Thrombosis in a cat, cold hind legs, what to do

What are the normal paws of a cat?

It is quite difficult to answer this question with utmost accuracy, since the cat’s body temperature also changes during the day.
This is a completely normal physiological phenomenon. Domestic cats have soft paw pads with good sensitivity. A barn cat has coarser pads. This causes low susceptibility of nerve endings to the outside temperature. If we compare the temperature indicators of the pads with the temperature of the rest of the body, they are slightly lower than on its surface. But at the same time they are higher than the outside air temperature. A similar picture is observed almost throughout the day. After all, most of the day (18 hours) cats sleep or doze. Do not equate sleep with napping, during which the animal simply rests. But in a state of sleep, the cat’s body relaxes as much as possible. At this time, one can observe the predominance of processes of inhibition of higher nervous activity, a significant decrease in metabolic processes against the background of activation of the immune system.

It is known that immunity can influence the basic body temperature. This explains the fact that in a dream there is a slight increase in it. This phenomenon fits within the physiological norm.

Important! If a cat’s temperature decreases not only in its paws, but also in its entire body, then this is a reason to contact a veterinarian. There can be many reasons for this and only a doctor can determine it.

Should you measure your cat's body temperature?

Cold hind legs, ears and nose - this condition indicates that the animal’s overall body temperature has decreased.

If you feel that not only the paws, but the entire body of the animal has become noticeably colder than usual, be sure to measure the temperature. If the reading is below normal - 38 degrees, you should immediately contact your veterinarian.

In this case, you cannot waste time, because there can be many reasons for an abnormal decrease in a cat’s body temperature. Only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis and help your pet. Letting the situation take its course or self-medicating is unacceptable.

Causes of no concern

The animal body, that is, the human body, is characterized by the presence of thermoregulation. Suitable at a very young age. Ant. its imperfection cannot be observed, and in older cats its function is weakened. During periods of scale, it normally functions in a way that cannot be helped. Measures to correct it are usually not required. Thermoregulation is influenced by the speed of metabolic processes occurring in the body. As the breakdown of carbohydrates increases, the body's liquidus also increases.

The temperature indicators are also affected by the microclimate of the room in which the beloved is located. If it is cold where the cat is, then the temperature of its paws will drop.

Important! Breeds of cats whose pycnidia are devoid of hair cannot effectively protect the processes of normal thermoregulation. Where the cat is in its natural environment, in life) there are no negative temperatures

Therefore, such cats in a warm apartment need some kind of clothing.

Maybe the situation is the opposite. Excessive heat in the room and intense physical activity can cause the cat's paw pads to become cold. To this day this is understandable. The fact is that between the toes and paws of a cat there are sweat glands. Simply put, the bitch sweats due to her paws. Intense sweat leads to cooling of the pads.

If an animal has long hair, this phenomenon will only go away unnoticed. Sweat settles on the fur and does not cause cooling.

Non-hazardous reasons

Any animal survives using thermoregulation . This function does not work fully in kittens and older animals, but adult, healthy pets (usually) do not need help. Thermoregulation depends on the metabolic rate; the faster carbohydrates are broken down, the higher the body temperature.

If the room is cool and your cat is napping, her paw pads will be a little cooler than usual. This phenomenon is quite normal, considering that pet purrs are descended from wild animals that eat and sleep when they are lucky.

Note! Hairless cat breeds are not able to fully control thermoregulation. In the natural habitat of such animals there are no sub-zero temperatures, so even when living in a warm apartment, naked cats need to be clothed.

There is also the opposite option - heat and physical activity also lead to cooling of the paw pads . This happens because there are glands between the cat's toes that secrete fluid. Roughly speaking, a cat sweats its paws , the sweat evaporates and cools the skin. In long-haired pets, such phenomena are almost unnoticeable, since the liquid remains on the fur and practically does not cool the body.

Important! When a cat sleeps, it should have warm paws, especially the pads of its toes.

The cat's back legs suddenly stopped working, possible symptoms

If a cat's hind legs suddenly fail, the owner should do the following:

provide the animal with complete rest;
identify the obvious causes of the pathology (fall from height, collision with a car, etc.);
before visiting the veterinary institution, observe the pet and find out the presence of associated clinical signs;
When transporting an animal with injury or suspected thromboembolism, ensure immobility of the hind limbs.

In the event that a cat’s hind legs suddenly fail, a veterinarian, after examination, usually conducts an X-ray and neurological examination. If necessary, a sick cat undergoes an ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity, an ECG of the heart, and an MRI.

