Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right back
leg. We rushed her to the emergency 24 hour animal hospital. We were told
that "the good news is" it is not a stroke. The vet (soooo nice) said it
looks like she has thrown a blood clot. The vet said that if the clot
affected both legs, it would be very serious because it would mean that it's
probably not irreversible. But since only one leg is affected, there is a
possibility that the clot can be "broken down" with medication (she
mentioned a form of baby aspirin). Sade' seemed to be in a lot of pain, so
the vet recommended that she spend the night in the hospital to get pain
meds and medication to work on the clot. The prognosis is about 50/50. We
pick Sade' up tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. We're then rushing her to our
vet right down the street.
I am prepared for the very worse. I mean, she IS 15. You know what's
weird? I said to my husband last night that I felt that Sade' wasn't going
to around for much longer. I said that I see it in her eyes. Plus, my
little old lady is starting to look a little scruffy... and she's very bony
in here shoulders and on down her back. My husband reminded me of my good
friend, Simba. Her cat, Mimi, is a Ragdoll and she's 22 years old!!
Also, Sade' has started sleeping in my bathroom upstairs. Even when we're
home, I find her asleep on the rug, alone and in the dark. I want complete
honesty from anyone who replies. Does Sade' "know" that her time is coming?
And who has had similar problems with blood clots in cats?? ANY information
will be helpful. Even if it's not comforting... I just want to hear what
anyone in here might know.
Thank you so much,
Laurie-Lou
Karen Chuplis - 19 Apr 2004 05:55 GMT
> Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right back
> leg. We rushed her to the emergency 24 hour animal hospital. We were told
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
I think it is, right now, very much a wait and see situation. Good vibes
going out to Sade to be comfortable.
Karen
Linda E - 19 Apr 2004 12:07 GMT
No advice, just well wishes for you and Sade....
Linda
Iain & Deb - 19 Apr 2004 12:38 GMT
> Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right back
> leg. We rushed her to the emergency 24 hour animal hospital. We were told
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
My Woody threw a clot when he was 15, also. He had been hyperthyroid for
the previous two years, and we had been treating him with Tapazole, but
the vet said it was probably as a result of the hyperthyroidism that he
threw the clot. Anyway, we hoped he might recover, but the leg went
dead, and we decided it would be kinder to put him to sleep than have him
go through having his leg removed. I'm sorry I don't have a happier
story to tell, but I hope your Sade will do better.
Deb

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Don't let perfection get in the way of 'pretty damn good'. - "Coach" Jack
Donohue
Joe Canuck - 19 Apr 2004 14:59 GMT
> Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right back
> leg. We rushed her to the emergency 24 hour animal hospital. We were told
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
It could be HCM - hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Read more here: http://members.aol.com/jchinitz/hcm/

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"Its the bugs that keep it running."
-Joe Canuck
Lotte - 19 Apr 2004 16:03 GMT
Laurie --
I have a 14 year old with multiple health problems, and I am always in the
back of my mind worried about her, so I know how you feel... I've had many
cats over the years, and I've come to realize that death isn't the same for
them as it is for us. Of course we grieve when they are gone, but they have
a different kind of consciousness than we do, and don't fear death the way
that we do, so it's not as scary as it is for us. I think, for a cat, pain
is what they fear, not death. It could be Sade wasn't feeling well before
the clot came on, and that's why she was moping about somewhat. I know of
many cats who have lived over 20 years, especially if they receive good vet
care and care from their owners. If it does in fact turn out that it's
Sade's time to go, please rest assured that it will be much harder on you
than on her. That said, I hope it's *not* her time, and I will send good
healing thoughts your way --
Lotte
> Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right back
> leg. We rushed her to the emergency 24 hour animal hospital. We were told
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
dgk - 19 Apr 2004 20:01 GMT
>Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right back
>leg. We rushed her to the emergency 24 hour animal hospital. We were told
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>pick Sade' up tomorrow morning at 8:00 a.m. We're then rushing her to our
>vet right down the street.
...
One morning I found LuckyBoy unable to walk. It was the same thing, a
blood clot in the saddle. My vet said to get him to a hospital and
that the clot was the best possibility. Well, it is, but it is not
good. According to the specialist, there is almost never a blood clot
in that region without a very serious underlying heart condition. The
prognosis was that if he lived out the weekend then he could have
another year or two of pain free life, so I had them begin treatment.
I got a call later in the day that his heart was full of clots just
waiting to come out and block something else and they recommended
putting him to sleep, and I did.
This is very common as far as I can tell. I've read about it any
number of times and the vet knew immediately what was happening. I
hope for a better outcome for you and Sade. LuckyBoy was only eight or
nine.
