Blood Clot in cats
Discussion
Just had to leave my cat at the vets with a possible blood clot. Hes 13 years old with a heart mumur and all was fine at 7 this morning when I fed him but then 2 hours later he cannot move his rear legs. He was panting away and dragging his back legs behind him. Vets think he has a blood clot as his rear legs are cold but also he has no perception of pain on his legs either.
Anyone have any advice as to how likely he is to recover from this?
Anyone have any advice as to how likely he is to recover from this?
Edited by K77 CTR on Wednesday 8th August 12:33
It is usually secondary to a heart condition. Poor flow of blood through the left atrium leads to a clot formation which is ejected and lodges in the descending aorta, cutting off the blood supply to the back legs.
It is exceedingly painful, particularly when the blood supply and hence feeling returns to the legs, cats will often self-mutilate.
There are various options to try and break the clot down but no real consensus, preventing further clots is important.
Unfortunately, you are probably looking at upto 50% chance of euthanasia in the next 24h, your vet will have a better idea having examined him and initial response will give you more information on likely outcomes. Many cats that survive the initial one will have another within 6 months or so.
There is also the likely heart condition to consider.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, best of luck.
It is exceedingly painful, particularly when the blood supply and hence feeling returns to the legs, cats will often self-mutilate.
There are various options to try and break the clot down but no real consensus, preventing further clots is important.
Unfortunately, you are probably looking at upto 50% chance of euthanasia in the next 24h, your vet will have a better idea having examined him and initial response will give you more information on likely outcomes. Many cats that survive the initial one will have another within 6 months or so.
There is also the likely heart condition to consider.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, best of luck.
jmsgld said:
It is usually secondary to a heart condition. Poor flow of blood through the left atrium leads to a clot formation which is ejected and lodges in the descending aorta, cutting off the blood supply to the back legs.
It is exceedingly painful, particularly when the blood supply and hence feeling returns to the legs, cats will often self-mutilate.
There are various options to try and break the clot down but no real consensus, preventing further clots is important.
Unfortunately, you are probably looking at upto 50% chance of euthanasia in the next 24h, your vet will have a better idea having examined him and initial response will give you more information on likely outcomes. Many cats that survive the initial one will have another within 6 months or so.
There is also the likely heart condition to consider.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, best of luck.
Thank you for replying and must say what you've said is kind of what I've gathered from Google. It's 24 hours since it happend and he's regained feeling and warmth to his rear legs but unable to walk. The vets are keeping him until Saturday as I work 13 hour shifts and don't want him home without someone being there. It is exceedingly painful, particularly when the blood supply and hence feeling returns to the legs, cats will often self-mutilate.
There are various options to try and break the clot down but no real consensus, preventing further clots is important.
Unfortunately, you are probably looking at upto 50% chance of euthanasia in the next 24h, your vet will have a better idea having examined him and initial response will give you more information on likely outcomes. Many cats that survive the initial one will have another within 6 months or so.
There is also the likely heart condition to consider.
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, best of luck.
Saturday I'll go to the vets and see what progress has been made. If he's not improved significantly and can't walk in anyway then think it's only fair to have him pts. He's not a cat that will tolerate any disability and will not put him through it.
I'm hoping that there may be a possibility to have him home for the weekend to make sure that home comforts don't encourage him but if this seems unfair i understand I'd only be doing it for my benefit and not his.
Thanks for the advice
Our 17 year old cat had exactly this and after a few days he returned to normal as if nothing had happened. The vet said it was most likely a clot and warned us that once they get one it’s likely to happen again.
About a month later he got another one but this time in his head. He was clearly in a lot of pain with it and after three days we sadly had to have him put to sleep.
With hindsight, after the legs episode, I wish I’d asked about the possibility of putting him on anti coagulant medication like humans have. Warfarin?
Hope your little furry friend pulls through.
About a month later he got another one but this time in his head. He was clearly in a lot of pain with it and after three days we sadly had to have him put to sleep.
With hindsight, after the legs episode, I wish I’d asked about the possibility of putting him on anti coagulant medication like humans have. Warfarin?
Hope your little furry friend pulls through.
Edited by wilwak on Wednesday 8th August 22:18
Aww I am sorry to read this, I really hope he can make a recovery but sadly it is very uncommon. I have only ever seen one who was a 3 year old cat with a heart condition. He had intensive treatment as did recover fairly well but was never 100% again and succumbed to it 3 years later.
Your vets will know if he has a chance of starting a recovery in the next day or so but I suspect even if he does it will be quite intensive treatment and management.
How fast he got treatment started after first onset can sometimes make a difference but not always and for some it can be so very painful when it first happens
I will be thinking of him and hoping he can prove me wrong.
