Feline Distal Aortic Thromboembolism: A Review of 44 Cases (1990–1998)

The clinical case records of 44 cats with distal aortic thromboembolism were reviewed. These detailed 49 separate episodes of thromboembolism. Of the 44 cats, 33 (75%) were neutered males, and 43 (98%) were domestic shorthairs. The mean age was 8.7 years (age range 2-16 years). Evidence of pre-existing heart disease had been noted in 23% of cases. Heart failure was a concurrent diagnosis in 51% of episodes and 36% of these cases survived their thromboembolic episodes. Overall, cats survived 39% of the episodes. Cats died during 28% of the episodes, while 33% of the episodes resulted in the cats being euthanased. The median survival time was 6 months. Seventeen per cent of cats on prophylactic aspirin therapy experienced an episode of re-embolisation. Forty-three per cent of episodes occurred in the spring.