Thromboembolism in dogs symptoms. Arterial thromboembolism: its clinical manifestation and causes in cats and dogs

For the first time in medicine, the concept of blockage of a vessel (embolism) by something (for example, a thrombus), followed by a violation of the blood supply to surrounding organs and tissues, was introduced in 1856. In veterinary medicine, the first experimental work that showed the existence of a causal relationship between thromboembolism and heart disease in cats was carried out in the 60s of the twentieth century.

Causes of thromboembolism:

1) The most common aortic thromboembolism in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and endomyocarditis, less often pulmonary embolism. At the same time, an increase in the chambers of the heart contributes to stagnation of blood and the formation of blood clots. Also, chronic cardiac pathology is accompanied by dysfunction of the liver and kidneys, which lead to insufficiency of the anticoagulant system of the blood. With endomyocarditis (inflammation of the endo- and myocardium), cell death occurs, which can also cause blood clots.

2) Severe infections and sepsis.

3) All kinds of shock.

4) Extensive surgical operations.

5) Immune diseases, allergies.

6) Oncological diseases (especially vascular tumors).

7) Chemical and thermal burns of the esophagus and stomach.

8) Extensive trauma and bleeding.

9) Poisoning with hemolytic poisons.

10) Incorrect use of drugs that increase and decrease blood coagulation.

Clinical signs (appear quickly, within a few minutes):

The first symptom of a thromboembolism is often the animal's intense vocalization due to severe pain.
The animal breathes frequently (dyspnea), with its mouth open.
There is a decrease in the overall temperature, the development of shock (cardiogenic).

Paralysis or paresis of one or several limbs simultaneously with a significant decrease in temperature in this limb (limbs), blue fingertips and a decrease or absence of pain sensitivity. Also, the arterial pulse on palpation is reduced or absent. Significant or complete loss of reflexes and sensation in a paralyzed limb. Muscles become firmer.

An important distinguishing feature of thromboembolism from acute (for example, traumatic) spinal cord injury, which is also accompanied by paralysis or paresis of the limbs, is a decrease in local temperature and pallor (or blue tint) of the fingertips!

The development of neurological symptoms in thromboembolism is based on damage to the nervous tissue as it is more sensitive to a lack of oxygen. A few minutes after the violation of blood supply in the nervous tissue, signs of ischemia develop. The severity of thromboembolism can be judged by the degree of neurological disorders.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of clinical signs, history taking and additional research methods (biochemical blood test, ultrasound dopplerography of large vessels of the abdominal cavity, ecg, echocardiography, x-ray, neurological examination, myelography, angiography).

Timely diagnosis of primary pathology allows preventing the development of complications. Thromboembolism of the aorta and pulmonary artery are the most dangerous conditions and often lead to the death of the animal. If the above clinical symptoms occur, it is necessary to urgently deliver the animal to the clinic as soon as possible, without wasting a minute! Take care of your pets and they will love you back. You can ask your questions on our forum.

Veterinary cardiologist

Blinova Elena Vladimirovna

Veterinary clinic Bambi.

An article on the topic: "signs of thrombophlebitis of the puppy's hand" as the most important information about the disease.

Diseases of the heart and blood vessels are insidious misfortunes that have mowed down many people. However, this statement applies to their pets to no lesser extent. In particular, thromboembolism in dogs, which is a deadly disease, leaves the animal little chance. Therefore, the owner must be aware of the early symptoms of such diseases.

This is the name of a pathology in which a blood clot formed in the heart or vein (much less often in an artery) plugs some large vessel. As a rule, such a serious illness can be triggered by almost any disease of the heart or blood vessels. Poisoning, infectious diseases, and helminthiases also play a negative role. And even immoderate treatment with drugs that increase blood clotting.

In dogs, “thromboembolism” almost always refers to a situation where such a blood clot blocks the flow of blood in the femoral artery. Given that this vessel feeds both hind limbs, this is fraught with major troubles. In this case, the risk of necrosis and gangrene is high. The initial stages can be identified by a decreased pulse, cold extremities, and paralysis.

Fortunately, this disease in dogs is very rare (which cannot be said, for example, about cats or humans). There is evidence that the pathology may be of a genetic nature. In principle, there are grounds for such an opinion, since heart diseases are often inherited, which, in turn, cause thrombosis. So if a dog suffers or dies from thromboembolism, it is advisable to exclude all of its offspring from breeding.

Symptoms and diagnosis

How to determine that something is very wrong with the vessels of your pet? Symptoms of thromboembolism in dogs are quite typical:

Sudden loss of limbs.
The dog moves by dragging one or both hind legs.
He constantly whines in pain, although outwardly everything is in order with him.
Cold hind limbs.
Soon signs of their necrosis may appear, in severe cases the animal does not feel its paws at all.

The diagnosis is made on the basis of a careful medical examination. But without a cardiogram, X-ray examination and ultrasound, it will not be possible to do. Moreover, radiography has proven itself especially well. To obtain the most complete information, certain amounts of radioactive isotopes are introduced into the animal's blood, and only then its body is "shown" on an x-ray. If the thrombus is large enough (and others do not cause severe thromboembolism), an experienced veterinarian can easily find it in the picture.

