Thromboembolism is a severe uncommon complicating condition in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats. It can cause acute pain and various clinical signs, such as loss of function of the hind limbs (most commonly, although other organs or limbs can be affected).
Although treatment to break down or remove the clot is available, the high treatment costs of the procedure, death during administration of the drugs and high recurrence rate of thromboembolism dissuades many from therapy.
With supportive care, about 40-50% of patients with thromboembolic disease will break down clots on their own and regain limb function over time. However, despite the best medical efforts to prevent their reoccurrence, a cat that has survived a thromboembolic event has a significant risk of developing another over the following weeks to months.
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