What is Muscle Contraction Disease?
Muscle contraction disease in cats is known to the veterinary world as “myoclonus”, a neurological disease of the muscles, causing repetitive and rhythmic muscular contractions of one or more groups of muscles. Myoclonus is thought to be caused by abnormal pacemaker activity in the neurons due to infections such as coronavirus meningoencephalitis. Myoclonus can also be congenital; present at the time of birth, causing hypertonicity (spasms) at an early age. The prognosis for congenital myoclonus is rather poor and veterinary consultation is advised for felines suspected of having myoclonus.
Muscle contraction disease in cats is a condition that causes the muscles to contract suddenly without the animal intending to move said muscle. You may notice this involuntary movement in your cat’s legs, abdomen, neck or head. The muscles may contract lengthwise or vertically on the cat’s body. If the disease is affecting the jaw, you may notice what is called a “chewing gum fit” where the rhythmic movements of the jaw resemble that of a person chewing a stick of gum. Certain medications and infections can cause muscle contraction disease, whereas other felines are simply born with the condition.
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Symptoms of Muscle Contraction Disease in Cats
Symptoms of muscle contraction disease in cats are very clear. Cat owners will be able to visibly see the disease causing the muscles of their feline’s legs, abdomen, head, neck or jaw to contract. The muscle contractions of myoclonus are usually short-lived, lasting just a few seconds from the time they started. The involuntary, rhythmic contractions can cause the feline to become unsteady and she may stumble upon walking. It is not uncommon for muscle contraction disease to affect cats while they sleep, abruptly waking the feline.
Types
- Nocturnal Myoclonus: Sleep induced involuntary muscle contractions.
- Congenital Myoclonus: The cat is born with involuntary muscle contractions and the spasms occur for no known reason.
- Active Myoclonus: Involuntary muscle contractions are triggered by a cat’s movement or wanting to move.
- Stimulus-sensitive myoclonus: Muscles contract due to light, noise, or touch.
Causes of Muscle Contraction Disease in Cats
There is no one cause of muscle contraction disease, but rather a group of conditions believed to cause this disease. Viral infections, such as distemper, and bacterial infections affecting the brain, like meningitis, are thought to be the most common causes of myoclonus. Metabolic abnormalities, intoxications, cofactor deficiency, and lesions of the central nervous system have also been known to cause muscle contraction disease. Chemotherapy drugs, such as chlorambucil, used to treat leukemia are also believed to cause myoclonus in cats. Lastly, muscle contraction disease can also be congenital, a disease the feline was born with.
Diagnosis of Muscle Contraction Disease in Cats
Your veterinarian will need to go over any past illnesses, injuries and surgical procedures your cat has had over the course of her entire lifetime. Reviewing her medical history will also help to pinpoint any medications that have been used on your feline that could have caused the muscle contractions. A physical examination, a blood test, and urinalysis will likely be a part of your cat’s diagnostic procedure, as these tests aid in pinpointing abnormalities. An MRI or CT scan is not uncommon in diagnosing muscle contraction disease cases, as the veterinarian will likely want to evaluate the brain. Your veterinarian may also want to evaluate the spinal fluid using a needle, a procedure also called a spinal tap. Infection of the spinal cord, such as meningitis, can be detected through evaluation of the spinal fluid.
Treatment of Muscle Contraction Disease in Cats
The treatment plan for a cat with myoclonus varies from one case to another, as this disease can be caused by underlying health problems or for idiopathic reasons. Antibiotics are commonly prescribed to patients with bacterial infections causing the feline to display involuntary contractions, whereas viral infections are treated with fluid therapy, medicine to take a fever down and other supportive care. Anti-inflammatory medications may also be prescribed to those felines experiencing swelling on the brain or spinal cord. The most appropriate form of treatment cannot officially be established without the examination of a licensed veterinarian.
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Recovery of Muscle Contraction Disease in Cats
The prognosis for muscle contraction disease caused by an underlying infection or medication use is relatively good. The muscle contractions usually cease or become less frequent after a cat has received veterinary treatment. Felines born with the condition do not have the best long-term prognosis, as there is no definitive treatment or cure for the disease by itself. Your veterinarian may alter your cat’s diet and perhaps suggest supplementation. He or she may also recommend keeping your cat’s stress levels down to reduce the chance of active myoclonus from occurring.
Muscle Contraction Disease Average Cost
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Top
Muscle Contraction Disease Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Cat
Fluffy
13 Years
18 found this helpful
18 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Muscle Tightening
I have a 13 year old female feline. I took her to the vet and they noted her from k-nine was missing, blood work came back looking great and she was over all healthy. I took her in because I feared she had seizures, he ruled those out and gave seizure medicine to try if I wanted and an antibiotic for her. I have noticed the only time she has any issues is when she is cleaning herself. Her muscles almost seize up for 5-10 seconds and she is fine. Tonight it took a few seconds for her back leg to unlock. But she is not dazed out, no drooling or confusion. She is an indoor/outdoor cat, not exposed to anything new, no other cats around, one dog who’s been in home for around 3 years. The only time it happens is when she is bathing herself, across the back side.
