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Case Reports
. 2002 Dec;4(4):209-12.
doi: 10.1053/jfms.2001.0184.

Presumed localized tetanus in two cats

Z S Polizopoulou  1 , G Kazakos, G Georgiadis, N Soubasis, Ch Koutinas, A F Koutinas
Affiliations
Case Reports

Presumed localized tetanus in two cats

Z S Polizopoulou et al. J Feline Med Surg. 2002 Dec.

Abstract

In this report two cases of localised tetanus in two young (<1 year) intact male and outdoor DSH cats, which had been missing, are described. Clinical examination revealed severe muscular spasms on the right (case 1) or both thoracic limbs (case 2). In the latter cat, wrinkling of the forehead and mild trismus were also seen. The routine diagnostic workup (CBC, survey radiographs of the spine, CSF analysis) did not reveal any abnormalities in both cats. EMG testing on the affected muscles in the second animal showed persistent spontaneous motor unit potentials, strongly indicating tetanus. The treatment, that was symptomatic (diazepam, metronidazole) and supportive (physical therapy, assist feeding and intravenous fluid therapy) resulted in the progressive improvement of limb rigidity and the restoration of motor dysfunction in a period of 5- (case 1) and 2- (case 2) month duration.

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Figures

Fig 1.
Fig 1.
Case 2: Localised tetanus affecting both front limbs (spastic diplegia) which are held extended caudally.
Fig 2.
Fig 2.
Case 2: (A) EMG tracing from the biceps brachii muscle of a normal cat. (B) Persistent EMG activity in the biceps brachii muscle of case 2 cat.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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