If a cat under one year old falls on its hind legs due to hip dysplasia, then it is necessary to pay attention to the diet, enriching it with vitamins and minerals. Veterinarians usually prescribe supplements with glucosamine and chondroetin

The substances have a positive effect by strengthening the cartilage tissue of the joints.

To prevent your cat from losing his hind legs, you should follow these recommendations:

Avoid injury to animals. Limiting self-walking, spaying and neutering significantly reduce the risk of trouble for pets.
Promptly treat against parasites, including ixodid ticks.
Follow the vaccination schedule.
Feed your cat, especially during pregnancy, a balanced diet.
Treat heart and kidney diseases.
Avoid obesity in animals.

Before treatment begins, veterinarians prescribe a comprehensive treatment, since only by identifying the exact root cause can it be effectively dealt with. To identify pathology, the following examinations are performed:

neurological examination and identification of reflex activity in the paw area;
x-ray of the lower spine;
Ultrasound of the abdominal organs;
if an infectious nature is suspected - bacterial culture;
standard urine and blood tests;
MRI of the spine and head;
checking the sensitivity of the limbs.

These tests are never prescribed separately. Depending on the clinical picture, the veterinarian refers the animal to several of them in order to confirm or exclude the most likely diseases. There is no time to carry out long-term diagnostics in case of limb failure.

A veterinarian explains why a cat’s back legs may fail: video

Once a specific pathology is determined, the specialist develops a treatment package. It may include the following techniques:

Surgical intervention. This is necessary for cardiomyopathy and spinal injuries. Such operations are carried out only in a hospital, where specialists monitor the cat’s condition for several days.
Most diseases are treated with medications in the form of injections, tablets, drops, gels, ointments, vitamins, etc.
Sometimes it is necessary to use orthopedic devices that help simulate walking. You can make them yourself or purchase ready-made goods.
In some cases, you cannot do without physiotherapy - acupuncture, myelostimulation, massages, etc.
At the time of treatment, the diet is important, which the veterinarian will tell you about.

It must be remembered that when the paws fail, not only the health, but also the life of the pet depends on the speed of the animal owner’s actions, so delay in this case is unacceptable.

Thromboembolism in cats: clinical signs and treatment methods

Heart disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats is a common cause of thromboembolism in cats.

This is due to the fact that HCM currently ranks first among cardiac pathologies in cats. It has been reported that males are more susceptible to developing ATE.

ATE may also develop in the presence of heart pathologies such as restrictive and dilated cardiomyopathy.

With these heart pathologies, dilatation (expansion) of the cavity of the left atrium, hypertrophy or dilatation of the left ventricle develops, which leads to circulatory failure and chronic tissue hypoxia.

Products of ischemic tissue damage enter the bloodstream, thereby activating the coagulation system, blood stasis, and increasing blood pressure.

All these factors lead to the formation of a blood clot; as a rule, the blood clot is localized in the cavity or appendage of the left atrium; the blood clot subsequently enters the aorta and leads to partial or complete blockage of the vessel. A common site of thrombosis is the trifurcation of the aorta, i.e. division of the vessel into three branches, causing ischemic tissue damage.

Echocardiographic study. HCM. Significant thickening of the left ventricular wall.

Treatment and prognosis

Prevention and treatment of animals with suspected thromboembolism involves the use of anticoagulant drugs (heparin, dalteparin, warfarin, aspirin, etc.) and the use of painkillers to reduce pain that occurs due to neuromyopathy. Surgical treatment is usually ineffective.

The prognosis for cats with thrombosis of the vessels of the extremities is cautious, often unfavorable. Most cats die early after thrombosis, or owners are forced to use euthanasia in order to relieve the animal from excruciating pain.

It is worth remembering that early diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), renal failure or thyroid pathologies allows for timely prevention of further thrombus formation.

Clinical picture of thromboembolism

Symptoms depend on the location of the process and which particular vessel is blocked by a thrombus. Aortic thromboembolism manifests itself in altered gait, lameness, paresis or paralysis of the hind legs. The muscles are hard and painful, the paw pads and the base of the claws are pale (no blood flow).

Other symptoms of thromboembolism:

renal arteries - vomiting, lower back pain, rapid increase in nitrogen metabolism products in the blood (renal dysfunction);
mesenteric arteries - acute abdominal pain of unclear localization, diarrhea, vomiting, stool mixed with blood;
brain – coma, seizures, dysfunction of the vestibular apparatus;
pulmonary artery - cough, weakness, breathing problems (superficial), severe cat anxiety, weak pulse, pale mucous membranes and swollen jugular veins.

