What is quality of life after cat surgery for spinal injury?

Will my cat run or be a shut in after surgery for a slipped disk? Will he need massive therapy etc.?

  • Vetinfo

    By: Kara McCarty El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    Quality of life after spinal surgery depends on the amount of damage done to his spinal cord by his slipped disc and how quickly the surgery was done. Also the farther down his spinal cord the injury was, the fewer the symptoms of damage there will be. If there was pressure on his spinal cord but not necrosis (cell death) and surgery was done quickly his chances of recovery are much better. Is your cat a young cat? They tend to heal better. Some cats can almost get back to normal. Physical therapy will always improve the outcome after surgery as it helps maintain muscle mass and flexibility. There has been some work using "cold laser" therapy on animal and people after injury and it has been promising. Discuss any questions or concerns with your cat's veterinary surgeon as he or she knows exactly what the extent of your cat's injury involved and they can refer you to a physical therapist for animals. Kara, DVM

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