Radial paralysis in a cat

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Bob Russell — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 14:28:43 GMT

Keeping an eye on the cats condition at the moment. Infection is cleared. Owner thinks there may be some improvement but happy to wait it out for now.

Thanks

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Beats — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 14:14:59 GMT

Don't amputate a leg on a cat for radial nerve paralysis at level of elbow.

It almost always comes right, and even if it doesn't, they generally learn to flip the foot out.

I'd second reassess in 6 weeks and keep inside.

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Bob Russell — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 13:34:33 GMT

The owners told me the cat is not reactive and they were not surprised at the lack of reaction.

This is an insured patient so a neurology referral is on the cards once the infection is under control. I have ruled nothing out!!

I will keep everyone updated but it really is quite a curiosity!

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

James Dunne — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 13:03:30 GMT

hi Bob

Just a thought - while I'd echo the comments already posted, you mentioned in an earlier message that there was no reaction from the 'good' leg. While it is quite possible that the floppiness is related to a localised neuropraxia from a cat bite, could it be that your cat has a peripheral neuropathy and this is why there is poor nociception on multiple limbs? Time will tell if other limbs develop neurological symptoms.

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Bob Russell — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:25:57 GMT

[quote user="Kate Richardson"]

Can you check for a pulse? Any indication of heart disease? Have seen one of these secondary to a thromboembolism

[/quote]

Warm foot with good circulation. No evidence of heart problems and X-ray shows a normal cardiac silhouette.

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Bob Russell — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:23:15 GMT

This cat has a clear cut tooth mark on its leg. I have no doubt there has been a purulent discharge consistent with a cat bite. Owners are not the most observant in the world and allowed the cat to move round the house for a week with a floppy leg. They were booked in because the cat was lame!!

There is no evidence of other trauma, nails are not scuffed. Catagram is clear.

I cannot rule out a 'pull' type injury but the bite is where it should be to damage the nerve. I am hoping that the infection is a factor but am not that optimistic.

I don't want to jump the gun with irreversible intervention but this cat is so stoical that I wonder if anything short of chopping a limb off will get a reaction!!

Many thanks for the ideas/advice.

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

grumpyoldman — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 10:12:56 GMT

As above , Horners can be quite subtle in cats ,if it has one on the affected side tends to mean proximal and caudal plexus roots affected (T1-T3). I wouldn't do anything for 6 weeks Cats are terrible with post surgical/traumatic neuropraxias I have seen several recover normal function without any intervention.

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Kate Richardson — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 16:13:34 GMT

Can you check for a pulse? Any indication of heart disease? Have seen one of these secondary to a thromboembolism

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Bob Russell — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:53:26 GMT

Good foot/leg is working perfectly. The cat is stoical!

RE: Radial paralysis in a cat

Liz Barton — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 14:36:57 GMT

[quote user="Bob Russell"]The problem is I cannot elicit any reaction on the good foot[/quote]

Hi Bob

Am I reading this right - is the 'good foot' contralateral and perfectly functional/unaffected? And I presume the 'bad foot' is on the limb with radial paralysis and the bite wound / infection. I would wait until the infection has cleared and see what you're left with. If it's okay from elbow up and it's just distal antebrachium affected you may find the cat learns to flick the carpus/paw and copes well enough. If the infection isn't clearing and you end up with significant slough and large tissue deficits I'd consider amputation earlier. Also depends if you're able to control the pain so the cat stops self-traumatising. Do you have any photos of the limb?