L5 luxation in a 10mo. old kitten

[rmac]

Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting on here, so please excuse me if I do something incorrectly.

I did an initial evaluation on an almost 11mo. M/N indoor/outdoor kitten with an L5 luxation from a suspected trauma (incident unknown) that occurred 4 weeks ago (rads attached). The patient was initially paralyzed in the hind limbs. rDVM recommended surgical/neuro consult, but O's declined and started seeing my colleague for acu.
He has made rapid improvements and is now ambulating normally with no neurological deficits on PE. Today, I saw him for a rehab consult that was initially booked when the injury first happened, but since this patient is doing so well with conservative management, I am reluctant to do much. I was thinking maybe some home exercises for core and hind limb strengthening.

I am wondering if anyone has rehabbed a case like this or if there are any suggestions - what to do, what not to do? I did some gentle manual therapy from the TL junction, cranially, to help with some compensatory hypomobility in the spine, but I didn't want to do anything at the luxation site. Would it be safe to do manual therapy there in the future, or should I always avoid it?

Advice and suggestions welcome.

Thanks,
Raceeta MacKenzie

[lehughes]

Hey Raceeta!!!

Welcome to the forum!!!

So, I have seen a similar case a number of years ago. To cut to the final answer, yes, I would mobilize L5. Stick with grade 2 to begin with and work up to grade 3.

Go slow, do a little mobilizations and see how the cat walks / moves afterwards. If you are slow and respectful of discomfort and response to treatment, you will be okay. There are no fractures. There may be some overstretched ligaments, but that's why you are starting with grade 2s.

I'd also prescribe tail pull traction, and of course any modalities directly to the site.

Thanks for posting! And keep US posted!

Cheers,

Laurie