What is Vertebral Disc Inflammation?
Although IVDD is rarely seen in felines, it is a serious condition that must be addressed by a veterinarian.
A hunched posture, muscle spasms or inactive behavior could be an indication of vertebral disc inflammation, a painful condition for cats. Though various conditions can lead to vertebral disc inflammation, the most common cause is intervertebral disk disease (IVDD), a progressive disease of the spinal column that can result in spinal nerve and cord compressions. A cat with IVDD has either had the cushioning, fibrocartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc enlarge or herniate, which in turn causes the spinal column compressions. When a cat jumps on and off of furniture, or is handled roughly, the shock-absorbing discs of tissue found between the bones of the spine could be compromised.
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Symptoms of Vertebral Disc Inflammation in Cats
Vertebral Disc Inflammation in cats is typically first noted by pet owners during a petting session, as the most common sign associated with this disease is localized neck or back pain. The cat may vocalize, bite, or scratch owners as pressure is placed on the inflamed disc. The spinal column houses the body’s nerves which controls movement of the entire body, therefore, these additional symptoms may be present in a cat with IVDD:
- Holding the head low to the ground
- Unwillingness to jump
- Reluctant to stand or sit down
- Odd or unsteady gait
- Overall body stiffness and/or weakness
- Toe, foot or leg dragging in one/all limbs.
- Hunched or arched posture
- Abdominal tenderness
- Crying out when touched
- Inappropriate urination or defecation
- Trembling
- Localized paralysis
- Incontinence
- Sudden collapse
Types
There are two types of Vertebral Disc Inflammation that cats can develop:
- Type I: Type I IVDD is characterized by a herniated or slipped disc with a sudden development of symptoms. Type I disc disease can occur in felines of any age or breed, but it is commonly seen in dwarfed breed types.
- Type II: Type II IVDD is characterized by a degenerative protrusion of the intervertebral disc that occurs as the feline grows older. Type II IVDD is commonly seen in cats between the ages of eight to 10 years.
Causes of Vertebral Disc Inflammation in Cats
Vertebral disc inflammation can be caused by a variety of reasons including; a result of previous injury, a genetic mutation, old age, obesity, illness and unknown reasons.
Type I IVDD
In Type I IVDD, the outer layer of the intervertebral disc calcifies and hardens, damaging the supportive disc. The calcification around the intervertebral disc turns the collagenous, shock absorbing disk into a fragile tissue between vertebrae that can be easily damaged upon impact (when a cat jumps and lands). The calcification of an intervertebral disc can be caused by:
- Genetic Mutation: Mutations in a cat’s DNA caused by breeding that have caused a curvature in the spine. This spine curvature is often noted in the tail and identified as Bobtail, Corkscrew (piggy), Kinked tails, Ringtail or Manx.
- Hyperparathyroidism: Hyperparathyroidism is characterized as an abnormally high concentrations of the hormone parathyroid released into the blood. The excessive amount of the hormone results in a calcium deficiency, which in turn causes the bones to weaken.
- Old age
- Unknown reasons
Type II IVDD
In Type II IVDD, the intervertebral discs deteriorate over time, hardening and breaking down as the cat reaches causing the spine to compress.
Diagnosis of Vertebral Disc Inflammation in Cats
If you notice any of the above symptoms, especially localized pain or dragging of the limbs, your cat is likely suffering from IVDD. Diagnosis of IVDD in cats will begin with a physical examination performed by a veterinarian. He or she may perform a sensory function test to locate neurological signs of lost motor control. A sensory test is a simple examination, as the veterinarian will simply pinch the toes and tail of your cat to encourage a pain response.
During this physical examination, the veterinarian will need to know your feline’s medical history and any unusual behavior you have noticed. Helpful information you can provide includes:
- The symptoms you have noticed at home
- When you first noticed a change in your cat’s behavior or symptoms, and for how long.
- Your feline’s normal activity levels
- Past history of injury if any
- Current medications and change in medication
Knowing this information can help the veterinarian establish the problem and determine the best next step in the diagnosis. To confirm the diagnosis of IVDD, the veterinarian may perform an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), CT (computed tomography), myelography and/or x-rays.