Thromboembolism is a highly fatal disease in cats. In addition to the cessation of blood supply to organs and tissues, during ischemia there is an accumulation of toxins, which, when released into the blood, poison the body.

It is important to know! In thromboembolism, time plays an important role. The sooner the owner contacts the RosVet EC, the higher the chance of removing the blood clot, restoring blood flow and saving the cat. .

What should you do to warm your cat's paws?

As written above, your task is to determine the base body temperature and if it is normal, but the cat’s paws are still cold, you need to try to warm them. First, evaluate how warm it is in the home and how the pet behaves:

Does the cat walk on the floor or prefer to move on the top? The higher you go, the warmer the air. Perhaps your pet is freezing?

Perhaps the cat was moulting and the weather suddenly got colder - our pets are warmed by the undercoat, not the guard hair.

Does your pet climb into your bed to sleep? If so, she looks for additional sources of heat.

The best option is insulated with a thick backing. Recently, recommendations have appeared on forums about insulating houses with heat-insulating fabric. Yes, it doesn’t look very attractive, but you can’t lure cats out of their warm nests.

First of all, you should determine the cat's base body temperature. (otherwise the cat’s paws remain cold at normal levels, so you need to try to warm them up. You need to determine how hot the cat is in the room where she is. This can be done by monitoring the pet’s behavior:

The cat can scratch on the floor or selectively move along the top. In the second case, we can conclude that the cat’s gender is not warm enough. After all, the higher you go, the warmer the climate.
If there is a sharp cold snap, and the cat shed the day before, this may cause her paws to become cold. Whatever you say, it is not the fur that warms the cat, but the undercoat.
You can observe that sometimes a cat persistently asks to go to bed with its owner. This indicates that the pet is looking for additional sources of heat.

The most optimal action in this case is to insulate the cat’s house with a warm substrate. Now they have begun to give (transfer) to whose will (at whose discretion) to make it a heat-insulating sheet. Outwardly, it is not very presentable, but the cat will be warm and comfortable in such a house. When a cat sleeps in its house, its heat output is increased. If it's cold in her home, she may freeze in her sleep.

Causes of limb failure in cats

There are many reasons for mobility impairment in cats. It is almost impossible to independently determine what the hind legs gave up. An accurate diagnosis and correct treatment can only be prescribed by a veterinarian, after conducting the necessary tests and a full examination of the cat. Failure of a cat's hind legs is a reason for urgent action.

Experts identify many reasons why a cat’s hind legs fail. The cat's movement may become impaired for the following reasons.

Spinal injury in the lumbar region. It occurs more often in cats that roam freely on the street and may be hit by a car. There is also a high risk of such damage if the cat falls from a great height onto a hard surface. At home, spinal injury cannot be completely ruled out. With such an injury, in addition to the cat’s paws, the mobility of the tail is also impaired, since the lumbar spine, which is responsible for the mobility of the entire lower part of the body, is damaged. Possible general weakness.
Thromboembolism. A dangerous condition that occurs due to blockage of the femoral artery by a blood clot. In such a situation, the cat experiences acute pain in the lumbar region and therefore begins to bite this place strongly. She also meows loudly due to pain. At first, the paws do not completely fail, and the cat only drags them when moving. Soon, as the tissues become necrotic, the paws become completely paralyzed and become cold. If help is not provided to the cat in the next 2 hours, then in most cases the cat dies within 2-3 days. If the pet has received the necessary therapy, then it is even possible to completely restore the mobility of the limbs. It is impossible to start treatment on your own.

Spinal cord injury, traumatic and non-traumatic. With this disorder, the cat's paws are taken away and all sensitivity is lost. Gradually, if treatment is not started, the tissues begin to atrophy and completely lose their functions. Restoring paw mobility is not always possible, and in some cases the animal requires a stroller for normal movement. The device is attached to the animal in a special way, and the cat moves with its front paws, while the back of its body rides in a stroller. Hind legs raised.
Tick paralysis. A very dangerous disease that leads to 100% mortality if treatment is not started within 24 hours after the first symptoms of the disease appear. Pathology occurs when a cat is bitten by ixodid ticks, which produce special substances that poison the cat’s body. At first, the animal behaves extremely excitedly. Then apathy develops and paralysis sets in, and the paws fail. The cat trembles and reacts poorly to external stimuli. There is a chance to save the cat only if you start treating it at the moment of excitement. If the paws fail, it’s too late.
Inflammation of the spinal cord. Myelitis occurs due to infectious lesions, helminthic infestations, poisoning with heavy metal salts, injuries and autoimmune reactions. In such a situation, in addition to the fact that the paws fail, the cat experiences a general increase in temperature, urinary incontinence and digestive problems. If treatment begins immediately after the onset of symptoms of the disease, then restoring the mobility of the cat’s limbs is quite possible. In older animals, most often the restoration of mobility is not complete, but satisfactory.
Hip dysplasia. Large, heavy animals such as Maine Coons and Chartreux cats are prone to this disease. With this pathology, a violation occurs in the development of the joint. As a result, the cat experiences severe pain when moving, which causes the pet’s gait to change. The cat walks, weaving and placing its hind legs uncertainly, and tries not to jump. If sick animals have to jump onto a bench or chair, they often fall over on their side and meow because of the acute pain that arises. Treatment is only supportive.

