FIBRO-CARTILAGINOUS EMBOLISM IN A CAT

A nine-year-old cat was presented with a history of an acute onset of paraplegia. On the basis of the neurological examination, the lesion w as localised between the fourth lumbar and third sacral segments (L4 t o S3) of the spinal cord. Investigations included radiography, myelogr aphy, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, routine haematology and biochemist ry, feline leukaemia virus testing and urinalysis. A definitive diagno sis was not achieved and the cat was euthanased 12 days after presenta tion. Post mortem examination revealed infarction of the spinal cord s econdary to fibrocartilaginous embolisation. This is the first reporte d case of fibrocartilaginous embolism in the cat in the UK.