Paralysis in cats. Paresis in cats: types of disease and methods of treatment

A condition such as paralysis in cats occurs against the background of life-threatening diseases of the animal - injuries, inflammatory processes in the spinal cord, surrounding muscles and nerves, circulatory disorders in the hind limbs, neoplasms. At the first symptoms, the owner should take the pet to a veterinarian, who will determine the cause of paralysis and prescribe treatment.

According to veterinarian V. Gerke, tetraparesis, which occurs against the background of thromboembolism, is considered a critically serious condition, in which the death of a cat in 50-70% of cases occurs within 24 hours.

Common causes of paralysis in cats

Practitioners believe that the most typical causes of paralysis in cats are:

Various injuries. The most dangerous are traumatic brain injuries, severe forms of open fractures, as well as injuries to the thoracic and sacral spine. In all these cases, there is a risk of breaking large nerve trunks, which will almost inevitably lead to serious consequences.

Infectious diseases. If the pathogen is able to pass through the blood-brain barrier, it will cause an inflammatory process and lead to either encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or myelitis (inflammation of the spinal cord).
Bone diseases, especially common in older animals. Arthritis, arthrosis, degenerative bone tissue lesions, herniated intervertebral discs - all these pathologies can contribute to the destruction of nerve fibers.
Poisoning. The effect of salts of heavy metals (lead), as well as some poisonous plants, is especially dangerous. This also includes bites from poisonous snakes and insects.

Video “Treatment of paresis in a cow”

The video provides an overview of means for the prevention and treatment of maternity paresis in cows.

There are a number of non-infectious diseases that need to be looked out for when raising cattle. These include postpartum paresis in a cow. Treatment is not very difficult and is not expensive. However, the disease brings considerable losses. Such a loss hits those farms where cow breeding is organized as a business the hardest. The death of even one head in a small farm significantly affects the profitability of production.

Symptoms and first warning signs

The owner should be alert to the following symptoms:

Any inhibition of the cat’s motor activity. If your cat suddenly stops showing interest in playing and running around the apartment, and his gait becomes “wooden,” it’s time to take him to the vet for a preventive examination.

The same must be done if the animal suddenly began to drag its paws, it became very difficult for it to get up after sleep (the paws of a sick cat may completely lose sensitivity), etc.

Often the development of paralysis is heralded by pain reactions. At the same time, the cat suddenly and for no apparent reason begins to meow hoarsely, scream loudly and growl in pain, trying not to step on the injured limb.

In many cases, the pet begins to panic, which is accompanied by strange and inappropriate behavior. This is more typical of rapidly progressing complete paralysis, when the cat suddenly loses control over his body.

How is the treatment carried out?

Therapy is prescribed by a veterinarian depending on the results of the diagnosis of tetraparesis; self-medication leads to the death of the animal. Paresis of limbs in cats due to injuries and tumors can be cured with surgical intervention. For thromboembolism, thrombolytics “Alteplzp”, “Streptokinase”, “Urokinase” are prescribed. Treatment of toxoplasmosis involves taking antibiotics such as Clindomycin or sulfonamides; veterinarians recommend Spiramycin for pregnant cats. Anti-inflammatory drugs Prednisolone or Dexamethasone are also prescribed. For botulism, anti-botulinum serum is administered. Maintenance therapy includes glucose solution. Feline polymyositis is treated with anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy. Veterinarians also recommend vitamin and mineral complexes to strengthen the immune system.

Main types of paralysis in cats

The following types of paralysis in cats are most often encountered in veterinary practice and are considered the most typical.

Paralysis of the front and rear limbs

Any experienced breeder will sooner or later encounter paralysis of the front or hind limbs (even in a mild form).

Most often, their development is due to the following reasons:

Injuries to the limbs themselves.
Injuries of the sacral and thoracic spine.
Traumatic brain injuries. Note that any blow to the head (from a fall, for example) is fraught with the formation of subarachnoid hematomas. Initially, the consequences may not be visible, but a couple of years after the injury, the cat may suddenly become paralyzed or die for no apparent reason.

