Partial arterial thromboembolism in a domestic short hair cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Abstract

This case report describes an 8-year-old male neutered domestic short haired cat that presented for acute hind limb paresis. History and clinical findings were suggestive of partial arterial thromboembolism in the right hind limb. The patient’s echocardiogram was consistent with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with visible thrombus formation in the left atrium. Arterial thromboembolism is a devastating complication of feline cardiac disease and commonly contributes to either spontaneous death or euthanasia in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Unilateral hind limb thromboembolism is a much less common presentation than the classic saddle thrombus, which affects both pelvic limbs. Regardless of the limb affected, medical management of patients with arterial thromboembolism remains a challenge and long term prognosis is poor.