Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat with leg paralysis from aortic metal object regains function
By Whigham, H M et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·1998·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Aortic foreign body resulting in ischemic neuromyopathy and development of collateral circulation in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A cat with paraplegia (unable to move its back legs) was found to have a round metallic object lodged near its spine, which was blocking blood flow in the aorta. The vet performed surgery to remove the foreign body and any blood clots. After six weeks, follow-up tests showed that blood flow had returned to normal, and the cat gradually regained the ability to walk again within a year. This case highlights how foreign objects can cause serious issues in cats, but with proper treatment, recovery is possible.
People also search for: cat paraplegia treatment · foreign body surgery cat · cat aortic thromboembolism recovery
Abstract
A cat evaluated for paraplegia had firm pelvic limb musculature and did not have femoral pulses. External wounds were not evident, but abdominal radiography revealed a round metallic foreign body on the midline ventral to the sixth lumbar vertebra. Angiography indicated stenosis or thrombosis of the aorta in association with the foreign body; collateral circulation arose from the fifth lumbar artery. Arteriotomy was performed to extract the foreign body and associated thrombi. Six weeks after surgery, angiography revealed blood flow in the abdominal portion of the aorta, but no evidence of obstruction or additional collateral vessels. The cat regained function of the pelvic limbs within 1 year after surgery. Ischemic neuromyopathy and paraplegia in cats is commonly associated with aortic thromboembolism. A thrombus is necessary to cause typical clinical signs, and vasoactive substances released by platelets in the thrombus are believed to cause ischemic neuromyopathy. Progression of the collateral circulation may allow for clinical improvement without surgical intervention.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9743722/