If problems arise with the limbs, the cat should be immediately shown to a veterinarian. The most possible diagnosis is trauma. You need to find out in detail how to treat a cat’s paws from a veterinarian. The causes of paralysis in cats are varied and the owner needs to know about the main ones.

There are many diseases that can cause loss of a cat's hind legs. There are many reasons for this, once you identify them, you can begin treatment. To do this, the veterinarian carries out laboratory and instrumental diagnostic methods and a general examination. The prescribed therapy should be strictly adhered to, and self-medication should not be resorted to, since paralysis is dangerous for the cat.

Thromboembolism in cats: symptoms and treatment - CityVet, St. Petersburg

Arterial thromboembolism (ATE) develops due to the formation of a blood clot and blockage of arterial vessels. This is an acute condition that is accompanied by persistent tissue ischemia below the formation of the embolus. Thromboembolism is a complication of congestive heart failure.

Causes of thromboembolism in cats

Heart disease such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in cats is a common cause of thromboembolism in cats.

This is due to the fact that HCM currently ranks first among cardiac pathologies in cats. It has been reported that males are more susceptible to developing ATE.

ATE may also develop in the presence of heart pathologies such as restrictive and dilated cardiomyopathy.

With these heart pathologies, dilatation (expansion) of the cavity of the left atrium, hypertrophy or dilatation of the left ventricle develops, which leads to circulatory failure and chronic tissue hypoxia.

Products of ischemic tissue damage enter the bloodstream, thereby activating the coagulation system, blood stasis, and increasing blood pressure.

Echocardiographic study. HCM. Significant thickening of the left ventricular wall.

Symptoms of thromboembolism in cats

This pathology develops acutely and unexpectedly for animal owners. Thromboembolism is characterized by sharp pain, the cry of an animal, paresis or paralysis of the pelvic limbs. Less common are thrombosis of the brachial arteries and paralysis of the forelimbs.

The paws become cold, the paw pads turn white, this is due to a complete or partial cessation of blood supply to the tissues. The cat also has severe respiratory failure, shortness of breath, cyanosis (blueness) of the tongue, anemia (pallor) of the mucous membranes.

Diagnosis of thromboembolism in cats

If the symptoms described above are present, the veterinarian will evaluate the first 5 signs during a physical examination - pain, paresis/paralysis, a cold, pale limb and absence of pulse in the femoral or brachial artery. Thermometry is carried out, as a rule, hypothermia is observed, which leads to an unfavorable prognosis.

Next, auscultation is performed - shortness of breath and wheezing in the lungs are observed. Heart murmurs, gallop rhythm, arrhythmia.

Laboratory diagnosis - hyperglycemia, azotemia and hyperphosphatemia are observed. A sharp decrease in platelets and red blood cells due to coagulation.

X-ray – cardiomegaly, congestion, interstitial or alveolar pulmonary edema.

X-ray. Alveolar pulmonary edema.

Echocardiography - determines dilatation of the left atrium, the presence of a thrombus in the left atrium appendage or its cavity. Left ventricular hypertrophy/dilatation. Left ventricular systolic dysfunction. It is possible to identify a thrombus in the aorta using ultrasound.

Treatment of thromboembolism in cats

The first thing is to relieve the animal's pain. In addition, antioxidant and infusion therapy are used. Colloidal solutions (rheopolyglucins, dextrans), which help improve microcirculation, have detoxification, antiaggregation and anti-shock effects.

If the animal was admitted on the first day, from the onset of clinical signs of thromboembolism, thrombolytic therapy is justified. Use Streptokinase for 1-3 days. Streptokinase promotes activation of the fibrinolytic enzyme system, breaks down fibrin in blood clots, leading to thrombolysis.