Therapy and prognosis

Currently, all treatment consists of using two options: prescribing thrombolytic drugs (heparin), or surgery. The latter is fraught with death. In principle, drug treatment has shown itself well, but for success it is important to start it as early as possible. In the later stages of thromboembolism, drugs are of little use. Recent studies show that clopidogrel (Plavix) is a good choice for preventing blood clots from growing, outperforming aspirin, which is highly undesirable for dogs. In many cases, when a blood clot was detected in a timely manner, this drug allows you to completely destroy it. Alas, it does not guarantee that the clot will not form again in a couple of months.

Despite treatment, the prognosis is poor. Even death from venous thromboembolism is an embarrassingly common occurrence, not to mention cases of arterial thrombosis. Many animals have to be euthanized. Fortunately, the success of pharmacists allows us to hope that in the next five years, effective drugs will finally appear that can reliably prevent recurrent cases of thrombosis.

Prevention

Aortic thromboembolism (and venous) is a consequence of vascular and heart diseases. By itself, this pathology never appears. Since any heart disease in the early stages is asymptomatic, it is necessary to take your pet to the veterinarian at least once a year. If the specialist does not detect any suspicious noises, then your dog will probably not be in danger of thromboembolism (unless he gets poisoned, of course, or worms start in his intestines).

If your veterinarian suspects heart disease, he may measure blood pressure, as well as prescribe an x-ray, ultrasound or ECG. All these methods make it possible to identify dangerous pathologies even before they contribute to the formation of a blood clot. The sooner treatment is started, the greater the chance of a successful outcome.

If you notice even one of the symptoms we have described above, call your veterinarian immediately. Even if it turns out that it is not a thromboembolism of the blood vessels in dogs, an unscheduled examination will definitely not hurt your pet.

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system are extremely dangerous, as they are fraught, at best, with a significant decrease in the quality of life. This is true for both humans and their pets. Thrombosis in dogs is especially terrible, as it can lead to both amputation of limbs and death.

General information, predisposing factors

A thrombus that causes thrombosis is a blood clot. The danger of this formation is that it does not appear on the wound, but directly in the blood vessel. A thrombus can completely or partially block the lumen of a blood vessel, but this is not the worst. It is much worse when it breaks away from its place of attachment and goes to "swim" through the bloodstream.

If the clot plugged the vessel that feeds the finger, for example, then the latter can be cut off (if gangrene begins). In the case when the vessel is located in the brain, there is no need to cut anything, since death will occur within a few seconds. What are the reasons for what is happening? Here are some of the main ones:

Injury(hitting a car or bicycle, falling from a height), which can result in the formation of deep tissue lesions, which is fraught with the development of a blood clot.

Endocrine pathologies such as Cushing's disease.

Autoimmune diseases of all kinds (especially autoimmune hemolytic anemia).

Cancer and, in some cases, benign neoplasms.

infectious diseases and inflammatory diseases of non-infectious etiology.

Kidney diseases, accompanied by a strong loss of protein (blood, as it were, “thinns” and begins to seep through the walls of blood vessels).

Certain medicines (especially long-term use corticosteroids).

Symptoms

The symptoms of thrombosis in a dog depend on the site where the thrombus formed.. Unfortunately, the pathology becomes apparent only when the pathological process reaches its maximum. In addition, it always happens suddenly, you simply cannot predict or do something in advance to endow the condition of your pet.

Thrombus in the brain- one of the most severe types of pathology. Usually, the animal dies within a short time, but in milder cases, you may notice a dramatic change in your pet's behavior. It can become inadequate, unusually apathetic, the dog's coordination of movements is sharply disturbed, it can bump into all objects in the room and even people. Seizures are excluded.

The formation of a blood clot in the heart is also very dangerous and is fraught with sudden death of the dog. The symptoms are quite specific. So, dogs with a blood clot acquire the “bad habit” of constantly fainting for no apparent reason. The most "light" special case is the formation of a blood clot directly in the lungs.

As a rule, this does not threaten death (at least sudden), but the animal has large breathing problems: it becomes very difficult, becomes hoarse and superficial. The pet simply cannot inhale normally and deeply, as this causes him very severe pain.

If a a clot will form in the dog's limbs, then you will immediately notice that your pet cannot use its paws normally. Almost always, it is enough just to feel the leg to guess the presence of a blood clot, since in this case it will be noticeably colder than the surrounding tissues. If you notice something similar in your beloved dog, immediately take him to the veterinarian, as delay is fraught with necrosis of the limb with the need for its subsequent amputation.

Arise clots and in the gastrointestinal tract(in the vessels of the mesentery, for example). If this happens, the dog will experience very severe pain, due to which he may begin to simply roll on the floor. You can often think that the animal has colic. All this is sometimes accompanied by severe vomiting and/or diarrhea.

The prognosis for thrombosis is cautious to poor. Much depends on how quickly the owners of the sick animal turned to the veterinarian for help.

Diagnostics and therapy

Because other health problems can cause many of these same symptoms, veterinarians typically begin with a complete physical exam, urinalysis, and blood work, including a complete blood count and a biochemistry check. X-rays of the chest cavity, its ultrasound examination, as well as the removal of the ECG are very important.

When determining the course of therapy, the veterinarian must decide whether the clot can be broken and whether recurrence is possible. The most common treatment for thrombosis in dogs is to prescribe clopidogrel bisulfate(Plavix) or heparin. Rarely, specialists try to break up the clot with catheters or bypass surgery. But this is an extreme case.

Here the problem lies in the fact that one large clot can turn into a dozen small ones that are no less dangerous. That is why veterinarians prefer not to touch stable blood clots.

