Disorder - Sacral dysgenesis

Organ Systems Involved
Musculoskeletal

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Sacro-coccygeal agenesis; Spina bifida; Spina bifida occulta; Spina bifida with raduschisis; Tail, stump; Taillessness

Presenting Signs

Sacral dysgenesis is an inherited condition in which the area of the spine located between the hips, just before the tail, does not form properly. This can affect the spinal cord in the region and can lead to exposure of the spinal cord, nervous system signs and tail deformities.

Cats with sacral dysgenesis often have deformities present at birth. The cats may have no tails (rumpy), short up-right tails (rumpy-riser) or short kinked tails (stumpy). Depending on how badly the spinal cord is malformed, cats can also have weakness in their hindlimbs (paraparesis) or be completely unable to use them (paraplegia). Faecal and urinary incontinence is also a common problem and affected cats may ‘bunny hop’, moving both hind legs together, instead of walking normally. It may be possible to feel the abnormality through the skin, and in some severe cases there may be an open wound between the skin and spinal cord (meningocele).

Cats at Risk

There are no sex or age associated risk factors however most cats will be young as the deformity is usually present from birth.

Breeds Affected
Manx


Treatment

Surgical and Medical. Cats with urinary and faecal incontinence can be managed by physically making them urinate and giving medication to soften their faeces. However, these cats often develop urinary tract infections, megacolon (a dilated large colon) and chronic constipation. Cats with an open wound between the skin and spinal cord may be able to be repaired surgically. For severely affected cats there is often no treatment.

PubMed References
Sacral dysgenesis

Contributor
Josie Gollan