Streptokinase – 15,000-25,000 units intravenously as a bolus in the first 30 minutes. Then a constant infusion of 5000-10000 units/hour.
Urokinase - 10,000 units bolus during the first 5 minutes, then 1000 units/kg/hour for 12-24 hours.
Altepase - 1-2 mg bolus, during the first 5 minutes, after 0.15 mg/kg/h for 30 minutes, 0.1 mg/kg in the next 60 minutes.

After thrombolytic therapy, they switch to heparin therapy. Unfractionated heparin is prescribed, which prevents further clot formation.

Dalteparin 100-200 units/kg subcutaneously for 12-24 hours.
Enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg subcutaneously for 12-24 hours.

After a week's course of thrombolytic therapy, they switch to oral use of antiplatelet agents. Aspirin and clopidogrel are prescribed for lifelong use.

Aspirin 5-40 mg/cat, every 72 hours, PO
Clopidogrel 18.75 mg/cat, every 24 hours, PO.

In addition to the entire treatment regimen, oxygen therapy, diuretics, and antiarrhythmics are used.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGTUvuThTyU

It is also important to remember that the animal must be under inpatient observation for the entire duration of treatment; a daily assessment of the general condition, laboratory diagnostics, assessment of blood clotting, hyperkalemia, and thermometry are carried out. The respiratory, cardiovascular systems, pain, and tactile sensitivity are controlled.

Surgery is possible but not recommended due to high mortality.

Forecast

Conventionally, cats with ATE can be divided into 3 groups, according to the severity of clinical symptoms.

Grade 1 – mild degree of tissue ischemia. Partial blockage of a vessel by a thrombus, compensated blood circulation. Stable general condition. The prognosis is rather favorable. Possible restoration of blood circulation in the affected limb.
Grade 2 – moderate degree of ischemia. Mono or paraparesis of the limbs is observed. Severe neurological disorders. The prognosis is acute; with timely treatment, complete restoration of blood circulation is possible.
3rd degree – severe degree of ischemia, gangrene. Paraparesis or tetraparesis is observed. Pronounced damage to the nervous system. High mortality rate. Death is usually observed in the first day.

Prevention

Prevention of thromboembolism in animals with cardiac diseases - the veterinarian prescribes antiplatelet therapy, the use of aspirin and clopidogrel. Also additional drugs that control blood pressure, heart rhythm, diuretics. Echocardiographic examination every 1-3 months.

Source: https://vetspb.ru/kardiologiya/tromboemboliya-u-koshek/

When is there no reason to worry?

Hot paws in a cat do not always indicate a developing disease. The body temperature of an animal is higher than that of a person, so this condition does not always indicate pathology and in most cases is considered natural.

You should also not worry too much after walking in cold or hot weather. The pads quickly warm up after being outside, and this state lasts for at least an hour.

The exception is a walk in severe frost, which threatens frostbite on sensitive and unprotected skin. In this case, it is recommended to carefully examine the animal and if there are signs of hypothermia (change in skin tone, increased anxiety of the pet, the appearance of blisters or peeling), immediately go to the veterinarian.

Cats may also have hot paws from childhood. This phenomenon is considered normal; you should not use any medications to reduce the temperature. If there are no other signs of disease, the animal feels great, does not complain of appetite, and there is no need to worry.

Possible ailments

Cold extremities can indicate a number of ailments that may occur slowly or even unnoticeably. To compile an anamnesis, you need to observe your pet for 3-4 days, recording changes in the temperature of the paws.

Cooling of the extremities after sterilization or after anesthesia used for other purposes is considered an absolutely normal phenomenon. Narcosis is a drug and the body is in a state of severe intoxication. Reduced body temperature protects the brain from the harmful effects of the chemical components of the drug. Even in the summer, after anesthesia, it is recommended to keep the cat on a heating pad until it comes to its senses and goes to a cooler place.

Poisoning by poison, gas or anything else is also accompanied by a decrease in temperature, salivation, pallor of the mucous membranes, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. Poisoning of the body with products of its own decay is also possible, for example, with diabetes or other metabolic and hormonal disorders.

Problems with the absorption of food also lead to a number of disorders, which are expressed by a decrease in the temperature of the extremities. If your pet is very thin and has cold paws, it may be worth getting a blood test done. It is likely that the cat has developed anemia, which will indicate a low red blood cell count.

Important! When platelet levels are high, blood flow in the extremities deteriorates, which leads to a decrease in their temperature.

In elderly or injured pets, the risk of blood flow problems increases dramatically. Too cold paws may be a sign of:

Internal bleeding - the limbs are not supplied with blood.
Paralysis due to a fracture or injury to the spine.
Shock, traumatic or painful.
Hypothermia - hypothermia.
Pre-coma or stuporous state.
Severe dehydration.