Symptomatic treatment is prescribed, and in the meantime, the "plug" is gradually dissolved with heparin. With quality treatment, there is a certain chance for a full recovery., even if the consequences of thrombosis were very serious (up to taking away paws). So, there is a case when the dog fully recovered after three months of therapy.

All materials on the site are verified by practicing hematologists and oncohematologists, but are not a prescription for treatment. If necessary, consult a doctor for an examination!

Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities can affect superficial or deep veins. How does thrombosis develop in the hands, what are its causes and symptoms? It is important to recognize the disease in time, and the prognosis of treatment will be favorable.

Violation of blood flow as a result of the formation of blood clots in the vessels leads to the development of thrombosis, which is often life-threatening. In medical practice, thrombosis of the lower extremities is most common, but blood clots can also form in other vessels, affect other organs or parts of the body.

A rather rare disease is arm thrombosis, in which blood clots (thrombi) form in the veins, disrupting normal blood flow. A thrombus can have a different size, block the blood flow partially or completely. The disease can affect both superficial and deep veins, but regardless of the location of the thrombus, treatment should be carried out as quickly as possible and only under the supervision of a phlebologist. At risk for the development of thrombosis are the elderly, as well as those who prefer to use drugs.

Important! Thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities in most cases is not an independent disease, but develops against the background of other disorders occurring in the body. Basically, a blood clot in the arm is localized in the region of the subclavian vein or on the veins of the arms.

Causes of hand thrombosis

There are many reasons and predisposing factors for the development of thrombosis in the arm, but in 80% of cases the disease develops against the background of improper vein catheterization, after injections, with prolonged infusion therapy, or in drug addicts. The causes of thrombophlebitis in the hands can also be manifested as a result of the following factors:

an allergic reaction to long-term use of certain medications;
local injuries of the hands with severe damage to the veins;
bite of blood-sucking insects;
prolonged immobilization of the upper limb in fractures;
diseases of purulent origin affecting the hands: phlegmon, septic conditions;
increased blood clotting;
hereditary thrombophilia;
pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
elderly age;
hypodynamia;
metabolic disorders: diabetes mellitus, obesity.

Given the peculiarity of the human body, these are far from all the reasons that can provoke circulatory disorders in the upper limbs with the subsequent formation of a blood clot.

Clinical signs

The symptoms of thrombosis in the arm directly depend on the depth of the damaged veins, the localization of the pathological process, and the characteristics of the human body. When thrombophlebitis of the upper limbs of the superficial veins is affected, the following symptoms are present:

Severe pain of varying intensity along the venous trunk.
Redness and swelling of the skin over the damaged vein.
When probing the vein, it is dense.
Venous vessels are clearly visible through the skin.
The cervical and axillary lymph nodes are enlarged.
The body temperature rises.
The mobility of the arm is impaired, the slightest movement intensifies the pain.

With the defeat of deep veins by thrombophlebitis, the signs of the disease are slightly different:

Swelling and bluing of the hand in the area of blockage.
Severe and sharp pain in the area of injury.
Limited movement of the injured joint.
General intoxication of the body: increased weakness, fatigue.

In some cases, migratory thrombophlebitis may develop, which indicates blood poisoning. In such cases, multiple nodes will be visible under the skin that clog the vessels. Regardless of the depth of damage to the veins in the arms, treatment should be carried out as quickly as possible. The sooner a person seeks help from doctors, the greater the chances of a successful recovery.

Diagnostic methods

The diagnosis of thrombophlebitis of the upper extremities is made on the results of examination of the hand. The doctor also collects the patient's complaints, studies the medical history. To make a final diagnosis, the patient is assigned a number of laboratory and instrumental studies:

Laboratory analysis of blood, urine.
Vascular ultrasound.
X-ray.
Blood tests for hormones.
Blood clotting test.

If necessary, the patient may be prescribed other research methods that will help identify the cause, choose the most optimal treatment.

Important! With thrombophlebitis of the superficial veins of the arm, the prognosis is favorable in 80% of cases. If deep vein damage occurs, treatment is longer and often requires surgical repair.

How to treat?

Treatment of thrombosis on the arm is carried out by a phlebologist and includes a set of therapeutic measures aimed at eliminating the symptoms of the disease, vascular patency, restoring blood circulation in the veins and vessels.

Comprehensive treatment consists of bed rest, diet, medication. Fried, spicy, fatty foods should be excluded from the patient's diet, it is also worth refraining from drinking alcohol. A nutritious diet should include vegetable fats, dairy products, fresh vegetables, and other healthy foods.

See also Nutrition for Deep Vein Thrombosis in addition to the current article.

Drug treatment will improve the patient's condition, relieve the symptoms of the disease. Drug therapy includes taking antibacterial drugs, as well as antiprotozoal drugs that will help relieve inflammation and prevent further progression of the disease.

The use of anticoagulant drugs is considered important in treatment: for example, Heparin, which will reduce blood clotting and prevent the recurrence of blood clots. Treatment includes the appointment of venotonic agents: these are Troxevasin, Detralex, Venarus, as well as the drug Warfarin. With severe pain syndrome, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed: Diclofenac, Movalis.

For topical application, ointments, gels are prescribed: Lyoton, Heparin ointment, Troxevasin. Mandatory in the treatment process is elastic bandaging of the diseased hand.

In the case when conservative treatment does not give the desired results, the patient undergoes an operation to remove the vein damaged by a thrombus.

The prognosis for thrombosis of the hand is generally favorable, but only if the patient consults a doctor on time. Timely diagnosis and proper treatment will help to avoid all possible consequences, thereby improving the quality of human life.

