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Review
. 2000 Dec;2(4):207-12.
doi: 10.1053/jfms.2000.0098.

Spontaneous lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in cats: literature review and case presentations

I Kathmann  1 , S Cizinauskas, U Rytz, J Lang, A Jaggy
Affiliations
Review

Spontaneous lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion in cats: literature review and case presentations

I Kathmann et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2000 Dec.

Abstract

Reports on intervertebral disc disease in cats are rare in the veterinary literature. It has been postulated that intervertebral disc protrusion is a frequent finding during necropsy in cats, without having any clinical relevance (King and Smith 1958, King & Smith 1960a, King & Smith 1960b). However, a total of six cases with disc protrusions and clinically significant neurological deficits have been reported over the past decade. (Heavner 1971, Seim & Nafe 1981, Gilmore 1983, Littlewood et al 1984, Sparkes & Skerry 1990, Bagley et al 1995). As in dogs, there are also two types of intervertebral disc disease in cats: Hansen's type I (extrusion), and type II (herniation). Cervical spinal cord involvement was more commonly recognised in cats than the lumbar or the thoraco lumbar area. Cats over 15 years were mainly affected (King & Smith 1958, King & Smith 1960a, King & Smith 1960b). We describe two cats with lumbar intervertebral disc protrusions. Emphasis is placed on differential diagnoses, treatment and follow-up.

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Figures

Fig 1a.
Fig 1a.
Lateral survey radiographs of the lumbar vertebral column showing a calcified intervertebral disc space at L5/6 and calcification within the foramen intervertebrale at the level of L6/7 (arrow).
Fig 1b.
Fig 1b.
Myelography, oblique view: stop and deviation of the contrast-line to the right; note the calcified disc at the level of L6/7 (arrow).
Fig 2a.
Fig 2a.
Lateral view: thinning and splitting of the contrast-line over L4/5 with dorsal deviation, indicating a ventral extradural compression at L4/5 (arrows).
Fig 2b.
Fig 2b.
Ventro-dorsal view: slight deviation of the right contrast column to the left at L4/5 (arrow).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Gilmore DR. (1983) Extrusion of a feline intervertebral disk. Veterinary Medicine for the Small Animal Clinician 78, 207–209.
    1. de Lahunta A. (1983) de Lahunta's Veterinary Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology, (2nd edn). Philadelphia, WB Saunders, pp 169–200.
    1. Heavner JE. (1971) Intervertebral disc syndrome in the cat. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 159, 425–427. - PubMed