Myoclonus in Cats
Myoclonus is a condition in which a portion of a muscle, entire muscle, or group of muscles contracts in a coarse, repetitive, involuntary, and rhythmic manner at rates up to 60 times per minute (sometimes even occurring during sleep). These abnormal contractions occur due to nervous dysfunction and most commonly affect groups of muscles involved in chewing and/or any of the skeletal muscles of the limbs.
Myoclonus is rarely seen in cats and is more common in dogs.
Symptoms and Types
Involuntary, continuous, coarse, and rhythmic contractions of a muscle, portion of a muscle, or group of muscles is the most common sign to look out for. However, there are other symptoms your cat displays that are related to the underlying disease causing myoclonus.
- Due to infections
- Drug-induced (e.g., chlorambucil)
You will need to give a thorough history of your cat’s health, including any illnesses it may have recently suffered from and symptoms it has displayed. The veterinarian will then conduct a complete physical examination as well as a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, and urinalysis -- the results of which may show abnormalities related to underlying cause, including inflammation of brain and spinal cord (encephalomyelitis). He or she may also take a sample of your cat's cerebrospinal fluid (a protective and nourishing fluid circulate around brain and spinal cord) or administer an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) on the animal.
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
The disappearance of the signs and symptoms of a particular disease; this is often used in association with cancer
The contraction of the muscles in the skeleton
A medical condition in which the brain and spine are inflamed