VNJ Articlesaortic thromboembolismbilateral hindlimb paraplegiaemergency and critical carehindlimb ataxiahypertrophic cardiomyopathysupportive care
17 February 2025
The emergency and critical care of a feline patient being treated for aortic thromboembolism A case study and nursing care analysis
Victoria Weller, BSc (Hons), RVN 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.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56496/MKBW5051
To cite this article: Weller, V. (2025) The emergency and critical care of a feline patient being treated for aortic thromboembolism A case study and nursing care analysis. VNJ 40(1) pp 51-55.
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