1. Autoimmune hemolytic anemia in children: what is missing and how it manifests itself
2. How to choose a diet by blood type: lose weight together
3. The level of basophils in adults has decreased: how to treat basophilia
4. Norms of neutrophils in the blood and what functions they perform
5. What to do with an increase in the level of basophils and what can this mean?
6. Why does the body need bilirubin: its functions and how to take an analysis for an indicator
7. How to reduce the elevated level of lymphocytes in the blood in adults?

vascular thrombosis - thrombosis. A disease characterized by partial or complete blockage of arterial or venous vessels as a result of the formation of blood clots. Venous thrombosis is the most common in animals.

Etiology. Thrombosis in animals, as a primary disease, occurs as a result of traumatic injuries and vascular inflammation. Secondary thrombosis occurs with endocarditis, atherosclerosis as a result of the collapse of atheromatous plaques and necrotic areas. Contributes to vascular thrombosis, weakening of cardiac activity and a decrease in the tone of blood vessels, leading to a slowdown in blood flow. Increased blood clotting also contributes to the appearance of blood clots in the animal. In farm animals, vein damage usually occurs. Often you have to deal with thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein caused by inept puncture and the ingress of certain medicinal substances (calcium chloride, hypertonic sodium chloride solution, chloral hydrate, etc.) into the perivascular section of the vein. In animals, thrombophlebitis can occur with various pathological changes in the endothelium of blood vessels of allergic origin.

Pathogenesis. A blood clot formed in a vessel can dissolve, soften or organize (compact) and cause inflammation of the very wall of the blood vessel. Depending on the degree of closure of the lumen of the blood vessel, thrombi can be - clogging (obturating), parietal. Venous thrombosis leads to severe disorders of the function of the relevant organs and tissues, sometimes leading to necrosis and tissue breakdown. As a result of all this, the working capacity and productivity of animals are sharply reduced. With thrombosis of large blood vessels, for example, the abdominal aorta, iliac arteries, the animal quickly dies.

Pathological changes. When dead animals are opened, white blood clots are found in large vessels, consisting of platelets, leukocytes, fibrin and erythrocytes, firmly connected to the wall. A red thrombus is usually localized in the veins and leads to their obstruction. It consists of fibrin, platelets, leukocytes and a significant number of erythrocytes. A mixed thrombus is represented by elements of a white and red thrombus. It is most often found in veins, arteries, aneurysms. Outwardly, it is possible to distinguish in it the head, which has the structure of a white thrombus, the neck, consisting of elements of a white and red thrombus, and the tail, which has the structure of a red thrombus. Hyaline thrombi, which are usually found in the vessels of the microvasculature, consists of dead erythrocytes with an admixture of fibrin and single leukocytes.

Clinical picture. Symptoms of vascular thrombosis in a sick animal depend on the location of the thrombus and the size of the vessel affected by the thrombus. With thrombosis of the coronary vessels, we, in a clinical study of a sick animal, get a symptomatic complex characteristic of myocardial infarction. With thrombosis of the renal artery - a clinical picture characteristic of "renal colic", hypertension, in the urine we find protein and blood. Dogs and pigs often have a clinical picture of pulmonary thrombosis. With vein thrombosis in an animal, we note pain. In some sick animals, during a clinical examination, we register an increase in body temperature, and in a blood test, an accelerated ESR and neutrophilic leukocytosis.

If an animal has thrombosis of large veins of the extremities, then such animals cannot stand up. They have pain in the area of the thrombus. The diseased limb is cold on palpation, moderately edematous, the skin at the site of edema is cyanotic, its sensitivity to palpation is reduced. During a clinical examination of a sick animal, we note trembling, general sweating, convulsions, shortness of breath, tachycardia.

With thrombosis of the anterior vena cava in a sick animal, during a clinical examination, we register an overflow of veins in the head, neck and thoracic limbs. Some animals develop chest dropsy.

With thrombosis of the posterior vena cava, the sick animal develops venous congestion in the posterior part of the body, and there may be abdominal dropsy.

Thrombosis of the animal's portal vein results in malnutrition and congestion in the stomach and intestines.

Postpartum inflammatory diseases of the uterus in animals are sometimes complicated by septic thrombophlebitis. The resulting inflammatory process along the descending pathways spreads to the veins of the pelvic limbs. During a clinical examination of such an animal, we register a fever of remitting type.

With thrombosis of large and medium vessels of the brain, heart, lungs, animals have sudden death.

If an animal has thrombosis of small blood vessels, then the disease proceeds imperceptibly for the owner of the animal.

Flow. The disease in animals is most often chronic. When the thrombus resolves, venous blood flow is restored. If a thrombus is organized, then the sick animal develops collateral circulation. During the life of the animal may be relapses of the disease. Thrombosis of the blood vessels of the heart, brain, kidneys, lungs often leads to death.

Diagnosis veterinary specialists put on vascular thrombosis on the basis of the most characteristic clinical symptoms of the disease, taking into account anamnestic data. With thrombophlebitis in the blood, we note an accelerated ESR and neutrophilic leukocytosis.

The prognosis is cautious or unfavorable.

