A 2-year-old domestic short-haired cat has a large bladder that is easily expressed and a limp tail. What condition does this most suggest?

The presentation of a large bladder that is easily expressed, along with a limp tail in the cat, is indicative of a disruption in the normal function of the nerve supply to the bladder and tail. This combination of symptoms suggests that there may be damage to the sacral nerves, which are responsible for innervating the bladder and the tail.

In particular, traumatic damage to the sacral nerve can lead to the loss of normal bladder control, resulting in urinary retention or overflow, which corresponds with the expressed large bladder. The limp tail further supports this interpretation, as the sacral nerves also provide motor function to the muscles that control tail movement. When these nerves are compromised, the tail may become flaccid or lose its function.

This scenario contrasts with the other options. Cauda equina syndrome involves compression of the nerve roots that can affect a broader range of pelvic and tail function, so it wouldn't typically present with just the limp tail and easily expressed bladder. Fibrocartilaginous embolism generally presents with acute neurological deficits, but it does not specifically lead to the urinary incontinence or bladder distention seen here. Lumbosacral instability could present similarly, but it usually leads to more severe lumbosacral pain, which