Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of muscle contractures secondary to acute spinal cord injury in a young cat

Muscle contractures, or the shortening of muscle tissue, can occur in pets, often after an injury. This can lead to pain and disability. Traditional treatments can be risky, so there's a need for safer options. Botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) is a neurotoxin that can prevent muscle contraction. It's used in human medicine to treat muscle stiffness. This report describes its successful use in a cat with muscle contractures after a spinal cord injury. A young cat with spinal cord injury developed muscle contractures. After injecting BTX-A into the affected muscles, the contractures resolved, and the cat regained mobility with the help of a splint and physiotherapy. This suggests BTX-A can be a safe and effective treatment option.

• 1
  Intramuscular BTX-A injection was effective in treating acquired muscle contractures in a cat secondary to spinal cord injury.
• 2
  The cat's carpal hyperflexion resolved 24 hours after BTX-A injection, indicating a rapid response to the treatment.
• 3
  At 6 months post-treatment, the cat was pain-free, able to ambulate with normal paw placement, and only required a splint after prolonged exercise, demonstrating a sustained improvement in quality of life.