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Cat 1 found. Muscle atrophy of both hind limbsAsix-year-old, castrated, male, orientalshorthaired cat was referred by a localveterinarian to the Clinic of Small Ani-mals in Bern because of an abnormal hindleg gait and a flaccid tail. The clinical signs presented acutely over the 5 days prior to presentation. Meanwhile, the cat was treated with dexametha-sone (Dexa-Tad; Tad) at a single dose of 2.5 mg/ kg bodyweight (BW) iv, but no improvement of neurological signs was observed. The general physical examination revealed no abnormalities. On neurological examination a plantigrade stance of the left hind limb, as well as a paresis of the tail were observed. Gait abnormalities included paraparesis, more pro-nounced on the left, and ataxia of both hind legs. All postural reactions, such as correction of knuckling of the paw and the extensor postural thrust reaction, were decreased in both hind limbs. The patellar reflex was increased on the left side and normal on the right. The tibialis was recognised. The presumptive anatomical localisation was either a lesion in the caudal lumbar intumescence (L6–S1) or the cauda equina. Differential diagnoses for the former localisation included a space-occupying lesion such as neoplasia or a protruded disc, as well as fracture, luxation, fibrocartilaginous embolism and infectious/inflammatory diseases. The blood cell count and serum biochemistry profile analysis revealed no abnormalities, and FeLV and FIV tests were negative. Thoracic plain radiographs were normal. An-aesthesia was induced with diazepam (Valium 10; Roche) at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg BW, iv and propofol (Disoprivan; ICI Pharm) at a dose of 5 mg/kg BW, iv and maintained with isoflurane (1–1.2%; Forene; Abott). Radiographs of the lum-bosacral area showed a narrowed intervertebral disc space at the level of L6/L7. At the same location, calcification of the foramen inter-vertebrale was seen (Fig 1a). The subchondral boneplate of the caudal end of the vertebral bodyCASE REPORT Spontaneous lumbar interv cats: literature review and