Treatment of Vertebral Disc Inflammation in Cats
Cats which minimal pain and moderate signs can often recover within a few weeks with conservative care. Ask your veterinarian about anti-inflammatory and steroidal drugs that can discourage intervertebral swelling. Treating IVDD with conservative care has proven to be very effective if the pet owner can provide cage rest for the feline.
In cats with severe neurological symptoms, such as limb dragging or incontinence, emergency surgery must be performed to alleviate spinal cord pressure. A procedure called a laminectomy is often performed, which is a procedure involving removal of the lamina to relieve the compressed pressure.
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Recovery of Vertebral Disc Inflammation in Cats
Cats receiving conservative care can recover within a few weeks, however about 30% of these felines will have their symptoms recur and managing the condition may be a lifelong process. Cats which have received emergency surgery have a strong positive outlook of a full recovery if the surgery was performed within 48 hours of pain perception loss. If the surgery is delayed longer than this period of time, the chances of permanent damage increases.
A large majority of cats that have been diagnosed with IVDD also suffer from muscle spasms. Physical therapy and prescribed medical treatment can alleviate these spams, so talking with your pet doctor as soon as symptoms arise will help your cat’s condition.
Proper nursing care at home and in the veterinary office is the key to improving quality of life for those cats diagnosed with IVDD. Catching signs and symptoms early can increase the chances of your feline’s complete recovery, so do not hesitate to contact a veterinarian as soon as you notice chances in your cat.
Vertebral Disc Inflammation Average Cost
From 463 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,000
Average Cost
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Top
Vertebral Disc Inflammation Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
long hair
Puffy
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Urinating Outside Litterbox
On August 7 my kitty, out of nowhere seemed unwell. As the day went on he was having a hard time squatting to poop or pee in the litter box. Only coin size drops were coming out. Rushed him to the hospital midnight of Aug 8 and did all sorts of blood and urine testing. Nothing could be determined. Vets were able to get full stream of urine when they pushed on him. Sent home. August 8-9 kitty couldn't walk. Had poor mobility. He had an Xray that showed he has a calcified disk in his L6. He was prescribed Gabapentin and Robaxin for relief. Along with Metacam as needed. Since about August 9 he has been on it. He is almost walking up right again and feeling much better. He has started to poop in the litter box but he will not and cannot urinate in there. He hasn't used the litter box in well over a week. He still pees himself throughout the day to which I am cleaning him up. There is no pain or discomfort but I am concerned as to why the pee? He drinks plenty of water on his partial canned/raw diet but the one thing we can't control is him peeing himself. Is this a result of the calficied disc or the medicine? I contacted my vet today and she said to keep giving the kitty Gabapentin and Robaxin "as needed". However, I am not sure if this is curing the issue of incontinence? I am worried as I have to be out of the house full time next week and don't want kitty sitting in his own urine. Should he be in diapers until this resolves itself? What type of treatment is required for an L6 calcification? He is a happy 8 year old kitty who otherwise has a clean bill of health (he's had 3 different exams to prove it)
Aug. 17, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
It is difficult to say what the cause of the urination might be, but if he has a spinal problem caused by the calcification, it may be causing neurologic problems that are presenting as inappropriate urination. If you have to be out of the house for any length of time next week, it may be best to confine Puffy while you're gone. Diapers will only hold the urine closer to his body and cause sores.
Aug. 18, 2018
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Not sure
Kitty Frida jaco
10 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Dragging Back Legs,
Hip And Legs Hurt
Legs Don’T Move
My cat is only a year old and about 2 weeks ago she started limping 1 week ago she started dragging her legs. We took her to the vet last week and he said she has a herniated disk he gave her a steroid shot but she still isn’t using her back legs I’m not sure how I could help her because the surgery is too expensive is there anything I could do to help her besides the surgery or is their a place that’s free I could take her.
July 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Kitty Frida doesn't have any use of her back end, there is not very much that can be done to help her besides the surgery that has been recommended, sadly. Typically if animals have a disc problem, if it doesn't respond within about 24 hours and start using the legs more and more, the chances of recovery become less likely with more time. It would be a good idea to call your veterinarian and see what other options there are for her, if any. I'm sorry that is happening to her, she is so young.
