Schiff–Sherrington phenomenon in a cat with complete spinal cord transection from traumatic dorsocranial luxation of the second lumbar vertebra

Abstract

A young stray entire female domestic shorthair cat was presented with symmetrical forelimb extensor rigidity, neck hyperextension and hindlimb paraplegia, characteristic of Schiff–Sherrington phenomenon (SSP), within 30 min of a motor vehicle accident. Radiographic and post-mortem studies disclosed complete transection of the spinal cord from traumatic dorsocranial luxation of the second lumbar vertebra, displacement of the sacrum from the ilium, seventh lumbar and first caudal vertebrae and multiple pelvic fractures. Other causes of forelimb extensor rigidity and neck hyperextension such as decerebrate and decerebellate rigidity were excluded by a lack of neurological signs consistent with these entities and unremarkable findings on post-mortem examination of the cranial cavity and brain and histological examination of the cerebrum, brainstem and cerebellum. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first report of SSP in the cat outside the experimental arena of decerebrate or non-decerebrate preparations following post-brachial spinal cord transection/cold block.