Polyneuropathy in Bengal cats
The Bengal cat is a relatively new breed that resulted after crossing the Asian leopard cat and the domestic cat.
It is a mischievous, very energetic, and intelligent breed that is not considered more prone to disease than other cat breeds. However, Bengal cats can suffer from many genetic (hereditary) conditions.
What is feline polyneuropathy?
Feline polyneuropathy is a complex group of medical conditions that are poorly understood and studied, with only a few cases reported in the veterinary literature.
The term "polyneuropathy" is generally used to characterize autonomic, sensory, or mixed motor neuropathies and neuronal diseases.
This medical condition usually involves a dysfunction of the motor nerves, being also known as lower motor neuron disease.
Polyneuropathy can be inherited (hereditary) or acquired over a lifetime.[1]
Acquired polyneuropathy can be represented by:
- Diabetic polyneuropathy
- Ischemic neuromyopathy
- Trauma
- Radial and sciatic nerve mononeuropathy
- Cancer
- Toxic neuropathies
- Inflammatory polyneuropathy (chronic recurrent polyradiculoneuritis)
- Acute polyneuropathy
- Chronic recurrent idiopathic polyneuropathy
- Acute brachial plexus neuropathy (suspected to be triggered by a previous vaccination)
In the case of polyneuropathy in Bengal cats, a genetic predisposition is also suspected. The immune-mediated inflammatory response against specific peripheral nerve antigens (unidentified) can be triggered by unknown environmental factors. Inherited polyneuropathy can be represented by:
- Hypertrophic polyneuropathy
- Sphingomyelinase-deficient polyneuropathy
- Neuropathy associated with hyperchylomicronemia (hyperlipoproteinemia)
- Hyperoxaluric peripheral neuropathy
Inherited polyneuropathy refers to more generalized diseases of the central nervous system with concomitant pathological changes in the peripheral nerves.[2]
What are the symptoms of polyneuropathy in Bengal cats?
In Bengal cats, the average age of onset of polyneuropathy is about 10 months, with males being more prone.
Clinical signs may last ± 3 months and include:
- Pelvic and/or thoracic limb weakness - it often occurs in the hind legs and is bilateral.
- Tetraparesis or paraparesis.
- Exercise intolerance - some cats may experience weakness that worsens after exercise.
- Decreased jumping ability.
- Stiff or stilted gait.
- Walking on the sole of the foot (plantigrade stance).
- Muscle atrophy.
- Weight loss or stunted growth.
Most symptoms start slowly, but some may occur suddenly.
Polyneuropathy diagnosis
Your veterinarian will diagnose your cat's condition by differential diagnosis. The differential diagnosis will rule out other medical conditions that could cause the development of polyneuropathy and onset of these symptoms.
Basic exams include:
- Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile, and urinalysis for cancer or metabolic disorders.
- Tests for infectious diseases, such as FIV, feline coronavirus, and others.
- Serum antinuclear antibody titer (ANA) for immune diseases.
- X-rays, abdominal ultrasonography, and MRI.
- Electrophysiology (electromyography/EMG, motor and sensory nerve conduction, and action potential amplitudes) to differentiate myositis from polyneuropathy (for muscle weakness).
- Muscle biopsy to confirm denervation or loss of nerve function.
- Nerve biopsy.
It will also matter when was the last time you vaccinated your cat. It seems that polyneuropathy can also occur after vaccination. Sometimes this disease can occur up to 2 months after vaccinating your pet.
Polyneuropathy treatment
The main treatment consists of the administration of glucocorticoids daily, for a certain period determined by your veterinarian.
For Bengal cat owners who do not want glucocorticoid treatment, supplements (such as vitamin B12) and light exercise can be done with their cats at home to improve joint and muscle activity.
These exercises are called Passive Range of Motion.[3]
If your cat shows signs of pain, such as vocalization, shortness of breath, scratching, biting, etc. reduce the intensity.
Place your cat on its side and gently stretch the affected limb until you feel resistance from the tissues.
Arm Extension Range of Motion - Moving the arm forward/2-3 times a day
- Place the palm of your hand on top of your cat’s entire shoulder blade.
- Push above your cat’s elbow on the back of its arm.
- Hold 5 seconds and repeat 5-10 times.
Elbow Extension Stretch – Moving the elbow into a straight position/2-3 times a day
- Brace above your cat’s elbow, behind its arm.
- Push in front of your cat’s arm, below its elbow – your cat’s shoulder need to reach forward.
- Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 3-5 times.
Arm Flexion Range of Motion – Moving the arm in a bent position/2-3 times a day
- Place the palm of your hand on top of your cat’s entire shoulder blade.
- Push on the back of your cat’s paw.
- Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 5-10 times.
Finger Flexors Stretch – Moving the fingers upwards/2-3 times per day
- Brace your cat’s wrist straight.
- Place the pads of your cat’s paw on your palm and push up.
- Hold 30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times.
Leg Flexion Range of Motion – Moving the leg into a bent position/2-3 times per day
- Place your hand above your cat’s pelvis (above the base of the tail).
- Push on the back of your cat’s paw.
- Hold for 5 seconds and repeat 5-10 per day.
Toe Flexors Stretch – Moving the toes upwards/2-3 times per day
- Brace your cat’s ankle straight.
- Place the pads of your cat’s paw on your palm and push up.
- Hold for 30 seconds and repeat 2-3 times.
Leg Extension Range of Motion – Moving the leg back/2-3 times per day
- Place your hand above your cat’s pelvis (above the base of the tail).
- Push on the front of your cat’s thigh above its knee.
- Hold 5 second and repeat 5-10 times.
Polyneuropathy prognostic
The disease is not directly fatal but it can greatly affect the quality of life of your cat. Supportive therapy can often be needed throughout your pet's life.
Remission and recurrence periods occur constantly in such cases, but complete remission is also possible.
Young cats identified with polyneuropathy have a good prognosis of functional recovery.
In patients where a degenerative disease is suspected, euthanasia may be recommended. In such cases, the patient's disease will progress.
When you should call the vet
Take your cat to the vet as soon as the symptoms occur. Feline polyneuropathy can have several causes, and the sooner the cause is identified, the sooner treatment can begin.
Many Bengal cat owners have seen improvements in their pet's health after starting glucocorticoid treatment, and other cats have recovered without any treatment.
Only with your veterinarian, you will find the best treatment for your cat.