Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with aortic blockage caused by airgun pellet embolism
By Kettner, F & Kirberger, R M·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2006·Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Aortic foreign body (airgun pellet) embolism in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old female domestic shorthair cat was brought in because she showed signs of severe pain and difficulty moving, which are common symptoms of aortic saddle thromboembolism (a blockage in the aorta). After tests, including an echocardiogram and X-rays, the vet found two pellet-like objects in her body. Unfortunately, a necropsy (animal autopsy) later revealed that one of these pellets had caused a serious wound in her heart, leading to the blockage in her aorta. Sadly, the cat did not survive due to the severity of her injuries.
People also search for: cat aortic embolism symptoms · cat heart injury treatment · why is my cat in pain
Abstract
A five-year-old female domestic shorthair cat presented with clinical signs typical of an aortic saddle thromboembolism. An echocardiogram and thoracic radiographs excluded cardiac disease as a source of the thrombus. Two heavy metal opacity, pellet-like objects were seen in the thoracic and abdominal radiographs. Abdominal ultrasound demonstrated occlusion of aortic blood flow by the abdominal pellet but could not indicate whether this was due to a penetrating aortic wound or pellet embolisation. A necropsy confirmed a penetrating left ventricular cardiac wound with subsequent embolisation of the pellet to the abdominal aorta.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16573767/