The Weak Cat

Disorder of peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction and skeletal muscles are collectively referred as neuromuscular disorder. They most often produce so-called lower motor neuron signs with varying degree of paresis, hypotonia, hyporeflexia and muscle atrophy. Many cats will present a plantigrade stance or a crouched pelvic limb gait and cervical ventro-flexion. As other signs of neuromuscular disorder, these signs are not pathognomonic of an underlying cause but only reflect neuromuscular weakness associated with lower motor neuron involvement. Neuromuscular disorders are without a doubt underdiagnosed and often confused for spinal disorder. In this presentation, we will illustrate with videos the key signs to recognised neuromuscular disorder in cats, present a step-wise logical diagnostic approach and will discuss common conditions such as acquired myasthenia gravis, polymyositis, polyneuritis and hypokalemic myopathy.terinary hospital/clinic.