Arterial thromboembolism in 250 cats in general practice: 2004-2012.

Background: Population characteristics and outcome of cats with arterial thromboembolism (ATE) managed in general practice (GP) have been poorly described.
Hypothesis: Cats with ATE presenting to GP are usually euthanized at presentation, but survival times >1 year are possible.
Animals: Cats with ATE managed by 3 GP clinics in the United Kingdom.
Methods: Records of cases presenting to GP over a 98-month period (2004-2012) were reviewed. Cats with an antemortem diagnosis of limb ATE were included. Outcome information was obtained.
Results: Over 98 months, 250 cats were identified with ATE. Prevalence was approximately 0.3%. At presentation, 153 cats (61.2%) were euthanized, with 68/97 (70.1%) of the remaining cats (27.2% of the total population) surviving >24 hours after presentation. Of these, 30/68 (44.1%) survived for at least 7 days. Hypothermia (HR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.002-2.07; P = .049) and management by Clinic 2 (HR, 5.53; 95% CI, 1.23-24.8; P = .026) were independent predictors of 24-hour euthanasia or death. For cats surviving >24 hours, hypothermia (HR, 2.25; 95% CI, 1.12-4.48; P = .021) and failure to receive aspirin, clopidogrel, or both (HR, 8.26; 95% CI, 1.39-50; P = .001) were independent predictors of euthanasia or death within 7 days. For cats that survived ≥7 days, median survival time was 94 (95% CI, 42-164) days, with 6 cats alive 1 year after presentation.
Conclusions: Although 153/250 cats were euthanized at presentation, 6 cats survived >12 months. No factors were identified that predicted euthanasia on presentation.
(Copyright © 2013 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.)