Rehabilitation of Paraplegic kitten

Presentation based on articleDipika Kadaba

Key words

Cat paraplegia depression physiotherapy

Spinal trauma

• Serious medical condition• Especially veterinary cases, as most patients

are likely to be euthanized– WITHOUT medical or surgical intervention– Despite studies:• Paraplegic cats can sometimes regain normal

ambulatory functions

Earlier cured

• Cage rest with restricted movement• Physiotherapy

•Well-known but only few reports of the extent of improvement

• the value of psycological support is NEGLECTED in veterinary therapeutics

Three weeks old parapletic kittenhttp://stuffofawesome.com/lewis-our-paraplegic-kitten-at-3-weeks-old-1310925603-7243.jpg.html

Kitten’s symptoms

• Abnormal elevation over the thoracic spinal region

• Abdominal and urinary bladder distension• Atrophy of hind limb muscles• Faecal incontinence• Urine retention along• Loss of motor control and sensation in the

lower half of the body

Treatment

Combination ofRest and dietPhysiotherapyClinical therapy

Four weeks of rest and proper diet+ no signs of paresis remained in any region of the body+ full range of motion of all limbs was regained

BUT- losing natural tendency to play and explore- time spent on grooming was less than normal - lack of interest in her surroundings

-> depression!Full recovery protracts↓

Physiotherapy• Initially patient resisted, eventually enjoyed–Psychological mainstay from therapist

→patient’s actively participate in exercise

→willing to walk for a markedly longer duration when accompanied by people as opposed to when she was alone.

• Consisting flexion and extension of the hind limbs alternately

Clinical treatment

• Infrared Light– Twice daily for five to ten minutes

• Faradic current therapy (=Neuromuscular electrical stimulation)

– Followed current along the spine and hind limbs

→ development of hind limb muscle tonenormal ambulatory capability

Discussion• Recovery from the poor initial prognosis is not

possible without psychological encouragement • When the spinal trauma is not severe, medical

treatment may be sufficient–used in this case as there were signs of

spontaneous improvement without surgical intervention.

• Euthanasia is not the only option

Conclusion

– Carefully planned physiologial exercise with intensive support

– Resting – Proper diet– And psysical treatments

was employed towards the recovery of the patient

References

http://vetscan.co.in/v6n1/82-Rehabilitation-Paraplegic-Kitten-Acute-Depression.htm

Thank You for listening me

Elina AirolaVeterinary Medicine

Tartu 2011