Plus-Hex CLINICAL
The emergency and critical care of a feline patient being treated for aortic thromboembolism
A case study and nursing care analysis
DOI : https :// doi . org / 10.56496 / MKBW5051
Victoria Weller , BSc ( Hons ), RVN https :// orcid . org / 0000-0001-7543-0214 University of Cambridge
ENVELOPE vhw21 @ cam . ac . uk
Vicky graduated from Anglia Ruskin University and College of West Anglia in 2018 and obtained a first-class honours degree in veterinary nursing with applied animal behaviour . Since then , she has been working in a referral setting , expanding her knowledge and developing her skills . Vicky is a ward nurse rotating within a hospital , and has a keen interest in , and passion for , emergency and critical care and exotic species .
ABSTRACT Feline aortic thromboembolism is a frequently fatal disease and a common complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy .
Veterinary nurses ( VNs ) play a pivotal role in managing patients with pain and recognising clinical signs that may be associated with the condition . These may present as sudden-onset hindlimb paresis or paralysis , cold extremities , vocalisation , weak or absent femoral pulses , dyspnoea or tachypnoea , and altered demeanour due to pain .
This article will review the management of a cat with aortic thromboembolism and the approach VNs can take to the care of these patients .
Keywords aortic thromboembolism , emergency and critical care , bilateral hindlimb paraplegia , hypertrophic cardiomyopathy , supportive care , hindlimb ataxia
Introduction
Feline arterial thromboembolism ( FATE ) is a frequent complication of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and one of the most commonly acquired cardiovascular diseases in cats [ 1 ] . The condition is usually characterised by acute onset of paraparesis , cyanotic footpads , weak or absent femoral pulses , and hypothermia of the distal limbs [ 2 , 3 ] . Treatment involves medical management [ 4 ] , which is most effective when it is part of a multifactorial approach . This may involve symptomatic supportive care for nutrition , analgesia , prevention of self-trauma , recumbency care , wound management , anticoagulant therapy , and treatment for concurrent cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure [ 5 ] .
Pain management is vital but can be overlooked in cases of FATE [ 6 ] , so appropriate medications should be considered to ensure the patient is comfortable [ 7 ] . Indications of pain may include depression , lethargy , altered demeanour and inappetence , along with other clinical signs of FATE ( see box on page 52 ).
Volume 40 ( 1 ) • February 2025
51