Treatment. Sick animals create conditions that protect the affected area of the veins from bruises and injuries. To reduce the inflammatory reaction, cold is applied topically, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin) is prescribed orally. Surgical treatment is applied locally, dressings are applied with heparin, butadion ointment. For the treatment of thrombophlebitis of infectious etiology, antibiotics are used, including modern cephalosporins, sulfanilamide preparations. In the initial stages of the disease, fibrolysin is administered intravenously with heparin (large animals 300,000 units of fibrolysin, 20,000 units of heparin in 500 ml of distilled water). This drug mixture is administered slowly to sick animals.

Physiotherapy is used - galvanization, a magnetic field, diadynamic currents are used.

Thromboembolism in cats is a syndrome of acute blood flow disturbance in a pet caused by the process of embolization (blockage) of an artery by a blood clot (thrombus). According to experts, this disease is accompanied by extensive injuries in the animal, cardiomyopathy, as well as chronic heart and kidney failure. Localization of a blood clot usually occurs in a place where the aorta is divided into two branches (bifurcation area). However, blockages can also develop in the arteries of the kidneys or lungs.

This pathology is dangerous because the thrombus, as it moves through the blood vessels, can completely block the vessel of the limb. This leads to paresis or paralysis of the pet's hind legs and the onset of necrotic processes in the blocked parts of the body. The article will discuss in detail the causes of thrombosis, the main symptoms and methods of treatment.

The owner must clearly understand that the ailment in question is more of a concomitant than an independent disease. That is, it develops against the background of various diseases, mainly cardiac, that the cat had or has.

A blood clot often develops in the left atrium, through which it can enter the most distant parts of the aorta. As a result, a meowing friend may have problems in the gastrointestinal tract, brain, kidneys, as well as completely refuse the hind or forelimbs.

Veterinarians note that thromboembolism is arterial and venous. They differ in the location of the blood clot. And in the vein, blood clots are even more common. This is due to the speed of blood flow: in an artery it is very fast, and in a vein it is slow. In addition, the arterial vessels are characterized by a smooth intima (inner shell), which prevents the formation of clots. On the other hand, a blood clot formed in a vein practically cannot lead a pet to instant death. But the one that arose in the aorta is quite.

Causes

Blood clots can form in blood vessels due to the following factors:

infection and sepsis;
animal poisoning with toxic substances;
pathologies of the cardiovascular system;
oncological diseases;
the presence of enzymes in the blood;
mechanical damage to blood vessels;
previous operations.

It is important for cat owners to know that, according to statistics, these animals suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system more often than others. Therefore, the formation of clots in the arteries and veins is not uncommon for them.

Symptoms of the disease

Experts are convinced that in many respects the signs of the disease are determined by the location of the process. The most striking symptoms of thromboembolism in cats are expressed as follows:

The cat's coordination of movements is disturbed, lameness appears.
Feeling the hind limbs may reveal paralysis in both legs. At the same time, the muscles on them melt like stone.
The pads on the paws of the tailed fidget turn pale.
If a blood clot clogged the renal arteries, then the animal will begin to suffer from pain in the lumbar region, severe vomiting will appear. A blood test can show an increased content of nitrogenous metabolic products in it.
Thromboembolism of the mesenteric arteries is characterized by the fact that the pet begins to have diarrhea and vomiting, often with the presence of blood in the secretions. Palpation of the abdomen leads to painful reactions.
Coma, seizures resembling epileptic and disturbances in the functioning of the vestibular apparatus are signs of a blood clot that is located in the blood vessels of the brain.
If a blood clot is formed in the pulmonary artery, then the pet will begin to cough, shortness of breath. Pale mucous membranes. The pulse becomes weak, and the jugular veins characteristically swell.

Data from statistical studies regarding the survival of pets who have experienced thromboembolism are extremely disappointing. The presence of a thrombus is aggravated by the ingress of ischemic toxins into the blood. Together, this leads to the multiple development of pathological processes in the body of the animal.

Thromboembolism in cats can only be cured if detected early. A timely diagnosis made by a qualified specialist and immediately started treatment can minimize the damage from a blood clot traveling through the cat's bloodstream. Otherwise, the risk of death increases with each lost day.

Diagnostic methods

With pronounced clinical symptoms, it is not particularly difficult for a doctor to identify thromboembolism. If the signs are not so characteristic, then a number of procedures will help determine the exact diagnosis. These include:

Biochemical analysis of the animal's blood, as well as an additional study on the time of its coagulation.
Ultrasound of the heart is aimed at assessing the speed at which myocardial contractions occur, as well as how much the atria have increased or decreased compared to the norm.
Angiography is a procedure by which pathologies in the functioning of the blood vessels of an animal can be detected.

Treatment of the disease

How effective the treatment of thromboembolism in cats will be depends on the speed with which the owners contact the veterinary clinic. If the process has not gone too far, then the doctor will definitely try to restore normal blood flow in the animal. The operation is one of the most cardinal, but also effective methods. In this case, the veterinarian opens the aorta in order to free the duct and prevent ischemia.

It is important to understand that this disease in itself is only a symptom. Therefore, the specialist needs to eliminate the cause of its appearance, that is, a blood clot. After a blood clot is found, infusion therapy is performed, allowing the blood to be in the vascular bed. The last step will be the appointment of thrombolytics for the pet - drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots. The dose and intensity of the medication is prescribed by a specialist, depending on the individual characteristics of the patient.

The owner should be aware that the risk of death during surgery is very high. As an alternative, rheolytic thrombectomy can be used. Its essence lies in the fact that the doctor is trying to "break" the clot with the help of a catheter inserted into the vessel. The cat is currently under general anesthesia. The procedure is very complicated, it can only be performed by an experienced veterinarian. But even this does not give a full guarantee of recovery, a relapse can occur within 3-4 weeks.

