What are Neuromuscular Disorders?
A number of conditions can affect the complex network of nerves that direct your cat's muscles. Cats with these nerve-muscle disorders may exhibit strange behavior such as spastic movements and spontaneous contractions. Consult your veterinarian if you believe your cat has a disorder affecting her nerves and muscles, as early intervention is important for treatment or management of these neuromuscular conditions in cats.
Two main components of your cat's nervous system are the brain and the peripheral nerves. The peripheral nerves send signals from the brain to your cat's organs and extremities to regulate all the processes that keep her alive. Some peripheral nerves control involuntary processes such as digestion, breathing and heart rate. Others send voluntary signals, such as those used for walking or playing with a toy.
Neuromuscular Disorders Average Cost
From 405 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,100
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Neuromuscular Disorders in Cats
There are a number of neuromuscular disorders that affect cats, but most manifest similar symptoms. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian immediately if your cat exhibits one of the following symptoms of neuromuscular disorders in cats:
- Seizures
- Muscle weakness
- Paralysis
- Absence of reflexes (hyporeflexia)
- Uncoordinated movements
- Loss of muscle tone (hypotonia)
- Loss of control of body movements (ataxia)
- Weakness after physical exertion
- Crouched stance
Types
The following are the most common types of neuromuscular disorders in cats:
- Motor neuron disease: Involves the death of nerve cells that control skeletal muscles.
- Tetanus: Unusual in cats, causes stiff paralysis in an extremity upon infection.
- Diabetic polyneuropathy: Affects cats with diabetes whose blood sugars are poorly controlled. These cats experience paralysis and atrophy that progresses over time.
- Drug-induced neuropathies: Affect cats who have been exposed to a toxic chemical, such as fertilizers or chemotherapy, that damages nerves.
- Myasthenia gravis: leads to tremors, stiff muscles, spinal flexion, and labored breathing from paralysis in the larynx. Myasthenia gravis is an inherited neuromuscular disorder.
- Muscular dystrophy: affects male cats and manifests with excessive production of saliva, hopping while running, stiff neck, vomiting, and difficulty exercising.
Causes of Neuromuscular Disorders in Cats
There are many causes of neuromuscular disorders in cats. Some conditions are inherited or congenital (present at birth), while others are acquired after trauma or infection with a bacteria, virus or parasite. Once your veterinarian diagnoses your cat, he can explain the possible causes of that particular neuromuscular disorder in more detail.
Diagnosis of Neuromuscular Disorders in Cats
Your veterinarian will begin the diagnostic process with a thorough physical examination of your cat, including the collection of a comprehensive history. If a veterinarian suspects your cat is suffering from a neuromuscular disorder, this physical examination will include an evaluation of the cat's gait for weakness, limping, stumbling, tripping or walking in circles. A righting test, whereby a cat is placed on its back and observed as it recovers its standing position, is often performed to test coordination. A wheelbarrow test offers insights into the functioning of your cat's front legs.
Your veterinarian will also palpate the neck and front legs to search for areas of pain or loss of muscle tone. The trunk and hind quarters may be evaluated for abnormal posture or muscle tone. Your veterinarian may also inquire into the recent whereabouts or dietary habits of your cat.
Several laboratory tests are appropriate for the diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders in cats. Blood tests may be ordered to rule out exposure to a neurotoxic substance. Myasthenia gravis and infections can also be detected using blood tests.
A spinal tap involves the removal of cerebrospinal fluid from the base of a cat's skull. Depending on your cat's symptoms, a culture of spinal fluid may be ordered to indicate cancer, encephalitis, infection, or internal bleeding related to trauma. An electromyogram (EMG), which tracks the transduction of electrical impulses through the nerves, is another useful tool in the diagnostic process.
Treatment of Neuromuscular Disorders in Cats
Treatment options for neuromuscular disorders in cats vary as greatly as their causes. Infections will be treated with antibiotic, antifungal, antiparasitic, or antiviral drugs. Surgery may be appropriate to repair a nerve-muscle junction that has undergone some trauma.
For conditions that cannot be cured, anticonvulsant, anti-inflammatory or steroid medication can be used to manage symptoms. Only your veterinarian is qualified to prescribe medications for your cat or alter her treatment plan.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Neuromuscular Disorders in Cats
Some forms of neuromuscular disease will resolve quickly with treatment, while others will require lifelong management. Cats with persistent paralysis may be candidates for a wheelchair. Certain medications may also be administered to relieve pain, inflammation or convulsions. Regardless of the particulars of your cat's condition and treatment plan, follow-up appointments are a cornerstone of management for these cats to track recovery and rehabilitation or recommend environmental or behavioral changes to better manage your cat's condition.
