title: Presumed localized tetanus in two cats.
abstract: In this report two cases of localised tetanus in two young (<1 year) intact male and outdoor DSH cats, which had been missing, are described. Clinical examination revealed severe muscular spasms on the right (case 1) or both thoracic limbs (case 2). In the latter cat, wrinkling of the forehead and mild trismus were also seen. The routine diagnostic workup (CBC, survey radiographs of the spine, CSF analysis) did not reveal any abnormalities in both cats. EMG testing on the affected muscles in the second animal showed persistent spontaneous motor unit potentials, strongly indicating tetanus. The treatment, that was symptomatic (diazepam, metronidazole) and supportive (physical therapy, assist feeding and intravenous fluid therapy) resulted in the progressive improvement of limb rigidity and the restoration of motor dysfunction in a period of 5- (case 1) and 2- (case 2) month duration.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 11 S. Voutyra Street, 546 27, Thessaloniki, Greece.
authors.forename: Z S
authors.initials: ZS
authors.lastname: Polizopoulou
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kazakos
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Georgiadis
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Soubasis
authors.forename: Ch
authors.initials: Ch
authors.lastname: Koutinas
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Koutinas
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003975:Diazepam / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004576:Electromyography / Q000662:veterinary; D005552:Forelimb; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000662:veterinary; D013742:Tetanus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D003975:Diazepam