Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat died from blood clots and fainting while straining to poop
By Whitley, N T & Stepien, R L·Published in Australian veterinary journal·2001·Department of Medical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Defaecation syncope and pulmonary thromboembolism in a cat.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 7-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was brought in because he was having serious gastrointestinal issues and was getting worse despite treatment. Sadly, he developed breathing problems and died suddenly while trying to poop. A necropsy revealed he had blood clots in his lungs, cancer in his pancreas, and heart disease. This case highlights a rare situation where straining to defecate can lead to serious complications in cats.
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Abstract
A 7-year-old male neutered domestic shorthair cat was referred for worsening gastrointestinal and haematologic abnormalities. Physical status deteriorated further despite intravenous crystalloids, blood transfusion and nutritional support. Cardiorespiratory signs developed and the cat died suddenly while straining to defaecate. Diffuse thrombosis, pulmonary thromboembolism, metastatic pancreatic carcinoma and histologic evidence of cardiomyopathy were present at necropsy. This is the first reported case of feline pulmonary thromboembolism associated with defaecation syncope. Predisposing factors for thrombotic disease in this case and aspects of human defaecation syncope are discussed. The risk of clot dislodgement by the Valsalva manoeuvre in patients with a thrombotic tendency is highlighted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11491217/