Your vets will know if he has a chance of starting a recovery in the next day or so but I suspect even if he does it will be quite intensive treatment and management.
How fast he got treatment started after first onset can sometimes make a difference but not always and for some it can be so very painful when it first happens
I will be thinking of him and hoping he can prove me wrong.
K77 CTR said:
Sadly he's just been put to sleep as looks like he had a clot go to his lungs this morning as suddenly his breathing deteriorated. I'm glad he made the decision for me but so sad i wasn't able to be there.
I am so sorry, yes that is something that can happen as well. He would have been on strong pain relief so I suspect he wouldn't have been aware of too much around him. He would have been cuddled and fussed as he drifted off.I am so very sorry for your loss
They had just weaned his painkillers as he wasn't eating. But having weaned them he ate a ton of tuna, so looks like he had his favourite meal and then events happened quickly. Hopefully he didn't suffer and I'm sure he was given lots of cuddles as he went. Been to the vets to say goodbye
I am so sorry to ready this, what a stunning cat.
My little girl currently has a blood clot between her intestines and liver, with what possibly looks like a mass under it. Vets can't operate as she has got low platelets due to the problem so in a catch 22 situation. Nothing drastic happening yet as she is still, happy and loving life but has her 'off' days. When her quality of life reduces, she will be pts. Just playing the waiting game at the minute and enjoying her whilst I can.
My little girl currently has a blood clot between her intestines and liver, with what possibly looks like a mass under it. Vets can't operate as she has got low platelets due to the problem so in a catch 22 situation. Nothing drastic happening yet as she is still, happy and loving life but has her 'off' days. When her quality of life reduces, she will be pts. Just playing the waiting game at the minute and enjoying her whilst I can.
So sorry to read that you lost your beautiful boy.
Unfortunately it’s an enevitable part of owning a pet. They bring such joy and you give them a wonderful happy life but it always ends with sadness.
Don’t let it stop you having another. We lost our first two boys at 17 and 18 years but have now adopted two wonderful 5 year old lads who had a rough first few years in life but are now happy, chilled and loving.
Unfortunately it’s an enevitable part of owning a pet. They bring such joy and you give them a wonderful happy life but it always ends with sadness.
Don’t let it stop you having another. We lost our first two boys at 17 and 18 years but have now adopted two wonderful 5 year old lads who had a rough first few years in life but are now happy, chilled and loving.
Emmapuma said:
I am so sorry to ready this, what a stunning cat.
My little girl currently has a blood clot between her intestines and liver, with what possibly looks like a mass under it. Vets can't operate as she has got low platelets due to the problem so in a catch 22 situation. Nothing drastic happening yet as she is still, happy and loving life but has her 'off' days. When her quality of life reduces, she will be pts. Just playing the waiting game at the minute and enjoying her whilst I can.
Sorry to read this.My little girl currently has a blood clot between her intestines and liver, with what possibly looks like a mass under it. Vets can't operate as she has got low platelets due to the problem so in a catch 22 situation. Nothing drastic happening yet as she is still, happy and loving life but has her 'off' days. When her quality of life reduces, she will be pts. Just playing the waiting game at the minute and enjoying her whilst I can.
Enjoy your time together
Good luck
Emmapuma said:
I am so sorry to ready this, what a stunning cat.
My little girl currently has a blood clot between her intestines and liver, with what possibly looks like a mass under it. Vets can't operate as she has got low platelets due to the problem so in a catch 22 situation. Nothing drastic happening yet as she is still, happy and loving life but has her 'off' days. When her quality of life reduces, she will be pts. Just playing the waiting game at the minute and enjoying her whilst I can.
I have only just seen your comment. I am so sorry to read this. Have they discussed a transfusion at all or referral. I assume they have. I hope she can stay stable for a while yet. My little girl currently has a blood clot between her intestines and liver, with what possibly looks like a mass under it. Vets can't operate as she has got low platelets due to the problem so in a catch 22 situation. Nothing drastic happening yet as she is still, happy and loving life but has her 'off' days. When her quality of life reduces, she will be pts. Just playing the waiting game at the minute and enjoying her whilst I can.
Gretchen said:
I’m so sorry to read this and for your loss of such a handsome boy. I’m still missing Spider cat who was PTS a few weeks ago. Keep hearing her crying when I drive in, like she’s by the door as usual waiting for dinner.
What was your boys name? x
Sorry to hear about Spider, My boy was called Monte (named after my boyfriends S2000 as it was monte carlo blue and Monte was a british blue). After my last cat died I often felt something jumping on the bed even when Monte was nowhere to be seen. I keep getting visited by the neighbours cat, before I got around to locking the catflap I came home to find a packet of wet food on the floor and 2 open packets of dreamies completely missing from the house!!What was your boys name? x
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