Idiopathic polyradiculoneuropathy in a Bengal cat: electrophysiological findings and 1 year follow-up

Abstract

This report describes a rapidly progressive loss of motor function in a 16-month-old male neutered Bengal cat, beginning in the pelvic limbs and progressing to involve all limbs and rendering the cat non-ambulatory. The neurological examination revealed flaccid tetraparesis with decreased spinal reflexes but preserved conscious proprioception and skin sensation. Extensive electrophysiological tests were conducted including electromyography, motor and sensory peripheral nerves potential recordings and 'late' potentials, defining the electrodiagnostic characteristics of this disease. Based on the electrophysiological findings, a generalised proximal and predominantly axonal neuropathy affecting the ventral (motor) nerve roots was suspected. As no aetiology was identified, this disease was classified as idiopathic polyradiculoneuropathy. Over a year, the cat presented three separate episodes of tetraparesis, each with a spontaneous complete recovery, consistent with the reportedly good prognosis for this disease.

Electrophysiologic Confirmation of Heterogenous Motor Polyneuropathy in Young Cats

“…This study also highlights that predominantly motor polyneuropathies do occur in young cats of various breeds and not exclusively in young Bengal cats. Further, in‐depth electrodiagnostic testing was not performed in all reported Bengal cats (n = 38) except for 2 cats . Therefore, conclusive exclusion of a sensory component in those cats was not possible.…”

“…Reports of motor polyneuropathies in young cats are few, with most limited to inherited or congenital conditions in specific breeds . Among these are axonal polyneuropathy of Snowshoe cats, Birman cat distal polyneuropathy, glycogenosis type IV in Norwegian Forest cats, alpha‐mannosidosis in Persian cats, Niemann‐Pick disease type C, hyperchylomicronemia (Siamese, Persian, Himalayan, short‐ and longhair domestic cats), hyperoxaluria, hypertrophic neuropathy, and recurrent polyneuropathy in Bengal cats . Inherited or congenital neuropathies usually have an early onset of clinical manifestations within weeks to a few months of age .…”

“…Reports of sensory neuropathies are limited to dietary deficiency of tyrosine and phenylalanine . Reports of predominantly motor polyneuropathies are limited to recurrent polyneuropathy/polyradiculoneuropathy in Bengal cats, acute idiopathic polyneuropathy in domestic shorthair and Persian cats, and axonal neuropathy in Snowshoe cats . However, electrodiagnostic studies were limited and performed by different clinicians or not performed at all .…”

“…However, electrodiagnostic studies were limited and performed by different clinicians or not performed at all . Further, electrodiagnostic studies were restricted to motor nerve conduction studies, with the exception of 2 Bengal cats for which sensory nerve conduction studies were performed and were normal . Therefore, involvement of the sensory component could not be entirely excluded.…”

Small Nondomestic Felids in Veterinary Practice

“…Although the clinical signs of polyradiculoneuropathy, including tetraparesis, are severe and may be recurrent, the overall prognosis for spontaneous recovery is good. 56,57 Bengal cats also have an increased incidence of thoracic wall deformities, including pectus excavatum, thoracic wall concavity, and scoliosis, relative to domestic short hair cats. A high degree of common ancestry among affected kittens suggests a familial etiology.…”