Most cats with a spinal fracture or luxation recover locomotion within 8 weeks of surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the surgical management of feline vertebral fractures and luxations, with emphasis on neurological recovery.

METHODS

Cats that underwent surgical management of vertebral fractures and luxations, without prior neurological disease, were retrospectively enrolled in this observational study from March 1, 2012, to December 31, 2024. Collected data included signalment, vertebral injury characterization, surgical technique, postoperative reduction, modified Frankel score, and urinary incontinence progression, outcome, and complications from clinical/radiographic follow-up and telephone survey. Descriptive statistics were used to describe outcomes.

RESULTS

30 cats met the inclusion criteria. Injury locations were lumbar (n = 16), thoracic (9), lumbosacral (4), and cervical (1). Preoperative modified Frankel scores were grade 3 (n = 12), grade 4 (8), grade 2 (4), grade 5 (2), and grade 1 (1). Surgical stabilization techniques primarily involved polymethylmethacrylate with screws (n = 18) or pins (9). At 8 weeks postoperatively, 28 cats were ambulatory. In the long term, 23 cats fully recovered. Grade 5 cats did not show neurological improvement. Among the 28 long-term ambulatory cats, 6 had persistent proprioceptive ataxia and all of these had T3-L3 neuroanatomical lesions. Urinary incontinence persisted in 4 cats. Owner assessment of long-term neurological recovery was good or excellent in 27 of 29 cats.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical management was associated with favorable neurological recovery, even when surgery was delayed or postoperative reduction was incomplete.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: In cats with vertebral fractures or luxations, surgical management should be considered an effective option when spinal instability or cord compression is present, providing that nociception is preserved.