Page 862 - Problem-Based Feline Medicine

854 PART 10 CAT WITH SIGNS OF NEUROLOGICAL DISEASE

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● Hypokalemia (p 865)
Typically older cats or Burmese < 1 year of age. Signs include weakness, inability or reluctance to
walk or jump, stiff, stilted gait, neck ventroflexion and sensitivity to palpation of larger muscle
groups. A short duration tremor may be present episodically and usually when the cat attempts
purposeful movement.
NEOPLASTIC

● Neoplasia (p 869)
A 2-year-old cat has been reported with diffuse tremor resulting from multiple meningiomas.
Clinical signs progressed to paresis and ataxia.
INFLAMMATORY
● Encephalomyelitis (p 864)
Clinical signs are often diffuse and may not localize to a single area within the nervous system.
Fever and leukocytosis may be present but are inconsistent findings. The associated tremor tends
to involve the entire body and is rapid and of low amplitude (fine).
● Myasthenia gravis (p 866)
Typically adult cats or Siamese < 1 year of age. Tremor usually is episodic and occurs during
movement. Generalized weakness, a stiff, stilted gait prior to collapse, ventral neck flexion and
decreased palpebral reflexes may also be seen. The gait improves with rest.
● Polioencephalomyelitis (p 868)
This is a diffuse nervous system disease that primarily affects the spinal cord. A viral cause is sus-
pected. Signs have a slow onset and are chronically progressive. They include pelvic limb ataxia,
paresis, hypermetria, intention tremors, decreased pupillary light reflexes, seizures and hyperesthe-
sia over the thoracolumbar area.
IDIOPATHIC
● Feline hyperesthesia syndrome* (p 862)
A syndrome in which cats become suddenly startled, agitated and often run madly, usually when
stimulated over the thoracolumbar area of the spine. Skin rippling and spasms occur usually over
the lumbar region and the cat may lick or bite this area.
TOXICITY
● Toxins* (p 861)
Toxins such as organophosphate, hexachlorophene and ivermectin can affect nervous system trans-
mission and result in tremor. Other signs such as miosis, salivation, urination, defecation and weak-
ness may be present with OP toxicity. Ivermectin resulted in ataxia, tremor and weakness in a kitten.

INTRODUCTION nate or synchronous contraction of reciprocally inner-
vated, antagonistic muscles.
MECHANISM? True tremor ceases with sleep.

Tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic, oscillatory move- Tremor can be localized to one body area or be gener-
ment of all or part of the body. It results from the alter- alized and involve the whole body.