Important! One of the first reasons that a veterinarian should rule out is disorders in the heart, cardiovascular system and hematopoietic organs. Diagnosis is carried out by listening to the heart rhythm, if necessary, ultrasound and X-ray (with contrast) examination, and drawing blood for a detailed analysis.

Types of colors

The main types of coat color of the Abyssinian cat:

classic wild;
blue;
sorrel;
faun.

In addition to the four main colors included in the breed standard, there are other types of colors of Abyssinian cats:

lilac;
brown;
tortoiseshell;
black.

Black Abyssinian cats are spectacular and elegant. Despite the fact that this color is not included in the standard, they are popular.

In fact, the fur of these cats is dark chocolate or black-gray. The belly is lighter - gray or brown.

It is difficult for breeders to achieve the consolidation of black color in the color, because there are very few Abyssinians with black ticking.

Classic wild color

At first, this color was the only color standard for the Abyssinian cat breed. Today this is the most common and popular shade. It contains rich ocher, brown, and black tones.

Compliance with standards is determined by the following parameters:

ticking must be uniform, at least 3 segments;
the sides and back are painted a darker ocher-brown color than the lower part of the body;
the paws have black fringes;
a black stripe runs along the entire length of the ridge;
the nose is terracotta-colored, clearly defined;
eyes the color of gold, walnut, emerald.

Different degrees of shade intensity are allowed

It is important that no extraneous colors are mixed into the base ones.

Sorrel

Sorrel translated from English means “bay, red.” This color is warmer than the classic one; it is dominated by red shades of wool, the color of copper, apricot, and chocolate.

Characteristics:

the main ticking background can be of two types: dark chocolate or cinnamon color;
The presence of black hairs in the wool is unacceptable;
the tummy and paws are colored apricot on the inside;
dark stripe on the spine and tail;
the pale pink nose is outlined in red;
paw pads pink-beige;
eyes are the color of gold and copper, greenish or dark hazel shades are acceptable.

Blue

This type of color was approved relatively recently. The name of the suit was given by a delicate smoky blue tint. The combination of pearl, beige and slate gray shades in the ticking segments gives an unusual effect.

Standard requirements for an Abyssinian blue cat:

on the frontal part of the muzzle there is a pattern similar to the tails of a tailcoat;
on the lower part of the body from the chin to the tummy, the color of the coat is light beige and apricot tones;
along the ridge there is a narrow stripe of a tone more saturated than the main color with a pronounced bluish tint;
the nose is blue-gray or terracotta in color with a clear dark outline;
paw pads pale pink;
the undercoat should be lighter than the base color, but not whitish;
eyes are golden, copper in color, less often green or hazel.

Faun

Translated from English, faun means fawn. This is the rarest shade of the Abyssinian cat. The color is similar to sorrel, but less intense.

The exquisitely colored Abyssinian fawn cat is incredibly elegant. Thanks to her plasticity, she looks like a lioness and is graceful like a deer.

Color characteristics:

ticking with segments of coffee, cream, beige, chocolate with milk color;
along the spine to the tip of the tail there is a stripe of a rich pink-beige hue;
the undercoat is lighter and brighter than the main color;
the pink nose is outlined with a reddish outline;
the belly and paws are covered with gray-beige fur;
Eye color must comply with breed standards.

The owners of Abyssinians are firmly convinced that the character and temperament of a cat depends on its color:

wild ones are proud, independent and extremely intelligent;
sorrel - cheerful and perky;
fauns and blues are gentle and sensitive.

Causes of no concern

The temperature indicators are also affected by the microclimate of the room in which it is located. If it’s cold where the cat is, the temperature of her paws will drop.

Important! Cat breeds whose bodies are devoid of hair cannot effectively maintain normal thermoregulation processes. Where the cat is in its natural environment, there are never negative temperatures

Therefore, such cats, even in a warm apartment, need some kind of clothing.

The opposite situation may occur. Excessive heat indoors and intense physical activity can cause your cat's paw pads to become cold. All this is understandable. The fact is that between the toes of a cat's paws there are sweat glands. Simply put, a cat sweats through its paws. Intense sweat leads to cooling of the pads.

If the animal has long hair, then this phenomenon goes almost unnoticed. Sweat settles on the fur and does not cause cooling.

Characteristic symptoms and methods of treating thromboembolism in cats

Thromboembolism in cats is a syndrome of acute disturbance of blood flow in a pet, caused by the process of embolization (blockage) of an artery by a blood clot (thrombus).

According to experts, this disease accompanies extensive trauma in the animal, cardiomyopathy, as well as chronic heart and kidney failure.

