What happens to a cat with arterial thromboembolism?

Most cats act normal and then suddenly yowl in pain and become paralyzed in the rear legs. Once blood flow is cut off to the hind legs, there is limited time before tissue dies, leading to a new round of problems. Arterial thromboembolism affects cats of any age.

Can a cat survive a blood clot in the heart?

Many cats will survive the event, but it can be expensive to treat. If a cat is in extreme pain and the rear limbs are cold and believed to have tissue damage, some vets and pet owners decide to ease the cat’s suffering immediately. With ATE, blood pools in a heart chamber causing a blood clot to form.

What to do if your cat has a blood clot in his leg?

As blood flow returns, physical therapy (passive extension and flexion of the legs) may speed full recovery. Affected cats may need assistance with urinating and defecating. It is best to restrict activity as treatment starts, and the main goal is to keep the cat stress free. is to keep the cat stress free.”

What’s the prognosis for a cat with ate?

Prognosis for a Cat with Arterial Thromboembolism. Cats that survive the first ATE episode are at high risk for another episode. According to a study done by the University of Minnesota, cats tend to have a 50 percent chance for survival providing the cat’s temperature does not dip below 98.9 degrees before reaching the veterinary office.

Where does arterial thromboembolism occur in a cat?

Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) is a condition associated with high morbidity and mortality in cats, most commonly with an acute and distressing presentation. For clinical purposes, it is often defined as thromboembolism to ≥1 limb. In most cases, the thrombus originates in the left side of the heart.

What to do if your cat has aortic thromboembolism?

Affected cats may need assistance with urinating and defecating. It is best to restrict activity as treatment starts, and the main goal is to keep the cat stress free. Because stressed cats tend to not eat, it is important to encourage food intake in any way possible.

What does it mean when a cat has a saddle thrombus?

She then launches into what seems a way-too-calm explanation of your cat’s problem: She’s almost certainly suffering from a “saddle thrombus,” she begins. A thrombus is a clot that forms in the bloodstream––in this case usually in the heart.

What happens if a cat has a blood clot in his leg?

The cat’s legs will be evaluated to assess the clinical response to therapy. There is a high rate of recurrence of blood clot formation. There may be permanent nervous system damage, or the hind leg muscles may be adversely affected.