Metabolic neuropathies

Question 1

Examples

Answer 1

• diabetic neuropathy
• hypokalaemic neuropathy
• Cushing’s neuropathy
• inherited neuropathy

Question 2

Diabetic neuropathy
- cause
- CS
- other comments

Answer 2

• diabetic animals can develop a chronic neuropathy
• generalised weakness, i.e. dropped hocks
• implies poor diabetic control
• usually results in loss of neurones so may not respond well to correction

Question 3

Hypokalaemia neuropathy
- cause
- CS
- other comments

Answer 3

• commonly seen with chronic kidney dysfunction leading to hypokalaemia
• weak cats, i.e. head ventroflexion as they cannot lift head
• if you tx the hypokalaemia it should resolve

Question 4

Cushing’s neuropathy
- cause
- CS
- other comments

Answer 4

• an uncommon sequelae of Cushing’s dz can be the development of secondary metabolic LMN weakness
• should be accompanied by other signs of Cushing’s
• diagnosis and tx as per Cushing’s

Question 5

Inherited hypokalaemia

Answer 5

• very rare inherited condition seen in Burmese cats
• presents with intermittent weakness
• easy to diagnose if measure electrolytes during episode of weakness