What Happens If a Cat’s Spine Is Broken?

Minor spinal injury in a cat causes lower back pain, poor coordination, and unwillingness to move. A full break usually brings hind-leg paralysis, incontinence, and no response when the spine is touched. A cat’s spine rarely breaks, but a fall may cause fracture or dislocation, so take it to a vet promptly.

If the motor nerves are not clearly damaged, surgery to realign can be done quickly, followed by active rehabilitation, allowing the cat to recover to normal.