In older cats, paralysis is caused by age-related degenerative pathologies of bone tissue. In these cases, the spinal cord roots may be damaged.

Partial and complete types of paralysis

Veterinarians divide paralysis into partial and complete. In the first case, only one limb (or tail) is taken away from the cat, or some part of the body loses sensitivity. Accordingly, with complete paralysis, half of the body may fail at once, and in the worst case, the cat will not be able to move at all.

Paralysis (paresis) of various nerves

This is a very common cause of immobility in cats. As such, paralysis (paresis) of various nerves is rarely primary and is much more often caused by the following factors:

Infectious diseases.
Advanced cases of abscesses (pus melts the nerve endings).
Poisoning.

In all these cases, the weaned part of the body itself is in perfect order, but due to a violation of the innervation, the organ does not receive control impulses from the central nervous system. Provoking factors of paralysis

No paralysis develops just like that; there are always certain provoking factors that accelerate the process of its appearance.

Paralysis after a tick bite

Ticks are carriers of blood parasitic diseases, one of the complications of which is paralysis. If your pet is outdoors at least occasionally, the chance of catching a tick is very high.

Poisoning

The cause of paralysis may be poisoning. The following compounds are especially dangerous:

Mercury vapor.
Salts of heavy metals. Lead compounds are the most insidious.
Organic solvents.
Traffic fumes.

Advice! Given the list of hazardous substances, cats should be kept away from garages, workshops and construction sites.

Stroke

One of the most dangerous and severe causes of paralysis is cerebral hemorrhage or stroke. If the cat does not die immediately, then in almost 100% of cases it remains a completely paralyzed “vegetable.” The chances of at least partial restoration of motor functions are extremely low.

After a stroke, the animal’s intelligence can become truly “carrot-like”: the cat will cease to be aware of what is happening around him and will involuntarily empty his intestines and bladder. For this reason, euthanasia is recommended.

Injury

Any injury to the head or spine can lead to paralysis. In addition, even with “ordinary” fractures (especially open ones), large nerve cords can be damaged, which also leads to disruption of the innervation of the affected part of the body.

Even in cases where the owner believes that everything is in order with his cat after “dropping” from the balcony, a thorough examination by an experienced veterinarian is necessary.

The consequences of injuries (especially traumatic brain injuries) often do not appear immediately.

Clinical signs

The symptoms of the disease in question are easy to recognize, but only when the problem has entered its final stage.

Of course, an attentive and observant owner will recognize the blockage in advance, but this, unfortunately, does not always happen. Let's move on to the most obvious symptoms and signs of intestinal obstruction:

Sudden change of mood. Much depends on the character. Some cats avoid their owners, hide in secluded places, and become irritable. Palpation of the abdomen causes severe pain. The cat loses activity, falls into apathy, and sleeps a lot. Others, on the contrary, meow pitifully, rub against their legs, and spend most of the time with their owner and family member.
Loss of appetite. The bowl increasingly remains empty, and after a while completely untouched. If the owner returns from work and the food has become windy, this is the first warning sign regarding obstruction. Sometimes the pet tries to swallow the food, but it immediately comes back out.
Vomit. The most obvious sign. Of course, it can be confused with the fact that the animal is choking or coughing up some inedible object. But, as a rule, vomiting is repeated over and over again. This usually happens within half an hour from the moment of swallowing a piece of food. Vomiting indicates partial obstruction. If you delay your visit to a specialist, the consequences will become much more serious.
Bloating. Food transportation has stopped. Paresis (paralysis) occurred. Slow rotting occurs in the intestine. The abdominal cavity is filled with gases and toxins. Leftover food wanders. The cat actively licks its belly or simply rolls around on the floor.
Aggression on contact. The longer the blockage occurs, the more painful it is for the animal. The cat scratches, growls and hisses when trying to approach or inspect him. Doesn't get picked up, avoids owner. But there are cases when cats allow the owner access to the abdominal cavity. Upon palpation, you may notice that its walls have enlarged or there is a foreign body there.
No feces in the tray. In general, the sign is indirect. Pets that often walk outside relieve themselves in any place they like. Even if bowel movement does not occur, this does not indicate intestinal obstruction. It is worth observing your pet for several days.

