Progressive myelomalacia with spinal cord disorders along with severe intradural hemorrhage in a cat

Progressive myelomalacia (PMM) is a severe neurological disorder. Although several case reports have been published, PMM is uncommon in cats. A 9-year-old neutered male domestic short-haired cat presented with hindlimb paraplegia. Based on the neurological examination, severe abnormalities in the L4-S3 segment were suspected. Based on magnetic resonance imaging findings, intervertebral disk herniation (IVDH) was suspected at the L5-L6 intervertebral disk. A hemilaminectomy and durotomy were performed. Four days after surgery, PMM was suspected, and the cat was euthanized. An autopsy was performed, and a histopathological examination confirmed PMM secondary to severe spinal disorders.