Immune-Mediated Polyneuropathy
Polyneuropathies are an important cause of generalized weakness in young cats. Subsets of polyneuropathies include genetic, acquired, or idiopathic.
Age of Onset: Clinical signs most commonly occur in young cats around 10 months of age, although any age of cat can be affected
Sex Predisposition: Any sex of animal can be affected
Clinical Course:
Clinical signs can either be acute or insidious in onset. After onset, clinical signs are often progressive over the course of 2 weeks
Clinical signs can either be acute or insidious in onset. After onset, clinical signs are often progressive over the course of 2 weeks
Clinical Signs:
Posture and Appearance
Cervical ventroflexion
Movement
Tetraparesis to tetraplegia
Reduced jumping ability
Abnormal gait
Ataxia
Tail hypotonicity
Cranial Nerves
Variable cranial nerve deficits (dysphoniafacial paresis/paralysis, dysphagia, reduced menace response, reduced palpebral reflex)
Spinal Reflexes
Hyporeflexia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Urinary/fecal incontinence
Painful Reactions
Hyperesthesia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Posture and Appearance
Cervical ventroflexion
Movement
Tetraparesis to tetraplegia
Reduced jumping ability
Abnormal gait
Ataxia
Tail hypotonicity
Cranial Nerves
Variable cranial nerve deficits (dysphoniafacial paresis/paralysis, dysphagia, reduced menace response, reduced palpebral reflex)
Spinal Reflexes
Hyporeflexia
Special Functions (e.g. respiration; urination)
Urinary/fecal incontinence
Painful Reactions
Hyperesthesia
Muscle Atrophy
Generalized muscle atrophy
Peripheral nerve/neuromuscular
Unknown
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