TL;DR: A plantigrade stance occurs when a cat walks on their hocks instead of their toes, usually signaling nerve damage from underlying issues like diabetes. This condition requires a veterinary exam within 24 to 48 hours to address the root cause and prevent further complications.
What is a plantigrade stance in cats and why is my cat walking on its hocks?
Normally, cats walk on their toes, which is known as a digitigrade stance. A plantigrade stance occurs when a cat walks with their hocks (the back of the lower leg, similar to a human ankle) touching the ground. This change in gait is typically a sign of peripheral neuropathy, meaning the nerves that control the hind limbs are not functioning correctly, leading to muscle weakness and a dropped posture.
Is a plantigrade stance in my cat a veterinary emergency?
- The urgency level for a plantigrade stance is Medium; while rarely an immediate life-threatening emergency, it indicates a serious underlying systemic issue.
- The most common cause is uncontrolled Feline Diabetes Mellitus, which leads to nerve damage over time.
- You should schedule an appointment with your veterinarian within the next 24 to 48 hours.
- If your cat is also lethargic, vomiting, or refusing to eat, they should be seen immediately as these can be signs of diabetic ketoacidosis.
How can a photo or video of my cat's gait help with veterinary triage?
- Capturing a clear photo of your cat standing or a short video of them walking provides vital diagnostic information for your veterinary team.
- Cats often experience an adrenaline surge at the clinic that may cause them to walk more normally than they do at home, masking their symptoms.
- A video allows the vet to observe the true nature of the gait in a relaxed environment, helping them differentiate between neurological weakness, orthopedic pain, or ligament issues.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
Plantigrade stance in cats, characterized by walking on the hocks, can result from sciatic nerve or its branch lesions (peroneal or tibial). Sciatic nerve lesions (L6-S2 nerve roots) cause inability to actively flex the stifle, hock, and digits, or extend the hock and digits; the animal may stand knuckled on the dorsum of the paw or hoof with the hock excessively flexed if the femoral nerve is spared. If only the peroneal branch is affected, the hock will be overextended and the digits knuckled, whereas if only the tibial branch is affected, the hock will be overflexed and the digits overextended. Lesions of the sciatic nerve will result in diminished or absent pelvic limb flexor and gastrocnemius reflexes, while lesions of the sciatic or peroneal nerve will result in a diminished or absent cranial tibial muscle reflex. Distribution of denervation muscle atrophy can indicate involvement of the sciatic nerve versus its branches, such as atrophy of gluteal, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and all muscles below the stifle indicating a lesion of the L6 to S2 nerve roots.
Chapter: Neurology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 1260)