Saddle thrombus-recovery?

[Lolo25]

Thanks so much. Yes he’s seeing a Cardiologist. I asked about the emergency pain meds, but they said no. They did send me home with buprenorphine to treat his recovery during the first week.

I saved some. I have .5ml all ready in a syringe just in case. I just don’t think it will do much of what I’m reading about the pain this causes is accurate.

He has a follow up with the cardiologist in November, and I’ve requested another echo.

Here he is with his sister Bella. Luca is the all white handsome boy on the right.

 

[white shadow]

.
Wow......what a beautiful and handsome pair they are!

Are they siblings?

I won't presume anything, so I hope you know that buprenorphine must be kept out of/away from light. I keep mine in a light-proof bag and in the fridge.

Perhaps ask the cardiologist about using the bupe, how much and perhaps for a small fresh supply. S/he might not have it on hand, but a Rx would get you some from your own Vet.

Is Bella just squinting in that pic...her left eye? Perhaps it's nothing.....

Sweet cats.

My little white shadow passed suddenly overnight from HCM, so I have a sense of the apprehension you're experiencing. Let me give you a piece written by a woman who cherishes cats while having her feet firmly planted on the ground. It might help guide you through this part of your journey: Coping_with_CKD - Anticipatory_Grieving. Her site deals with another chronic condition - no matter, our feelings are the same.

I'd encourage you to follow up and at least have a look at those groups - the nitty-gritty of what you need to know will be covered off there.

I was about to leave it there when I remembered that Helen, who wrote and owns that 'Tanya' site, also has a section on heart disease, and that includes coverage of ATE. Pain control is included there....that will give you some leverage with the specialist, I would say. Here it is: Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease - Heart Problems.
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[Taylor112233]

Hello everyone. It’s so upsetting to hear of all these little babies going through this horrible disease I’m going through a hard time at the minute and would like to see if anyone has any recommendations or can help. My tabby cat is called Ollie. Sunday (yesterday) my dad was out in the back garden talking to my cat, I could hear him saying what’s wrong are you ok. My dad then shouts Ollie looks like he has a sore leg. My cat fights quite a lot with the neighbours cat and is always hurting himself. I assumed maybe he stood on something sharp or bitten on the leg during a fight. As I Approached Ollie my heart dropped, his back legs completely stopped working. He was dragging himself along the floor using his front legs. I burst out crying and sat with him on the floor, he was crying and his back legs were twitching while he was lying down crying. I immediately called the vets as it’s lockdown I wasn’t sure if vets were open. The vet told me this doesn’t not sound good his back legs were paralysed and assumed he had a blood clot / heart problem. I grabbed him and wrapped him in a fluffy blanket and took him straight to the vet. This all happened in less than 15/20 we were super quite getting him into the vets. The vet took him immediately in ( as it’s lockdown we were not allowed in) she examining him, then came back out to tell us unfortunately she thinks it’s a blood clot and it isn’t hopeful for cats who get this I was crying my eyes out, my dad said I don’t care about the money give him whatever he needs whatever he possibly needs help him. The vet told us to leave him there for a few hours and she would call us in the next hour. Over 2 hours pass and we finally get the phone call, she said he is a very sick cat and at the moment the pain killers have helped with his pain and his legs were slightly cold. She said she would keep him overnight and call us the next day. She called us today and lets us know he’s going better, he’s still in pain but not as much as yesterday. She said his legs aren’t fully better but a lot better than when we dropped him off the night before. He ate breakfast fine at the vets. She said he’s not out of the woods yet but he is slightly improving. She said he will spend 1 more night At the vets and tomorow morning at 9am we’ve to take him for a scan (not sure what scan). I can’t sleep or eat, I feel sick. This cat is our whole life, he is the most friendly little baby. Always wants cuddles, never wants to sleep alone. Very upset when we leave him alone he needs constant love and cuddles. Everyone who meets him loves him he’s so friendly to everyone and not a shy cat at all. He loves eating mice and rats and birds. I love him so much and I don’t want to loose him. I want to fight for him to get better and not give up on him. Is there anything we should do ? Or any recommendations to say to the vet? I’ve seen loads of bad posts about saddle thrombusus (not been diagnosed officially yet). I hope he is ok I don’t think we could cope without him

 

[Taylor112233]

