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Congenital Degenerative Myopathy

Muscle spasms causing stiff and awkward movements. Often incorrectly called "spasticity".

Inheritance: autosomal recessive

Sex: both male and female kittens can be affected

Age: may be seen in young cats at 4 to 7 weeks of age but may be delayed until 12 to 14 weeks

Breeds predisposed: Devon Rex

Clinical signs: ventroflexion (dropping) of the head and neck - especially noticeable when walking, urinating or defaecating, high-stepping forelimb gait, shoulder blades held high, neck arched downwards, exercise intolerance, difficulty eating, regurgitation, muscle atrophy (wasting)

Neurological testing: normal apart from some muscle atrophy (wasting)

Blood Tests (Haematology/Serum Biochemistry): normal, including normal serum CK levels

Radiographs/Imaging: megaoesophagus, oesophageal hypomotility, sometimes gastro-oesophageal reflux

EMG: mild changes

Treatment: the condition appears to stabilize around 9 months of age, affected cats may learn to cope with eating and drinking over time (feeding from a raised platform may help)

References

Braund KG, Clinical Neurology In Small Animals - Localization, Diagnosis and Treatment, New York: IVIS, 2003

Tilley LP & Smith FWK, The Five Minute Veterinary Consult - Canine and Feline (2nd Edition), Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, 2000

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