<div>Background: Thoraco-lumbar spinal trauma frequently results in neurological dysfunction of varying degrees in domestic cats. The consequences may be permanent disability or death depending on severity and segment of spinal cord affected. Assessment of primary damage to spinal cord is important to prevent secondary damage and complications arising from neurological deficit. Since assessment of neurological dysfunction and its treatment in spinal trauma in cats is an evolving field, the present study was undertaken with an objective to record and associate epidemiological data and clinical examination findings at the time of presentation with clinical outcome on 60th post-treatment day in cats with thoracolumbar vertebral fracture and luxation, for a better clinical approach in this condition.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: 24 affected cats were assessed epidemiologically and clinically at the time of presentation. All the cats were treated either conservatively or surgically based on extent of neurological dysfunction and severity of injury on radiographic evaluation. Post-treatment observations was then correlated with epidemiological data and clinical findings to assess the clinical outcome. &nbsp; 
 
Result: In the present study, sub-adult semi-domicile cats were most affected and major cause was automobile accident. Presence of concomitant injuries (30%) affected recovery. Thoracolumbar spinal cord segment (T3-L3) was most affected (71%). Among 16 cats with unstable vertebral fractures, 5/6 cats recovered after surgical treatment and 2/10 cats recovered after conservative treatment. Survival and recovery was poor when degree vertebral canal displacement was more than 70% (10 cats). All 7 cats with grade 1 or grade 2 and one cat with grade 3 neurological dysfunction recovered after conservative treatment. 5 cats with grade 3 and 2 cats with grade 4 neurological dysfunction recovered after surgical treatment. Selection of surgical treatment provided better recovery in cats with unstable vertebral fractures and greater degree of neurological dysfunction.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Epidemiological and Clinical Studies in Cats with Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fracture and Luxation and Its Management</div>

Background: A 6-year-old, male neutered, domestic short hair cat presented to the hospital with shifting leg lameness and gait abnormalities. There was a weak response to deep pain in the physical examination and no reaction to the sensory response test. The cat had a strong pain response during thoracolumbar palpation. It was confirmed that the substance was compressing the spinal cord at the thirteenth thoracic vertebrae and the first lumbar vertebrae and hyperintense changes were observed in the surrounding soft tissue. 
 
Methods: Six months later, the patient presented to the hospital again due to severe lameness and back pain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that more than 70% of the substances that were compressing the spinal were the contents of an epidural abscess. The patient underwent decompression with hemilaminectomy and routine suturing. 
 
Result: Nine days after surgery, there were no abnormalities in urination, defecation, or movement. This is a rare case of epidural empyema in a cat. The clinical symptoms, diagnosis and surgical intervention were described six months after the cat was diagnosed as having a spinal abscess.

Epidemiological and Clinical Studies in Cats with Thoracolumbar Vertebral Fracture and Luxation and Its Management

Spinal Epidural Empyema in a Male Cat