In especially advanced cases of thromboembolism, when the process of tissue necrosis has already passed in the pet’s body, the best solution would be to stop the pet’s torment and euthanize it.

Preventive actions

As a result of research by veterinarians, it has been found that the average life expectancy of a cat that has survived an operation to remove a blood clot is from 3 months to 2 years. Very rarely, but it happens that the pet returns to its usual life. Admittedly, this is more the exception than the rule. Much more often, a furry friend forever remains disabled, who finds it difficult to move around and fulfill his natural needs. Therefore, it is better to prevent the disease than to risk the health of the pet later.

There are no special preventive measures that will effectively protect a cat from the occurrence of blood clots. However, the owner should try to protect the animal from excessively fatty foods. Cats whose diet consists of healthy foods rich in vitamins and trace elements get sick much less often. In addition, it is necessary to vaccinate the cat on time and give him anthelmintic drugs. Such measures will reduce the risk of developing blood clots in the vessels of an animal by a quarter.

Phlebitis is called inflammation of the veins without the formation of a blood clot. If the inflammation is limited to the perivenous loose tissue and the adventitia of the vessel itself, then it is called periphlebitis (Periphlebitis). The defeat of the entire wall of the vein with the formation of a blood clot in it is called thrombophlebitis (Trombophlebitis).

If thrombophlebitis of a vein is accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process in the surrounding (intermuscular, interfascial) tissue, then it should be called parathrombophlebitis (BM Olivkov).

Thrombosis is a violation of blood circulation due to the development of a blood clot. It is relatively rare in domestic animals.

Etiology and pathogenesis. Very often in animals, especially in horses, there are phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein (Fig. 1). A common cause of thrombosis is a helminthic aneurysm of the anterior mesenteric artery, from where particles (emboli) break off and enter the pelvic and femoral arteries (Fig. 2, 3). It is generally accepted that the main etiological factor of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis is injury to the walls of venous vessels. This is a consequence of frequent punctures of the jugular vein in order to obtain blood or administer drugs. Intravenous infusions are the most convenient, economical and effective form of application of various drugs in veterinary practice, so the number of drugs used intravenously is constantly growing. Among them, a significant number are highly irritating substances that cause serious complications when they enter the perivascular tissues. Flavacridine is one of these substances. When even a very small amount of flavacridine solution enters the perivascular tissue, serious complications arise in the form of necrotic, parathrombophlebitis (MA Vasiliev). Phlebitis can also be the result of poor disinfection of the surgical field and sterilization of surgical instruments used for bloodletting; vein punctures in the same place; the use of insufficiently sharp instruments for the operation, too rapid administration and a very high concentration of solutions used for intravenous infusions (B. M. Olivkov).

Rice. 1. Thrombophlebitis in a horse

Rice. 2. Thrombosis of the femoral artery

Rice. 3. Carrying out the left limb by dragging in case of thrombosis of the femoral artery

Based on these etiological factors of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis, when they occurred in animals, veterinary specialists were accused of violating the rules of asepsis and technical errors in punctures and injections of the vein. However, it is known that during the period of teaching students the technique of intravenous injections on clinically healthy experimental horses and other animals, the stated etiological precautions were not always observed, the puncture of the vein in the same animal was performed many times, and nevertheless, almost no cases of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis were observed. And only the detailed experimental and clinical work of V. V. Popov and M. A. Vasiliev clarified the etiopathogenesis of phlebitis and thrombophlebitis.

After conducting a large series of experiments on horses, V. V. Popov came to the conclusion that during septic processes under the influence of a septic beginning, a change in the reactivity of the body, a violation of the general metabolism, as well as changes in the vascular system, which are of a different nature depending on the duration and the intensity of the disease. All this taken together leads to peculiar changes in the reactivity of the horse's body, referred to as sensitization or allergization. Under the influence of the latter, with a natural disease and with artificial exposure, thrombophlebitis develops, which was not observed in clinically healthy horses.

In healthy horses, only after parenteral administration of a heterogeneous protein, the reactivity of the organism is artificially disturbed and, due to the sensitization that occurs in it, the deliberate dispersion of organotropic irritating substances in the perivascular and paravenous areas causes the onset of a clinically visible inflammatory reaction. In other words, experiments and clinical observations give the author reason to conclude that thrombophlebitis develops against the background of violations of the general reactivity of the horse's body, which are usually referred to as paraallergy.

M.A. Vasiliev also, as a result of numerous observations, concludes that vein puncture in clinically healthy horses is a practically safe operation. Complications occur as an exception only with gross trauma to the vascular wall. Comparatively rarely, thrombophlebitis develops in horses that are administered medicinal substances for prophylactic purposes. Even such highly irritating substances as flavacridine, with the correct technique of intravenous infusion, do not cause complications in healthy animals.

A very significant fact is, notes M.A. Vasiliev that thrombophlebitis develops in the vast majority of cases in sick horses, especially in seriously ill, septic patients. In addition to clinical observations, he performed an autopsy of 23 horse corpses. In 12 cases, when vein punctures and intravenous infusions of various solutions were performed during the treatment, thrombi of various sizes were found at the autopsy in the lumen of the vein at the puncture site. In 11 other cases, when vein punctures were not performed, no changes were found in the vein wall.

Against the background of a general change in the reactivity of the body, the neurodystrophic status of tissues is established in the zone of the jugular vein.

