Disorder - Sacro-coccygeal agenesis

Organ Systems Involved
Musculoskeletal

Alternative disorders described within LIDA

Coccygeal dysgenesis; Sacral dysgenesis; Spina bifida; Manx syndrome

Alternative Names
Coccygeal agenesis

Presenting Signs

Sacro-coccygeal agenesis is an inherited defect, present at birth, in which the rudimentary vertebral bones at the end of the spine (pelvis and tail) may be absent. Affected cats may be born without any of these vertebrae (coccygeal vertebrae) and are tailless. In the Manx breed this is known as a 'rumpie'. Other cats may also have vertebral bone abnormalities further up the spine in the pelvic region; these are in the form of rudimentary or malformed sacral vertebrae.

Problems associated with this condition are similar to those of spina bifida in humans. Parts of the spinal cord or indeed the entire spinal cord in the pelvic region may only be protected by surface fat and skin. This makes affected cats prone to spinal cord damage from trauma or even such harmless things as handling. Consequently affected cats may commonly present with signs of hindlimb paralysis and/or urinary and faecal incontinence. This occurs because of damage of the spinal cord in the lower back region that supplies nerves to these parts.

Cats at Risk

Cats with agenesis of all sacro-coccygeal vertebrae are more susceptible to spinal cord damage than those with partial sacro-coccygeal agenesis.

Breeds Affected
Manx


Treatment

Severely affected cats are unlikely to respond to treatment. However incontinent cats can be managed via manual bladder expression and use of faecal softening agents.

PubMed References
Sacro-coccygeal agenesis

Contributor
James Brown