The literature is lacking data concerning the prognosis in cats suffering from naturally occurring acute onset of thoracolumbar (TL) spinal cord injury that are undergoing rehabilitation therapy. Therefore, we investigated the effect of physical rehabilitation in cats suffering from naturally occurring TL spinal cord injury. The medical records of 36 cats with acute onset of TL spinal cord injury that were selected for rehabilitation treatment were reviewed. Twenty-nine cats underwent an intensive physical rehabilitation protocol in the clinic (group 1), whereas the owners of seven cats declined physical rehabilitation (group 2). In group 1, seven cats had pelvic limb deep pain perception (DPP), which was significantly associated with the functional recovery of voluntary ambulatory status (p = 0.010) and voluntary micturition (p < 0.001). Spinal walking was achieved in 10/22 (45%) of the cats without DPP, and none regained voluntary micturition. In group 2, no cats regained ambulatory status or voluntary micturition, although pelvic limb DPP was present in three patients. Treatment with a clinic-based rehabilitation program and the presence of a crossed extensor reflex were significantly associated with a higher possibility of regaining functional ambulatory status (p < 0.010), but there was no difference in the recovery of voluntary micturition between the groups. Thus, cats with severe, naturally occurring, acute onset of TL spinal cord injury may benefit from physical rehabilitation. In the case of the loss of DPP, the acquisition of spinal walking is possible, despite the high possibility of a persistent neurologically dysfunctional bladder.

Background: literature is lacking data concerning the prognosis in cat suffering from acute thoracolumbar spinal cord lesions on field condition either with or without physiotherapy treatment. We investigated the role of intensive physical rehabilitation training in cats suffering from acute thoracolumbar (TL) spinal cord injury and compared their outcome to the presence/absence of pelvic limb pain perception (PP) under field conditions. A further aim was the evaluation of the outcome of cats under intensive physiotherapy when compared to a control group.Methods: Retrospective study. The medical records of 29 feline patients with acute TL spinal cord injury, with and without PP, selected for intensive rehabilitation treatment were reviewed. Those cats that satisfied the same criteria, but performed at home physiotherapy exercises with the owner, were enrolled as control group.Results: 7 cats had pelvic limb PP, which resulted significantly associated with functional recovery of voluntary locomotion (p=0.01) and voluntary micturition (p= 0.00006). Twenty-two cats (76%) had the absence of pelvic limb PP and the acquisition of spinal walking (SW) was achieved in ten cats (45%). None of these patients regained a voluntary micturition at the end of the treatment. The presence of the crossed extensor reflex on admission was significantly associated with the acquisition of SW (p= 0.008). At 15 days, improvement in assisted walking/UWTM was found to be significantly associated with higher possibility to achieve SW at the end of the treatment (p=0.04). The control group included seven cats. None of the cats had regained voluntary micturition or ambulatory condition. Comparing to the control group, the intensive rehabilitation program was significantly associated with a higher possibility to regain functional locomotion (p= 0.005). Recovery of voluntary micturition did not show significant differences among the control group and the cats that underwent physical therapy.Conclusions: cats with severe acute TL lesion recovery can benefit from physiotherapy and, also in case of loss of PP, the acquisition of SW is possible under field condition.

Background: literature is lacking data concerning the prognosis in cat suffering from acute thoracolumbar spinal cord lesions on field condition either with or without physiotherapy treatment. We investigated the role of intensive physical rehabilitation training in cats suffering from acute thoracolumbar (TL) spinal cord injury and compared their outcome to the presence/absence of pelvic limb pain perception (PP) under field conditions. A further aim was the evaluation of the outcome of cats under intensive physiotherapy when compared to a control group.Methods: Retrospective study. The medical records of 29 feline patients with acute TL spinal cord injury, with and without PP, selected for intensive rehabilitation treatment were reviewed. Those cats that satisfied the same criteria, but performed at home physiotherapy exercises with the owner, were enrolled as control group.Results: 7 cats had pelvic limb PP, which resulted significantly associated with functional recovery of voluntary locomotion (p=0.01) and voluntary micturition (p= 0.00006). Twenty-two cats (76%) had the absence of pelvic limb PP and the acquisition of spinal walking (SW) was achieved in ten cats (45%). None of these patients regained a voluntary micturition at the end of the treatment. The presence of the crossed extensor reflex on admission was significantly associated with the acquisition of SW (p= 0.008). At 15 days, improvement in assisted walking/UWTM was found to be significantly associated with higher possibility to achieve SW at the end of the treatment (p=0.04). The control group included seven cats. None of the cats had regained voluntary micturition or ambulatory condition. Comparing to the control group, the intensive rehabilitation program was significantly associated with a higher possibility to regain functional locomotion (p= 0.005). Recovery of voluntary micturition did not show significant differences among the control group and the cats that underwent physical therapy.Conclusions: cats with severe acute TL lesion recovery can benefit from physiotherapy and, also in case of loss of PP, the acquisition of SW is possible under field condition.