Irritation, which in a healthy animal is very weak and practically harmless, in a septic patient manifests itself as strong, causing serious changes in the tissues. Such an additional irritation in the author's observations is the trauma of the vascular wall, and especially its intima, a needle and the action of various solutions of medicinal substances. The risk of complications increases if the vein puncture technique is violated, intravenous infusions and as a result of the use of highly irritating substances. Only in such coverage, according to M.A. Vasiliev, can one find an explanation for the fact that during the autopsy of the corpses of horses that died as a result of the development of severe sepsis, he in all cases found a blood clot in the lumen of the jugular vein.

Flavacridine solutions, according to the observations of M. A. Vasiliev, have an extremely strong irritant effect and are retained for a long time in the tissues at the injection site. His studies showed that the concentration of flavacridine in the tissues at the injection site of the solution decreases slowly. He performed tissue biopsy at various times after subcutaneous injection of 5 ml of 1 °/o-th solution of flavacridine and found this drug, mg per 100 g: in a day - 33.3; after 2 days - 16.66; after 3 days-15; after 5 days - 10.02; after 45 days - 6.7 and after 63 days - 1.67.

Once in the tissues, flavacridine quickly reduces the lability of nerve trunks and nerve endings. In neighboring tissue areas, a negative trophic reaction is reflexively established, characterized by the gradual development of the inflammatory process. In all cases, at the site of injection of flavacridine, a swelling appears, gradually growing and spreading over a large area, with a slight testiness, slightly painful, with a slight increase in local temperature. Clinically, deep dystrophic changes in the skin at the site of swelling are also easily detected. These changes are expressed primarily in the reduction and cessation of sweating. The skin becomes dry. After a few days, its sensitivity decreases, peeling of the epidermis occurs, hair falls out, the skin becomes thinner and in some cases dies along with deeper tissues (M. A. Vasiliev).

Clinical signs. They vary depending on the degree of damage to the walls of the blood vessel, surrounding tissues, the formation of a thrombus, the course of the inflammatory process (aseptic or purulent, acute or chronic), unilateral or bilateral damage to the jugular vein.

Aseptic acute phlebitis is characterized by moderately severe inflammatory swelling, local edema along the jugular vein, and pain reaction. With aseptic periphlebitis, edema and swelling of the tissues surrounding the vein is more pronounced. In acute cases, on palpation, the pain reaction is well expressed. In chronic cases, a thickening of the vein wall and surrounding tissue is found in the form of a cord along the jugular vein. However, the patency of blood through the vein is preserved.

Aseptic thrombophlebitis is characterized by edema and spherical compaction at the site of the thrombus, overflow of blood in the peripheral segment of the vein. Painful reaction is moderately expressed. The contours of the jugular groove are smoothed due to inflammatory edema of the perivascular tissue. The local temperature is slightly elevated. Decreased neck mobility. After pressing the vein in the lower part of the neck, the affected area is poorly filled (due to the changed elasticity of the vessel wall and the presence of perivascular edema).

In chronic non-purulent periphlebitis, a dense cord is felt along the course of the vein. There is no inflammatory edema or pain. Pressing the central end of the vein entails the expansion of its peripheral section, which quickly disappears after the cessation of pressure on the vein.

With purulent thrombophlebitis, diffuse, hot and painful inflammatory edema (phlegmon) is noted in the affected area. The inflamed vein cannot be palpated. When squeezing the central section of the vein with a finger, the affected area and its peripheral end are not filled with blood. The general condition of the animal is sharply disturbed: the general body temperature rises, depression, loss of appetite, venous hyperemia of the mucous membrane of the nose, mouth and conjunctiva, limited mobility of the head, and sometimes swelling of it.

In the future, one or more abscesses develop at the site of the lesion. With spontaneous opening of abscesses, fistulas are often formed with the release of pus and scraps of dead perivascular tissue.

In severe cases of the disease, a thrombus and the wall of the vessel itself are subjected to purulent fusion, followed by life-threatening bleeding; the inflammatory process captures the external and internal maxillary veins and spreads to the lymphatic duct, recurrent vagus and sympathetic nerve trunks; at the same time, inflammation in the lungs may be observed, which indicate metastases or general blood poisoning.

Diagnosis. Recognition of periphlebitis, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis of the jugular vein is not very difficult. It is established taking into account clinical signs and anamnestic data.

Forecast. With aseptic periphlebitis, phlebitis and thrombophlebitis, the prognosis is favorable, with purulent and purulent-necrotic processes - cautious.

Treatment. With aseptic periphlebitis and phlebitis, the use of local thermal procedures in the form of warming compresses, poultices, vaporization, paraffin and ozokerite applications, clay mud therapy, irradiation with solar lamps or infrared radiation, as well as the use of irritating ointments - camphor, ichthyol, iodine.

Good results can be obtained by using hirudotherapy. For this purpose, medical leeches (Hirudomedicinalis) are used, which secrete the enzyme hirudin from the salivary glands, which neutralizes the fibrinoenzyme, as a result of which the blood loses its clotting property. Clinical observations have also established that hirudin is able to dissolve a fibrin clot, it reduces spasm of the veins and irritation of the end of the sympathetic nerve, increases blood bactericidal activity and the biological activity of connective tissue cells. The therapeutic effect of leeches is expressed in a decrease in inflammatory swelling and soreness, a decrease in local and general body temperature, and the restoration of blood circulation in a vein as the thrombus resolves. With hirudotherapy, as a rule, there is no pulmonary embolism.

