Use of adjunctive prednisolone in the management of a cat with bilateral quadriceps contracture following trauma

• Main Authors: Penelope LC Tisdall, Cameron P Rogowski
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2017-03-01
• Series: Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery Open Reports
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2055116917695876

Case summary A 6-month-old cat was successfully treated for bilateral quadriceps contracture. Conventional treatments including surgery, dynamic flexion apparatus and physical therapy along with analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs resulted in temporary clinical improvement that was relapsing. The initiation of supplementary corticosteroid treatment with prednisolone coincided with an immediate and sustained clinical improvement and long-term resolution. Relevance and novel information Successful treatment of bilateral quadriceps contracture has not previously been reported in a cat. Quadriceps contracture remains a challenging condition to treat with some cases unresponsive to therapy. Systemic prednisolone treatment appeared to be of benefit in the management of this case and may have a role in some cats where muscle contracture appears relapsing in nature. Further prospective investigations in cats with muscle contracture, including muscle biopsies of affected cats, are warranted.