Perhaps he has a certain place where he likes to go to the toilet. As for the empty tray. The cunning fluffy could shit somewhere under the sofa. Cats are peculiar and, at times, vindictive animals.

If you suspect an illness, you should never give a laxative! This can lead to intestinal rupture.

The main diseases that cause the development of paralysis in cats

The main diseases that cause the development of paralysis in animals include:

Rabies.
Aujeszky's disease.
The action of a neurotoxin secreted by the causative agent of botulism.
In some cases, paralysis is a consequence of salmonellosis.
Encephalitis and myelitis of any etiology.
Embolism of regional vessels. In most cases, this leads to necrosis and gangrene, but if partial vascular patency remains, then the first to be affected is the nervous tissue, which is extremely demanding of nutrition and oxygenation.
Amyotrophic sclerosis, other neurodegenerative pathologies. Approximate treatment plan for a cat with paralysis

The treatment regimen we have given is approximate, and therefore it needs to be “customized” for each specific case.

If the case is severe, you should not expect any special effect, but if the sensitivity and mobility of the affected area are at least partially preserved, there is a chance.

A radical, but very effective method is the subcutaneous injection of a 0.5% strychnine solution. This is dangerous, the procedure should only be performed by an experienced veterinarian! Each cat should have no more than 0.0015 mg of active ingredient. If the animal tolerates treatment well, the dose may be increased to 0.002 mg.

Interesting! The deadly substance in this case plays the role of a stimulant, accelerating the restoration of contractility of nerve tissue and improving the conductivity of damaged nerve fibers.

Sollux lamps and similar medical IR lamps have proven themselves to be effective. The affected area is irradiated for 15 minutes up to 2 times a day. In the summer, the cat is taken outside in the morning and evening, giving him sunbathing. It is important to monitor your pet’s condition to prevent it from overheating and getting heatstroke.

Novocaine blockades. A prerequisite is to use only a warm and fresh 0.5% novocaine solution. If the blockade is done correctly, it speeds up the restoration of nerve fibers by 3-4 times.

At least 3 times a day you need to massage , gently kneading the affected part of the body. In this case, normal blood supply to the lost part of the body is quickly restored.

Rub it with the following composition up to 3 times a day:

Sodium chloride – 25 g.
Medical ethyl alcohol, diluted to 70% concentration - 150 ml.
Medical camphor – 7.5 g.

Causes

The causes of intestinal obstruction in cats may be the following.

Coprostasis

Sometimes constipation causes intestinal blockage. But these are different diseases. When feces become too dry, they “join” into a lump, and their “exit” becomes difficult. They accumulate and “clog” the intestines. They do not pass out on their own, and new feces are not allowed to leave the digestive tract.

This condition is dangerous because the body is “poisoned”. The animal develops severe intoxication (it’s not for nothing that the digestive tract is cleared of feces, because this is waste that is no longer needed). If this “garbage” remains in the body for a long time, then the toxins are absorbed into the blood through the intestinal mucosa and spread through the circulatory system to all cells.

Intestinal parasites

When a cat has a high degree of invasion, the intestinal lumen is too small. The parasites are very firmly attached to the intestines (for this they have special hooks and suction cups near the mouth opening). And in this case, you need to get rid of helminths very carefully, otherwise they can become dead and tangled into one large lump that gets stuck in the intestines. The animal will again develop intoxication (and not only due to the inability of feces to leave the intestines).

Foreign body in the intestine

Yes, sometimes a cat swallows something that cannot be digested. For example, threads, New Year's rain. They will not dissolve in the stomach, they will end up in the intestines, they will get tangled there, and the chance that foreign objects will come out on their own is very small. Giving laxatives can lead to intestinal rupture. Therefore, the only right decision would be to immediately seek help from a veterinarian, who will operate on the pet and remove what should not have entered the animal’s gastrointestinal tract.

