Disorder - Polyneuropathy

Organ Systems Involved
Nervous/sensory

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Niemann-Pick disease; Dysautonomia or Key-Gaskell syndrome; Lysosomal storage diseases

Presenting Signs

Polyneuropathies are disorders of the peripheral nerves. In cats, polyneuropathies have many causes. They can be congenital, inherited, inflammatory, metabolic, toxic or paraneoplastic (associated with cancer). Sometimes the underlying cause is not found. Inherited polyneuropathies include a glycogen storage disorder of Norwegian Forest cats, lysosomal storage diseases, primary hyperoxaluria, a hypertrophic polyneuropathy, neuraxonal degeneration and inherited primary hyperchylomicronaemia.

Signs are often seen from a young age and can be progressive and fatal. Depending on the specific disorder, signs include worsening tremors, weakness or paralysis of the hindlimbs or all four limbs, and loss of spinal reflexes (automatic responses such as withdrawal from pain).

Cats at Risk

Cats with diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or lysosomal storage diseases

Breeds Affected
Birman
British Shorthair
European Shorthair
Persian


Treatment

Medical

PubMed References
Polyneuropathy

Contributor
Jeffrey Chu