July 13, 2018
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Cat
Tom tom
13 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Can’T Walk
Went to vet today. We did blood test results 604 and loss using hind legs. Due to finding he is now diabetic he needed insulin and steroid injection for his back. My vet recommended euthanizing since steroid would elevate glucose while trying to give insulin. Now I’m reading having diabetes can cause weakness in hind legs. I’ve had a senior diabetic cat before but she never had issues walking. So I’m feeling really guilty that if I could got his diabetes under control. My vet said having both disc issues and diabetic would be very hard on him with his age. Now I’m questioning if I should have tried to get his sugar level down if that could of alleviated the hind legs not working? Also he didn’t get much of pulse in his hind legs.
June 10, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Hind limb weakness is a sign of diabetes in cats, it is true. You may never know if treating the diabetes would have helped with his walking, or if he did have a disc problem. Your veterinarian would have had his best interest at heart, and one can hope that you trust that veterinarian to have helped you make the right decision. I am sorry for your loss.
June 10, 2018
Thank you.
I think it all came about in few weeks then he gone. Yes my vet is great and I think I was going through the mourning process. What could I have done different or second guessing myself.
Yes I went through the events yesterday and he said if it was only thing we could have treated. Having disc compression and diabetic with a 604 read, it would been hard to make him comfortable not treating both.
June 10, 2018
Tom tom's Owner
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short hair
Little
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Pain
Weakness
Pain And Weakness
I have an 8 year old male that has been diagnosed with Type 1 IIVD. He is in the very early stages and our vet is confident that crate rest/restriction and a 4-6 week course of anti-inflammatories would get the inflammation under control and get him mobile again. I plan to do all of this as I love the little bugger. What I am curious about is whether the addition of CBD oil to his meds protocol would help with keeping him calm and provide additional inflammation control.
May 12, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I don't personally have enough experience with CBD oils and IVDD. I have found that iin mild cases, anti-inflammatory medication and rest is typically quite curative. I hope that all goes well for Little!
May 13, 2018
Thank you for the response. Little is now home and on rest and cage restriction. We are doing the Onsior in the mornings along with Gabapentin twice a day. I have added 5 drops of CW Paws CBD oil for cats and it is keeping him quite calm and chilled out which means he is not pacing his cage anymore which just aggravated the IVDD. I know that there is not a lot info on CBD's for animals but at this point he is calm and not doing the anxious crying which he was doing prior to the CBD oil.
I know it is going to be a long 4 weeks for this little guy in a big dog kennel but if we want him to get healthy this is it. Thanks for looking at his case!
May 13, 2018
Little's Owner
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Shorthair Domestic
Biscuit
10 Years
3 found this helpful
3 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Arched Back, Puffed Side, Crying
My vet and I are perplexed. My 10-year-old female has exhibited many of the symptoms described above for five weeks. Blood work is great except for elevated H Creatine (724 on Jan 5 and 855 on Jan 25). Could these be at all related?
Feb. 4, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
3 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Biscuit, I'm not sure if her signs are related, but those can all be signs of pain or muscle injury, and an elevated Creatine can indicate muscle damage. I'm not sure if she is on any pain medications, but sometimes we need to try to treat pain and monitor for a response in animals, as they can't tell us. Many OTC pain medications are toxic to cats, so make sure that you talk with your veterinarian about pain control options. I hope that she is feeling better soon.
Feb. 5, 2018
Thank you. I'm requesting a myelography tomorrow. Biscuit has seen the vet over 5 times in the last 5 weeks, so she is well examined. My vet never brought up IVDD as a possible diagnosis. I imagine vets roll their eyes when human clients do this, but I'm also taking a couple articles in as well. (She has been on Metacam for ~3 weeks - monitoring kidney function - all good. But it hasn't diminished her pain much.)
Again, thank you!
Feb. 5, 2018
Biscuit's Owner
My cat is only a year old and about 2 weeks ago she started limping 1 week ago she started dragging her legs. We took her to the vet last week and he said she has a herniated disk he gave her a steroid shot but she still isn’t using her back legs I’m not sure how I could help her because the surgery is too expensive is there anything I could do to help her besides the surgery.
July 12, 2018
Christa P.
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Vertebral Disc Inflammation Average Cost
From 463 quotes ranging from $500 - $4,000
Average Cost
$1,200
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