title: Changes in electromyography and F wave responses in two cats with presumed local tetanus: implications for diagnosis and prognosis.
abstract: Two cases of focal tetanus in the cat are described. Clinical findings included severe muscular spasms of the pelvic limbs in one cat, and involvement of the thoracic limbs and muscles of the neck and face in the other. Electromyography in both cats showed spontaneous activity characterised by the presence of motor unit potentials. F waves, never previously reported in focal tetanus in animals, showed significantly increased F/M amplitude ratio in both cats and increased F wave duration in one cat. The electrodiagnostic findings provided relevant diagnostic and, possibly, prognostic information.
authors: 1Department of Veterinary Medical Science, University of Parma, Parma, Italy.
authors: Ezio
authors: E
authors: Bianchi
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Biserni
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Gallucci
authors: Luciano
authors: L
authors: Pisoni
authors: Marika
authors: M
authors: Menchetti
authors: Gualtiero
authors: G
authors: Gandini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002415:Cats; D004576:Electromyography / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D013035:Spasm / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013742:Tetanus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*