Aug. 26, 2018
18 Recommendations
Generally I don’t like the use of daily seizure medication unless and animal has a history of regular seizures; the symptoms you’re describing may be just from old age and muscles being stiff or spasming when stretched. I would keep an eye on Fluffy and follow up with your Veterinarian if there is no improvement. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 26, 2018
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TORTOISE shell
Missy
6 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Back Problems
My cats back moves when you rub it like the muscles move in like a wave affect from her head to her tail it doesn't seem to bother her and when you pet her he shoulders will twitch
Aug. 21, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Cats have many nerve endings in their skin, and that may be normal for Missy. If it is something that you have noticed is a new behavior, it would be a good idea to have her examined by a veterinarian, but otherwise it may be quite normal.
Aug. 21, 2018
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Ragdoll
Miss Kitty
19 Years
31 found this helpful
31 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Severe Muscle Contractions
My cat started displaying severe muscle contractions two years ago. Sometimes she falls over or off furniture while sleeping, sometimes it occurs when she is walking. It’s as if she suddenly seizes up, contorts, and falls over. I always begin to pet her, gently, massaging her from head to tail, which seems to help her recover more quickly, and calms her. She is now 19 years old. Is this something she will have to live with, and is she suffering?
July 24, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
31 Recommendations
If these contractions have been going on for two years, it seems that it is not going to get better, and she seems to be living with the condition. Without seeing her, I'm not sure if she is suffering, but if she is eating and drinking and otherwise seems to be acting quite normally, she may be fine with this problem. If you aren't sure, it would be a good idea to have her seen by a veterinarian, and video the episodes for them so they can see her when she does it.
July 24, 2018
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Domestic shorthair
Tyson
11 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Muscle Tremors
Hiding
Tyson is an 11 month old DSH who up until 4 weeks ago was a perfectly healthy very active kitten. He took a fall off his cat tree 4 weeks ago and since he has been having severe, what looks like, muscle contractions that even throw him backwards sometimes. Our regular vet took xrays and sees nothing obvious that is wrong there. He prescribed Metacam for 3 days. There was a little improvement for a few days but he relapsed and seemed to get worse. More Metacam was prescribed and there was really no improvement this time. We opted to try some accupuncture and there was a small response after the first treatment but he just had a second treatment and there doesn't seem to be any changes. She did also put Tyson on a Homeopathic Remedy mix. Could this be myoclonus and is there any suggestion on what the next step should be. Tyson is a part of the family and we want to do whatever we can to make him comfortable and happy. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you
June 21, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
It might be a good idea to have a referral to an internal medicine specialist, since standard care doesn't seem to be improving Tyson, and he doesn't seem to be improving. They may be able to determine more what is going on, and recommend any therapy that he may need if this is the result of a trauma.
June 21, 2018
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domestic medium hair
Ophelia
4 Years
4 found this helpful
4 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Repetitive Chewing Behaviour
Muscle Contractions
My foster kitty has muscle contractions when she lies down to rest or sleep. If I am holding her when this happens it feels as though her muscles are tightening briefly similar to a shiver muscle contraction in humans. She also frequently rhythmically chews with her jaw when there is nothing in her mouth. She will chew for awhile. Pause. Start chewing again. Pause. The blood work said her globulins (sp?) were high but the vets aren’t sure what it is. They suggested focal seizure but it appears to be triggered by movement of the mouth (yawning, starting to eat, rubbing up against something with her cheek). I want to know what it is so we can treat it but also so her new forever family will know what they are dealing with.
May 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
4 Recommendations
If Ophelia is having focal seizures, she may have a brain abnormality that is causing those signs, or she may have mild epilepsy. Without an MRI, there really isn't any way to determine the cause, and if it is something that is not worsening, it may not be something that needs treatment. Since I cannot examine her, I can't say for sure, but this would be a good question to ask of your veterinarian, as they have examined her and can give you a better idea as to whether it needs treatment.
May 13, 2018
My cat has leg spasms a lot, since she was born. Now she is having bad ones along her spine, she is screaming in pain when it happens. It comes and goes. I’m freaking out
July 22, 2018
Dana
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Cat
Whiskers
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Abdominal Spasm
My cat went into surgery to have mammary tumors removed. About a month after the surgery she started having muscle spasm in her abdominal area. Vet says maybe nerve damage from the surgery. Anyone have any advise or experience with this?
Muscle Contraction Disease Average Cost
From 480 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,000
Average Cost
$800
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