Volvulus

Or intussusception (when one loop of intestine gets into another and gets pinched). In this case, not only the obstruction itself is dangerous, but also the fact that the enclosed area does not receive enough blood (the vessels are pinched). The longer the animal does not receive help, the worse the consequences. Invagination can occur due to increased motility and non-rhythmic peristalsis.

Pylobezoar

This “scary” name literally means “ball of hair.” This ball can form due to the fact that the cat licks its fur coat and swallows the hairs that fall out. Wool accumulates in the intestines (if there is a lot of it and it was not regurgitated by the mustache), because it is not digested. The gastrointestinal tract becomes clogged with it. And that’s it, feces cannot come out. The contents of the intestine can only move as far as the “plug” of wool, cannot move the bezoar, as a result, severe intoxication, stretching of the intestinal walls, up to their rupture. This cause is most often recorded in long-haired cats. An important role is played by age (old people and small kittens lose more fur), and health status (sick mustaches shed more than healthy ones), and the time of year (no one has canceled annual molts), and nutrition (if it is not balanced, then hair problems cannot be avoided).

Neoplasms in the intestines

Sometimes tumors grow very large and completely cover the intestinal lumen. If the owner gives the animal a laxative, this will not only not help, but may also worsen the animal’s condition. It will not be possible to save your pet without surgery.

Recovering a cat after paralysis: what can be done at home

The recovery period plays a huge role in success. If you do nothing, the results of the treatment will inevitably fade away, and the cat may become paralyzed again.

The following procedures are recommended:

Diathermogalvanization. Initially, we recommend using a current of no more than 0.25 mA, subsequently bringing it to 25-30 mA. The procedure is carried out up to two times a day, the duration of exposure is no more than 20 minutes (otherwise burns are possible). For maximum effect, it is recommended to moisten the electrodes of the galvanizing machine with a mixture of 0.5% strychnine solution and 3% calcium chloride solution. It should be taken into account that calcium chloride is a rather caustic substance, and therefore after exposure the areas where the electrodes are applied must be thoroughly washed with warm soapy water.

Veterinarians advise cats to engage in... swimming , even if these animals (for the most part) do not tolerate water. Studies prove that even 5 minutes of “swimming” in the bath replaces several massage sessions and contributes to the speedy restoration of motor functions.

Important! If the cat becomes hysterical at the sight of water, it is better to abandon this method. You should not expose your pet to unnecessary stress, as this can only worsen the dynamics of the disease.

Therapeutic exercises. Of course, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to do gymnastics with a cat. But the pet needs to be taught to walk again 3 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. To do this, you can take a surgical diaper and, hanging your pet on it, force it to move its paws. In addition, special systems of harnesses and pendants can be used for the same purposes.

Regular massage is required during the rehabilitation period. It is done up to 3 times a day, using gentle movements to stretch the muscles on the sore part of the body. This is done to improve blood circulation in the sore limb and accelerate the recovery of nerve endings.

Prevention of postpartum paresis

To avoid illness, adhere to the following rules:

do not allow overfeeding of cows during the dry period and in the stage of attenuation of lactation;
carefully monitor the balance of the diet in micro- and macroelements;
the percentage of roughage and concentrated feed in the animal diet must be strictly observed;
control the timely start of cows;
provide the livestock with regular active exercise.

Farms for cows must be equipped with special birthing boxes where the animal is placed before calving. There should be no drafts in the maternity ward.

For highly productive cows that have previously suffered from postpartum paresis, the following preventive measures are provided: vitamin D3 is administered intramuscularly twice, 7-10 days before calving, at a dose of 3-4 million units. Sugar is introduced into the diet, 200-300 grams per day for several days before and after calving.

Preventing paralysis in cats

There is no specific prevention of paralysis in cats, since this pathology can develop for many reasons.