Hello everyone. It’s so upsetting to hear of all these little babies going through this horrible disease I’m going through a hard time at the minute and would like to see if anyone has any recommendations or can help. My tabby cat is called Ollie. Sunday (yesterday) my dad was out in the back garden talking to my cat, I could hear him saying what’s wrong are you ok. My dad then shouts Ollie looks like he has a sore leg. My cat fights quite a lot with the neighbours cat and is always hurting himself. I assumed maybe he stood on something sharp or bitten on the leg during a fight. As I Approached Ollie my heart dropped, his back legs completely stopped working. He was dragging himself along the floor using his front legs. I burst out crying and sat with him on the floor, he was crying and his back legs were twitching while he was lying down crying. I immediately called the vets as it’s lockdown I wasn’t sure if vets were open. The vet told me this doesn’t not sound good his back legs were paralysed and assumed he had a blood clot / heart problem. I grabbed him and wrapped him in a fluffy blanket and took him straight to the vet. This all happened in less than 15/20 we were super quite getting him into the vets. The vet took him immediately in ( as it’s lockdown we were not allowed in) she examining him, then came back out to tell us unfortunately she thinks it’s a blood clot and it isn’t hopeful for cats who get this I was crying my eyes out, my dad said I don’t care about the money give him whatever he needs whatever he possibly needs help him. The vet told us to leave him there for a few hours and she would call us in the next hour. Over 2 hours pass and we finally get the phone call, she said he is a very sick cat and at the moment the pain killers have helped with his pain and his legs were slightly cold. She said she would keep him overnight and call us the next day. She called us today and lets us know he’s going better, he’s still in pain but not as much as yesterday. She said his legs aren’t fully better but a lot better than when we dropped him off the night before. He ate breakfast fine at the vets. She said he’s not out of the woods yet but he is slightly improving. She said he will spend 1 more night At the vets and tomorow morning at 9am we’ve to take him for a scan (not sure what scan). I can’t sleep or eat, I feel sick. This cat is our whole life, he is the most friendly little baby. Always wants cuddles, never wants to sleep alone. Very upset when we leave him alone he needs constant love and cuddles. Everyone who meets him loves him he’s so friendly to everyone and not a shy cat at all. He loves eating mice and rats and birds. I love him so much and I don’t want to loose him. I want to fight for him to get better and not give up on him. Is there anything we should do ? Or any recommendations to say to the vet? I’ve seen loads of bad posts about saddle thrombusus (not been diagnosed officially yet). I hope he is ok I don’t think we could cope without him

He is 8 years old and I’ve noticed while reading everyone’s stories, he has been sneezing ?? I noticed him sneezing a few times and wondering if he had a cold. He kind of snorts likes pug and we asked the vets and done tests but nothing came back. He is very active, always out playing always jumping and running in the garden. I’m so worried about him

 

[bootsm]

He is 8 years old and I’ve noticed while reading everyone’s stories, he has been sneezing ?? I noticed him sneezing a few times and wondering if he had a cold. He kind of snorts likes pug and we asked the vets and done tests but nothing came back. He is very active, always out playing always jumping and running in the garden. I’m so worried about him

I'm so sorry that you are going through this, I know so much how it feels and it's truly awful but just know you aren't alone. You did the right thing by taking him straight in. Seems like a good sign that he's improving. I would ask the vet to get him on blood thinners as soon as possible. They take a couple of weeks to work so it will be touch and go unfortunately for a bit. Plavix is what wamba was on. They probably need to do test on his heart to confirm that it's heart disease but maybe if its not too risky she can put him on blood thinners sooner?

Other than getting him tested for a heart condition and putting him on heart medication plus the Plavix ASAP, it's a very stressful waiting game. I was very lucky in that my Wamba stayed with us three more years after he had his episode of saddle thrombus. And he was 17 in the end. We think he actually passed several clots at different points in the beginning but none of them went to his heart. I will keep Ollie in my thoughts. Please let us know, this site helped so much in that very few people understood what I was feeling.

 

[Taylor112233]

He is 8 years old and I’ve noticed while reading everyone’s stories, he has been sneezing ?? I noticed him sneezing a few times and wondering if he had a cold. He kind of snorts likes pug and we asked the vets and done tests but nothing came back. He is very active, always out playing always jumping and running in the garden. I’m so worried about him

I'm so sorry that you are going through this, I know so much how it feels and it's truly awful but just know you aren't alone. You did the right thing by taking him straight in. Seems like a good sign that he's improving. I would ask the vet to get him on blood thinners as soon as possible. They take a couple of weeks to work so it will be touch and go unfortunately for a bit. Plavix is what wamba was on. They probably need to do test on his heart to confirm that it's heart disease but maybe if its not too risky she can put him on blood thinners sooner?

Other than getting him tested for a heart condition and putting him on heart medication plus the Plavix ASAP, it's a very stressful waiting game. I was very lucky in that my Wamba stayed with us three more years after he had his episode of saddle thrombus. And he was 17 in the end. We think he actually passed several clots at different points in the beginning but none of them went to his heart. I will keep Ollie in my thoughts. Please let us know, this site helped so much in that very few people understood what I was feeling.

thanks for your reply. We have just taken him to the other vets and he’s having a heart scan and cardiologist is coming to see him also. I think he was on blood thinners, pain killers and had a few injections. Before we left the 1st vet she said he was such a sweetheart and he’s improve quite a bit. The 2nd vet basically gave us no hope, I’m so worried. I just want him to be ok

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

thanks for your reply. We have just taken him to the other vets and he’s having a heart scan and cardiologist is coming to see him also. I think he was on blood thinners, pain killers and had a few injections. Before we left the 1st vet she said he was such a sweetheart and he’s improve quite a bit. The 2nd vet basically gave us no hope, I’m so worried. I just want him to be ok

Any more updates from the cardiologist?

