Spinal Muscular Atrophy                 (SMA)

What is SMA?

SMA or Spinal Muscular Atrophy is inherited

disease which affects muscles

of the trunk and limbs.

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This disease causes dying of spinal neurons,

which activates the muscles of the

trunk and of the limbs.

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They found first affected kittens in

United States of America but unfortunately

too late - the disease was already spread

all around the world by export of

affected cats and/or carriers of this

genetic mutation.

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The disease in an initial period progresses rapidly,

then the progression slows

down and finally leads to immobilization.

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What are the sings of SMA?

First signs of Spinal Muscular Atrophy

       become apparent at the age of  3 to 4 months of age.

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Mostly the kittens don`t suffer any pain and

they are able to feed and play normally.

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The most frequent signs by kittens and

older affected cats are:

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"backbone walking" - swinging

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high sensitivity to touch over the back

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weakness to jump on higher areas

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clumsy landing when jumping down

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extreme intolerance

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labored breathing

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immobilization

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