But it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of its development:

It is necessary to vaccinate the cat in a timely manner and enter information about this into the animal’s veterinary passport.
The pet should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a quarter, and if the cat is no longer young, it can be shown to a specialist once a month.
If a cat has fallen from a balcony, been hit hard, etc., then it must be shown to a specialist, even if outwardly its condition does not cause alarm.
If an animal is not of breeding value, we recommend castrating/sterilizing it. The pet will become calmer and will not run away from home, which will minimize the likelihood of serious injury.

Diagnostics

To determine the disease in a cat, an external examination is carried out by palpating the abdomen. Also used for diagnostics :

blood analysis;
Analysis of urine;
contrast x-ray.

Based on the results, the treatment of obstruction is determined. At the discretion of the veterinarian, conservative or surgical treatment can be carried out. Without surgery, it is usually possible to cope with a problem that has arisen due to constipation and drying out of stool in the intestines.

Kinds

There are several types of paralysis. They characterize the degree of the disease.

With hemiplegia, damage occurs to the pelvic and thoracic region. In this case, the paws on one side are paralyzed. A symmetrical lesion also occurs, which is called paraplegia. Then paralysis of both lower extremities develops simultaneously.

In monoplegia, only one paw is affected. And with tetraplegia, all four limbs are completely paralyzed.

This disease is divided according to the area covered, namely paralysis:

larynx;
spinal;
hind limbs (may be ascending if it moves to the forelimbs);
facial nerve.

When the hind limbs are paralyzed, only their functions are impaired, while the front limbs remain healthy. If a cat has an injury to the radial nerve, on which the mobility of the front legs depends, then paralysis may well develop.

Uterine inversion and prolapse

Occurs due to excessive relaxation of the muscles of the uterus and its supporting ligaments. The reason may be rough removal of the placenta, a large fetus or multiple births (twins, triplets), rapid extraction of the fetus with a dry birth canal. Time of occurrence: childbirth and the postpartum period in the first hours. In case of incomplete prolapse (eversion), the animal behaves restlessly and attempts are observed. Rectal examination allows you to feel the fold, indicating the bending of the walls of the organ. An inverted uterine horn is found in the uterine cavity or vagina.

When the uterus is completely inverted, a pear-shaped formation hangs from the vulva, down to the level of the hock joint. On the surface of the uterus you can sometimes see an unseparated placenta. Subsequently, the uterus swells (edema), turns blue, and may bleed and rupture. The course of the postpartum period must be monitored in the first few hours after calving. This will help to provide the necessary assistance to animals in a timely manner and avoid irreparable consequences.

Prevention of postpartum complications

In order for a cow to calve without complications, as far as possible, it is necessary to worry in advance about the health of the woman in labor. The following points should be taken into account on the farm:

cows ready for mating must be of average fatness and absolutely healthy;
they should receive complete food, balanced in nutrients, vitamins, micro- and macroelements, including calcium;
Overfeeding of animals should not be allowed;
during the winter stable period, it is necessary to carefully observe the temperature regime in the premises where animals are kept;
strictly adhere to the schedule for launching calving cows, avoiding their excessive exploitation;
take preventive measures to prevent the possible occurrence of diseases:

- limit and, if necessary, exclude protein-rich foods from the diet 4-5 days before calving; — introduce chalk into the diet of calving cows; — animals must have constant free access to salt lick; - introduce sugar into the diet 3-4 days before and after calving;

special boxes must be built on the farm premises for receiving births from cows (if the farm does not have a special maternity ward)

During the pregnancy period, animals should not be exposed to stressful situations; they may be worried by a change in milkmaid, a change in the composition of the diet, a violation of the usual daily routine, or any unusual situation that arises in the barn or in the immediate vicinity of the animals. The staff must be attentive and immediately report the slightest change in the cow’s health to a veterinary specialist.

A cow after calving requires no less attention and care. Proper milking of an animal, especially if it is a first-calf heifer, will help avoid udder inflammation and prevent mastitis. Cows are inseminated during the first or second heat after calving. If the animal's cycle is disrupted, measures should be taken (stimulation with hormones) or, if necessary, a course of treatment should be prescribed.