Before using leeches in the area of the affected area of the vein, the wool of the skin is shaved and moistened with a 10% aqueous solution of sugar so that the leeches stick better. Then, ordinary medical leeches are applied in pairs along the sides of the vein at a distance of 4-6 cm. Usually about 10 leeches are required. Each leech sucks 10-15 ml of blood, and then disappears. The bleeding that occurs in this case stops on its own. Repeated hirudotherapy is carried out after two days, if necessary. Infection at the site of application of leeches usually does not develop.

In case of purulent processes (phlegmon), it is recommended to make linear cuts in the skin and loose tissue without opening the vein itself. This helps to reduce the tension of edematous tissues, improve local blood circulation and remove toxic and tissue-melting products. Ultimately, further spread of the inflammatory process and tissue necrosis are prevented.

If an abscess has already matured in the perivascular tissue, its immediate opening is necessary.

In the case of purulent-necrotic thrombophlebitis, an immediate resection of the affected area of the vein is done, otherwise the possibility of the rapid development of pneumonia and sepsis is not ruled out.

Postoperative treatment is carried out according to the general rules of surgery. In order to avoid slipping of the ligature from the peripheral stump and overfilling of this section of the vein, the sick animal is given only liquid feed for 3-4 days.

In case of purulent and purulent-necrotic processes, rubbing irritating ointments and massage is prohibited, as this contributes to the spread of inflammation, and detached pieces of a blood clot can cause pulmonary capillary embolism and pneumonia.

In the LVI surgical clinic for acute aseptic and purulent phlebitis and periphlebitis with a good therapeutic effect, short novocaine and intravenous blockades are used in combination with antibiotics. A. N. Kornishin experimentally studied the effect of suprapleural novocaine blockade on venous collateral circulation in femoral vein thrombophlebitis in dogs.

In order to have a protective effect on the nervous system, he used a bilateral suprapleural novocaine blockade of the celiac nerves and sympathetic trunks according to the method of V.V. Mosin.

As a result of the research, the author came to the conclusion that suprapleural novocaine blockade of the celiac nerves and sympathetic trunks, as a method of protective action on the nervous system, has a beneficial effect on the course and outcome of acute thrombophlebitis of the femoral vein.

Preliminary novocainization of sympathetic innervation prevents the development of acute inflammatory phenomena, and the subsequent one has a good therapeutic effect in already developed thrombophlebitis. Suprapleural novocaine blockade relieves spasm of blood vessels, creates conditions for the development of venous collateral circulation, promotes the resorption of edema and the fastest recovery of limb dysfunction.

Thromboembolism- syndrome of acute circulatory disorders as a result of embolization (blockage) of the artery with a blood clot (thrombus).
Most often, thromboembolism occurs with extensive injuries, as a complication of abdominal and vascular operations (especially during operations on the pelvic cavity). But perhaps the most common reason is cardiomyopathy, chronic heart failure and renal failure.
Usually, the thrombus is localized in the area of the aortic bifurcation, along with this, embolization of the renal artery and pulmonary artery occurs.

Etiology and pathogenesis

The main reasons for the formation of a blood clot:

slowing down blood flow.
left atrial distension
atrial fibrillation
change or damage to the inner lining of the vessel
mechanical obstruction of the vascular bed
humoral disorders (release of thromboxanes, serotonin, histamine, kallikrinin, etc.)

The pathogenesis is based on two processes:

mechanical obstruction of blood vessels
humoral disorders (release of thromboxanes, serotonin, histonin, etc.)

As a result, a vicious circle is obtained: due to circulatory disorders in the area “below” thrombolysis, hypoxia (oxygen deficiency) and ischemia (blood supply deficiency) develop, and this, in turn, leads to the fact that damaged tissues emit a huge amount of biologically active substances (BAS). ), they also disrupt coagulation mechanisms, microcirculation and can lead to shock, coma and death.

Allocate
by volume:

massive
non-massive fuel cells

development:

sharp
subacute
recurrent.

With CHF and HCM, a number of mechanisms are launched to compensate for the failure of the circulatory system, but despite this, the following develops:

chronic tissue hypoxia
congestion develops in the liver, lungs, spleen
pressure rises
the regulation of the coagulation system is disrupted
remodeling of the vascular system. (expansion and compaction of blood vessels and chambers of the heart).

In such a state, any damaging factor can become the “last straw” (stress, inflammation, trauma, surgery). A thrombus enters the bloodstream and clogs the vessel.

Clinical signs

rise suddenly and very quickly. Cuts and paralysis of the pelvic limbs, a decrease in local temperature, and a pronounced pain syndrome are often noted. Shortness of breath develops, there may be pulmonary edema. In such a situation, it is important to deliver the animal to the clinic as soon as possible. The prognosis worsens with every lost hour.
The sooner a pathology can be detected, the better. If necessary, begin drug therapy or conduct routine diagnostic examinations.

Treatment

Treatment only in the intensive care unit!
In severe condition:

diuretics,
anesthesia,
thromboembolic therapy,
restorative therapy.
constant supply of oxygen

Further treatment depends on the cause and stage of the disease:

In all cases it is necessary

decreased physical activity
exclusion of stress factors.

There are methods of surgical treatment, but they are successful only if the embolization occurred no more than 12 hours ago, otherwise a huge amount of ischemic toxins accumulate and mechanical changes develop, all this does not give hope for optimistic results.