Neuromuscular Disorders Average Cost
From 405 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,100
Top
Neuromuscular Disorders Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
domestic short hair
Guinness
15 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lack Of Muscle Control
My cat is experiencing some wobbling movements as if he is unable to control his rear legs. His mri and spinal tap were normal. He takes medication for a thyroid condition and insulin for diabetes. Not sure where to seek more help
July 17, 2018
0 Recommendations
There are various conditions which may affect a cat’s gait including age related conditions, spinal issues, hip issues, cerebellar disorders among other conditions; without examining Guinness it is difficult to pinpoint a specific causes especially if the MRI (assuming full body) and spinal tap were clear. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 18, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
None
Samantha
17 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Back Legs Flop Violently
My approximately 17 yo cat has twice (that I have witnessed) awakened, tried to get up, and her back legs have violently flopped her whole body from side to side. After just 2 or 3 seconds the episode is over she gets up and walks away as if nothing has happened.
July 1, 2018
3 Recommendations
Most likely this is age related, however it is difficult to say for certain whether or not there is something else going on; spinal disorders, hip disorders among other conditions may lead to similar swaying when standing. I would keep an eye on Samantha for the time being and bring it up with your Veterinarian at her next checkup. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 1, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Domestic shorthair
Bobbob
10 Years
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Able To Chew
My cat is having trouble eating hard food and even some soft. Three different vets have looked at his teeth and say that they are fine. He was able to eat treats a couple of weeks ago but now turns those down.........Could this be neuromuscular
May 31, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
1 Recommendations
Without being able to examine Bobbob or assess his mouth, I"m not sure if the problem is tooth related, or if he has a problem with his jaw. Since you have had him seen by 2 veterinarians, it would be best to follow up with one of them, let them know that the problem isn't getting better, and see what the next step is towards figuring out what is going on with him. Sometimes a problem will progress to the point where we have additional clues to help us, and they may be able to find something that they didn't see weeks ago.
May 31, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
tabby
Prim
1 Year
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Wheezing
Hi my cat like tenses up while sleeping every few seconds. I’ve noticed her doing it a lot in the past week. She doesn’t seem to be in any pain.
Read more at: https://wagwalking.com/cat/condition/neuromuscular-disorders
March 21, 2018
3 Recommendations
There are a variety of different causes for tensing, twitching and other similar symptoms; central nervous system disorders, tumours, traumatic injury, poisoning, medication side effects among other causes may lead to these symptoms. You should record Prim sleeping and visiting your Veterinarian to review the video and to perform a thorough examination. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
March 21, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Cat
Beeboo
2 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weakness
Vomiting
Lethargy,
Weakness In Extremities
I have a 2yo cat he he has had trouble jumping on things on and off the last year. I Yesterday he seemed weak and I had to help him up on couch. I saw him vomit some bile yesterday. Today I have seen him vomit 3 times. Always a small amount of bile. He is very lethargic and can't walk more than a few feet without sitting down.I watched him go to the bathroom and the bm looks normal. He did seem to be very uncomfortable when going. To me it wasn't the bm but more of the position he gets in to go. He seems really sore. He is an indoor cat.he did eat a small amount of the broth like cat food today. Haven't noticed him drinking yet.
Feb. 18, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without being able to examine Beeboo, I can't comment on what might be going on with him. It would be best to have him seen by a veterinarian today. They will be able to examine him, determine what might be going on, and give him and treatment or supportive care that he might need. I hope that he is okay.
Feb. 18, 2018
I live in a rural area and no vets have been available today and all I have called said give us a call Monday. I am just worried he can't walk a few feet without laying down/resting. Google is not your friend with these symptoms. I'm just so worried. Thanks
Feb. 18, 2018
Beeboo's Owner
I have a question. Can cat's feel sick and vomit bile due to pain from other issues. For example a back injury. I feel like he may have hurt his back a while ago and was to active or maybe fell again recently. About a year ago I noticed one day that he was weak in hind legs. After a few days he seemed back to himself. I thought maybe he fell did something to his back then. He is kinda clumsy and he has another cat that he plays with.
Feb. 18, 2018
Beeboo's Owner
Was this question and answer helpful?
mixed
Dazzle
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Muscle Loss
Not Walking
Hi I have a 8yo cat, shes unable to walk on her forelimbs, due to muscle loss. her MRI and blood test is normal, her X-ray shows neck compression,she's undergoing light therapy and acupuncture now but no progress yet. Her condition has been like this since a month now. She eats well, but shes still in pain. just is not able to move anywhere. her hind body seems to be fine just the forelimbs muscles are losing. In the past she use to get in sleep frightened and jump off the bed due to which she injured the internal forelimb muscle as suggested by vet.But no progress with the current treatment
Neuromuscular Disorders Average Cost
From 405 quotes ranging from $500 - $3,000
Average Cost
$1,100
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
