Rehab outcomes in cats with severe spinal cord injury

Acute thoracolumbar injury and subsequent rehabilitation data in cats is limited. This study looked at medical records of thirty-six cats, of which twenty-nine cats (group 1) agreed to undergo an intense rehab protocol, and seven (group 2) declined physical rehab. In the rehab group 1, it was found that regained ambulation and voluntary micturition status was associated in cats with the presence of pelvic limb deep pain perception. Only forty-five percent of cats without pelvic limb deep pain perception regained voluntary ambulation, with none regaining voluntary micturition. In group 2 with no rehab, no voluntary ambulation or micturition was achieved. This study showed that with acute thoracolumbar injury in cats, physical rehab may be beneficial, and without it, possible ambulation could be achieved but it would be unlikely to regain voluntary micturition.

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