Phil P. - 19 Apr 2004 20:04 GMT
> Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right back
> leg. We rushed her to the emergency 24 hour animal hospital. We were told
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
My first suggestion is consult a veterinary cardiologist as soon as
possible. An echocardiogram is the first order of business.
Blood clots (arterial thromboembolism) that affect the hind limb(s) are
almost always a complication associated with myocardial diseases in cats -
i.e., hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in particular. HCM has been
identified in some bloodlines of Main Coons, Persians, American Shorthairs,
and recently, Ragdolls. (see http://www.ragdoll-cats.com/Cardio.htm).
Arterial thromboembolism has also been reported in cats with hyperthyroidism
but the incidence is very low (<3%). Hyperthyroidism causes myocardial
hypertrophy that is very similar to and might be confused with HCM. So as a
precaution, have your cat's thyroid function tested.
If the clot did develop secondary to HCM, speak to your vet about the
calcium channel blocker, diltiazem. In addition to several other benefits,
diltiazem also has antiplatelet activity and may improve left atrial
hemodynamics - which reduces the risk of blood clots. Diltiazem has also
reduced hypertrophy in many cats which also decreases the risk of clot
formation.
For more information, please visit my site:
http://maxshouse.com/arterial_thromboembolism.htm
Best of luck,
Phil
IBen Getiner - 20 Apr 2004 09:50 GMT
> > Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right
> back
[quoted text clipped - 64 lines]
>
> Phil
You'll probably never hear another word from this person.
~*LiveLoveLaugh*~ - 20 Apr 2004 16:17 GMT
> > > Today, my 15 year old Ragdoll kitty suddenly started to drag her right
> > back
[quoted text clipped - 66 lines]
>
> You'll probably never hear another word from this person.
I don't know why you would even say that. There is always an a.shole in
every crowd.
The vet's office called. Sade' is now panting. I didn't get to speak
directly to my vet because Tuesday morning is surgery day. The tech said
that this means another clot has formed somewhere in her lungs. I am
waiting back to hear from the office.
She will be euthanized this afternoon. Now I know what they mean about
"dying of a broken heart"...
Laurie-Lou
Gail - 20 Apr 2004 16:32 GMT
I'm so sorry to hear this.
Gail
> > "Phil P." <phil@maxshouse.com> wrote in message
> news:<i7-dnfHBEsIxvxndRVn-hQ@giganews.com>...
[quoted text clipped - 99 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
Phil P. - 20 Apr 2004 22:20 GMT
> > "Phil P." <phil@maxshouse.com> wrote in message
> news:<i7-dnfHBEsIxvxndRVn-hQ@giganews.com>...
[quoted text clipped - 88 lines]
> directly to my vet because Tuesday morning is surgery day. The tech said
> that this means another clot has formed somewhere in her lungs.
Please take her to a cardiologist asap. She's panting probably because of
pulmonary edema (fluid in her lungs) caused by pulmonary venous
hypertension. The pressure causes fluid to leak into the little sacs in the
lungs (alveoli) where C02 and 02 are exchanged.
You can probably pull her through this and manage her very easily on
furosemide (Lasix) and nitroglycerin (ointment).
I am
> waiting back to hear from the office.
>
> She will be euthanized this afternoon.
Please consult a cardiologist first. Euthanasia probably isn't necessary.
Phil
bluemaxx - 24 Apr 2004 08:48 GMT
Don't bother, Phil. This is Laurie in New York. We all know that
she won't spend any significant amount of money to control Sade's
medical problems. Remember Karat? Euthenasia is Laurie's forte.
Linda
: > > "Phil P." <phil@maxshouse.com> wrote in message
: > news:<i7-dnfHBEsIxvxndRVn-hQ@giganews.com>...
[quoted text clipped - 118 lines]
:
: Phil
Iain & Deb - 20 Apr 2004 23:50 GMT
> > You'll probably never hear another word from this person.
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
I'm really sorry to hear that she can't be saved. My condolences.
Deb
IBen Getiner - 22 Apr 2004 11:19 GMT
> > "Phil P." <phil@maxshouse.com> wrote in message
> news:<i7-dnfHBEsIxvxndRVn-hQ@giganews.com>...
[quoted text clipped - 99 lines]
>
> Laurie-Lou
Laurie-Looo-oou....? You're not LivingLovingLaughing....!! :)
Just kidding. I'm sorry I spoke too soon about whether you would ever
show back up in here again to report the status of said cat. I was
WRONG.
Sorry again to compound pressures at your moment of grief. We love
out little boy here and we can only imagine what you're going thru.
IBen Getiner