Feline aortic thromboembolism

If a cat comes in unable to walk, consider the three Ps:

• pain
• paralysis
• pulselessness

Feline aortic thromboembolism (FATE) should be on top of your differentials.

Figure 1 demonstrates the colour change in the paws of an affected cat outlining blood flow: the pink pad is the unaffected cat’s front paw, while the pale pad is on the affected hind limb that will be cold to the touch.

Cardiological problems

Often FATE is a secondary condition in cats with heart disease.

The heart forms clots in the distal aorta that occlude flow to the femoral arteries. With the femoral arteries being the main arteries providing blood flow to the hind limbs, symptoms become apparent.

Symptoms can include:

• sudden hind limb paralysis
• cold hind limbs
• vocalising
• pain