The localization of the blood clot usually occurs in the 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 treatment methods.

general characteristics

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

A blood clot often develops in the left atrium, through which it can travel to the most distant parts of the aorta. As a result, a meowing friend may develop problems in the gastrointestinal tract, brain, kidneys, and also completely lose their hind or forelimbs.

Veterinarians note that thromboembolism can be arterial and venous. They differ in the location of the blood clot. Moreover, blood clots are even more common in veins. This occurs due to the speed of blood flow: in the artery it is very fast, and in the vein it is slow.

In addition, arterial vessels have a smooth intima (inner lining), 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 fine.

Causes

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

infection and sepsis;
poisoning of an animal 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 more often than others suffer from diseases of the cardiovascular system. Therefore, the formation of clots in 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 impaired and lameness appears.
Palpation of the hind legs may reveal paralysis of both legs. At the same time, the muscles on them become like stone.
The tailed fidget's paw pads are turning pale.
If a blood clot has blocked the renal arteries, the animal will begin to suffer from pain in the lumbar region and severe vomiting will occur. A blood test may show an increased content of nitrogenous metabolic products.
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 discharge. Palpation of the abdomen leads to painful reactions.
Coma, seizures reminiscent of 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 forms in the pulmonary artery, the pet will develop a severe cough and shortness of breath. The mucous membranes turn pale. The pulse becomes weak, and the jugular veins characteristically swell.

Data from statistical studies regarding the survival rate of pets who have developed thromboembolism are extremely disappointing. The presence of a blood clot is aggravated by the entry of ischemic toxins into the blood. Taken together, this leads to multiple development of pathological processes in the animal’s body.

Thromboembolism in cats can only be cured if detected early. A timely diagnosis by a qualified specialist and immediate treatment can minimize the damage caused by 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, identifying thromboembolism is not particularly difficult for a doctor. If the signs are not so characteristic, then a number of procedures will help determine an accurate diagnosis. These include:

Biochemical analysis of the animal’s blood, as well as an additional study of its clotting time.
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 normal.
Angiography is a procedure through which it is possible to identify pathologies in the functioning of an animal’s blood vessels.

Treatment of the disease

How effective the treatment of thromboembolism in cats will be directly depends on how quickly the owners contact the veterinary hospital.

If the process has not gone too far, the doctor will definitely try to restore normal blood flow in the animal. The most drastic, but also effective methods include surgery.

In this case, the veterinarian opens the aorta in order to free the duct and prevent the occurrence of ischemia.

It is important to understand that this disease itself is only a symptom. Therefore, a 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 remain in the vascular bed. The last step will be to prescribe thrombolytics to your pet - drugs that prevent the formation of blood clots.

The dose and intensity of 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 tries to “break” the clot using a catheter inserted into the vessel. The cat is under general anesthesia at this time. The procedure is very complex, and only an experienced veterinarian can perform it efficiently.

But even this does not provide a complete guarantee of recovery; a relapse can occur within 3-4 weeks.

In particularly advanced cases of thromboembolism, when the pet’s body has already undergone the process of tissue necrosis, the best solution would be to stop the pet’s suffering and euthanize it.

Preventive actions

As a result of research, veterinarians have found that the average life expectancy of a cat that has undergone surgery to remove a blood clot ranges from 3 months to 2 years.

Very rarely, but it happens that the pet returns to its normal life. True, this is the exception rather than the rule. Much more often, a furry friend remains disabled forever, having difficulty moving and meeting his natural needs.

Therefore, it is better to prevent the disease than to risk your pet’s health later.

There are no special preventive measures that will effectively protect a cat from 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 microelements get sick much less often. In addition, your cat should be vaccinated on time and given anthelmintic drugs.

Such measures will reduce the risk of blood clots developing in the animal’s vessels by a quarter.

Source: https://VeterinarGid.ru/cats/vet/tromboemboliya-u-koshek.html

What are the normal paws of a cat?

It is quite difficult to answer this question with utmost accuracy, since the cat’s body temperature also changes during the day. This is a completely normal physiological scene. Domestic cats have soft paw pads with good sensitivity. The yard scratch has rougher pads. This causes low vulnerability of nerve endings to the outside temperature.

If we compare the temperature numbers of the pads with the temperature of the rest of the body, then they are somewhat further than on its surface. But at the same time they are higher than the outside air temperature. A similar picture is observed almost all day long. After all, most of the day (18 hours) cats sleep or doze. You should not equate sleep with napping, during which the animal simply rests. But in a state of sleep, the cat’s device relaxes as much as possible. At this time, one can observe the primacy of the processes of inhibition of higher nervous activity, a significant decrease in metabolic processes against the background of activation of the immune system.