 

[Taylor112233]

Any more updates from the cardiologist?

We picked up Ollie from the vets, the cardiologist gave him a through examination. He got an ECG and heart scan, he has irregular heartbeat so he can been giving heart medication and pain killers. He has large arteries around his heart. He is home now and his legs still arnt working but he is really trying to be honest both his legs were so bad but now it seems to only be the one leg

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

What did the cardiologist say about that other leg? Do they think he'll get the feeling back? Also, long term prognosis?

 

[Taylor112233]

What did the cardiologist say about that other leg? Do they think he'll get the feeling back? Also, long term prognosis?

He said it should take about a week for him to gain full movement. At the moment sometimes he walks fine but then shortly after his right leg looks numb. Long term he won’t live his full life, but he should be ok for 1-2 more years. Cardiologist said he is a very lucky cat so I’m hoping he will be ok

 

[DreamerRose]

That's great news! I am so happy for you.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Good news for the leg, indeed. As far as how long he may live, lifespans are always just a guess. Take ME, for example. In 1992 I was told to get my affairs in order because I had probably two years left, at most. I've now outlived my 2 years prediction by 26 years, and still going strong, so doctors aren't always right .

Anyhoo, I'm guessing Ollie has new meds he'll need to take for his heart, so try to give them on time, every time, and that will be the most beneficial thing you can do. That and keeping his stress levels down. I'm sure the cardiologist gave you the run down.

Keep us posted on his progress.

 

[Taylor112233]

Hey guys, hope everyone is well. It’s been just over a week since Ollie has been home. At first his leg was really bad he legit couldn’t even jump on the couch or anything. The first night home he was very restless and wouldn’t sleep much, the next day he was a lot better. He had a check up at the vets a few days ago and he has a pulse in his leg again!!!! Now 1ish week later since he’s been home..... he has gained nearly full control of his leg. He has been taking his blood thinner tablet completely fine but will not take his aspirin. I wasn’t aware that the vet told my mum unfortunately he will have to be a house / garden cat as if it was to happen agajn be might not get home. He is very upset about this, all he wants to do is go out we take him in the garden and at first he is fine then he tries to jump on the fence and gets angry he can’t leave the garden other than that he’s doing really well and I hope it continues He has been very sleepy ( not sure if it’s because he is upset he can’t go outside or genuinely tired or his tablets make him sleepy ) but he seems back to normal and happy when he forgets he isn’t allowed outside thanks for all the support. Honestly if it wasn’t for this page I don’t know how i would’ve coped, you are all angels and thanks for everything

 

[DreamerRose]

That's wonderful! So happy for you.

 

[mrsgreenjeens]

Yay! We love success stories

 

[simpa007]

I have absolutely no idea if this thread is still active, but came across it while desperately searching for anything to give us hope. My partner's cat Madison, who she found abandoned as a kitten and raised from a bottle from day one, is seven years old. She, as of almost a week ago, seemed like she'd broken her front right leg. She was yelling in pain and unable to use it and it appeared at the time to be bent a little awkwardly. My partner took her to a vet that afternoon and was told Maddy had heart disease and it wasn't looking good. The vet didn't even seem 100% sure herself and was overly kind of difficult to read. Presumed FATE with a guarded prognosis - Maddy's set to see a cardiologist in 3 days time. At first she seemed like she was improving a little with the movement in her her leg, and we assumed it was at least a good sign that the vet didn't mention euthanasia at the time and that perhaps, even with all the dire information out there, that Maddy might be beating the odds. She's only on pain medication as of now, no blood thinners because for some reason the vet doesn't seem to want to be so specific on her diagnosis (mentioned it possibly being neurological like once but it doesn't seem to fit in truth), and is spending a lot of time sleeping in the closet. She still eats, and can hobble around on three legs though prefers not to. She also sometimes comes out to spend time closer to my partner and her dog, so she's not fully reclusive. Today, though, that leg's begun to swell to a point that's very noticeable and her paw's very cold. Anything I read only EVER mentions problems with the back legs so it's really difficult to get any accurate sounding information. She just has to hold on 'til Wednesday and then we're hoping for a treatment plan as opposed to the euthanasia option. If there's still a fight to be had then we will fight for her. I'm just looking for anyone who's maybe experienced it similarly in the front leg or has seen the swelling, or just anything, really. The vet just isn't helpful enough, in my opinion. My partner loves that cat more than she loves anything in the world and it's beginning to get hard supporting her with little to no actual information and the constant change happening in Maddy's leg. Any info or help would be so appreciated if this thread's still active. Thank-you in advance.