Rehabilitation of a Paraplegic Kitten with Acute Depression

Abstract

A 3-month-old stray kitten was admitted to the Bombay SPCA Hospital in a paraplegic state due to fractures of the T-11 and T-12 vertebrae. The patient exhibited faecal incontinence and urine retention along with loss of motor control and sensation in the lower half of her body. A recurring abscess exerting pressure on the area of spinal trauma further complicated the injury. Clinical therapy resulted in the reversal of paraplegia. However, the patient experienced acute depression following the traumatic injury which resulted in lethargic behaviour. The lack of adequate exercise caused a delay in the satisfactory recovery of the patient’s motor skills. The mitigation of physical complaints was only made possible by the use of physiotherapy coupled with psychological support.