by compression of the spinal cord from proliferation of bony tissue in the thoracolumbar region. In all affected cats, the compression occurred from T12 to L2. In 1 cat, an attempt to relieve the clinical signs by surgery was unsuccessful.