Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT scan signs of portal vein blood clots in two cats
By Sakamoto, Y et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2022·Department of Veterinary Medicine, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Computed tomographic features of portal vein thrombosis in two cats with splenosystemic shunts.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Two spayed female cats were brought in showing signs of confusion and lethargy due to a liver condition caused by high ammonia levels. An ultrasound suggested they had a blockage in the portal vein and abnormal blood vessels. A special CT scan confirmed the blockage and showed the abnormal vessels. One cat was treated with a blood thinner, which helped reduce the blockage over time, while the other cat's condition worsened without treatment. The treated cat's follow-up scans showed that the blockage had completely resolved.
People also search for: cat liver disease symptoms · portal vein thrombosis treatment in cats · cat anticoagulant therapy
Abstract
Two spayed female cats presented with hepatic encephalopathy due to hyperammonaemia. On abdominal ultrasound, concurrent portal vein thrombosis and splenosystemic shunts were suspected in both cats. Computed tomographic angiography clearly detected thrombi as non-contrast enhancing intraluminal structures in the main portal vein of both cats. Additionally, splenorenal shunts were revealed in both cats. Follow-up computed tomographic angiography for portal vein thrombosis was performed in both cats, only one of whom received anticoagulant therapy. In the untreated cat, portal vein thrombosis had progressed with the development of an aberrant tortuous vessel. In the cat treated with low-molecular-weight heparin, the thrombus progressively decreased in size and disappeared on follow-up diagnostic imaging. Computed tomographic angiography might be useful for the diagnosis and follow-up of portal vein thrombosis in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34984674/