It is known that immunity can influence the basic body temperature. This explains that in a dream there is some increase in it. This phenomenon fits within the physiological norm.

Important! If the cat's temperature decreases not only in its paws, but also in its entire body, this is a reason to contact a veterinarian. There can be quite a lot of reasons for this and only a doctor can determine it.

What should a dog's paws look like?

It’s hard to say how cold a cat’s paw pads are because the pet’s body temperature can change by almost a degree during the day. Most cats' paws remain soft and sensitive even into adulthood. Animals that live outdoors have rougher paw pads, which means their nerve endings are not as sensitive to air temperature.

Normally, the paw pads are slightly cooler than the body, but hotter than the air . This situation persists for most of the day, since cats sleep or doze for up to 18 hours a day. It must be said that sleep and drowsiness are different states.

Reasons why a cat falls

Paralysis and paresis of the limbs can be associated with infectious and inflammatory lesions, impaired blood supply, spinal cord or brain injury. In this case, the animal will also experience other neurological symptoms (nystagmus, fainting, behavioral disturbances, different pupil sizes). If the spinal cord in the pelvic area is affected, the cat may have trouble urinating and defecating.

The cat's paws may begin to move apart, then the cat may fall over on its side due to tumors of the spinal cord. The same symptoms can occur with alimentary hyperparateriosis.

Muscle weakness can be caused by various myopathies (for example, caused by potassium deficiency), infectious diseases (viral infection, damage to protozoa). For example, muscle weakness is one of the earliest symptoms of botulism in a cat.

An animal may fall from exhaustion or as a result of heavy blood loss. Bleeding may be internal, so it is not immediately diagnosed. At the same time, the cat is lethargic, refuses food, falls asleep, its limbs are cold, the mucous membranes are bluish.

Ataxia (coordination disorders) can be congenital or acquired. There are several types of this disease in cats.

The main ones include:

vestibular;
cortical;
cerebellar;
sensitive.

With ataxia, the animal has a staggering gait, it places its paws uncertainly, as if it does not know where or how to lower the limb.

Prevention

When planning mating, it is recommended to check the health of the female and male. Adult cats should be protected from injury and poisoning. As a preventive measure, it is necessary to maintain a high level of immunity, monitor the quality of nutrition, and promptly treat viral and infectious diseases. If a kitten or adult cat exhibits symptoms of ataxia, you should not self-medicate or expect the condition to normalize on its own. Sometimes vestibular disorders can be the result of dangerous internal pathologies, the timely treatment of which affects prognosis and recovery.

Causes

You can talk about health problems in a situation where the cat’s paws suddenly become hot, and this was not preceded by prolonged exposure to high temperature or, conversely, cold (the pads then become very hot for 1-2 hours). In this case, it is worth examining his limbs. If a cat has had hot paws since childhood, then this phenomenon is normal and similar to what occurs in some people, when their hands are always hot, and even in severe frost they can walk without gloves.

The pathological reasons why a cat's paws become hot are:

Trauma - in this case, in addition to a local increase in temperature, there are also external manifestations. The main ones are swelling, the presence of a wound or hematoma, as well as acute pain in the paw, due to which the pet does not allow a full examination of it. The hind and forelimbs may be affected. A dog, even during play, if it is large, can damage the cat;
Stinging insect bite - just like in humans, when a cat is struck by a wasp or bee, a local increase in temperature occurs in the affected area. The paws are most often affected, causing them to become hot and swollen. Treatment is aimed at relieving swelling and allergic reactions, as well as disinfecting the wound. If there is no acute general allergy, the prognosis for the pet is favorable. A sign that just such a “disease” is occurring is a visible bite site. A veterinarian can easily diagnose such a problem;
Chemical irritation of the skin of the paws - this phenomenon can occur if, during a walk or at home, due to the carelessness of the owner, the animal stepped into a caustic chemical composition. In such a situation, the paw pads get burned and become inflamed, causing a local increase in temperature. With chemical damage, it also becomes noticeable that it is painful for the animal to stand on its paws. This condition does not last for a single day in a cat. The question of what treatment is needed is decided by the veterinarian;
Allergies – it is possible that the temperature of the paws may increase even at the moment when the food is changed. It appears in one or two days. In this case, as in humans, a skin reaction occurs, in which redness of individual areas of the skin is noted, followed by a local increase in temperature, which causes the paws to become hot. If you carefully examine the cat's body, local rashes will be found on it, similar to those observed with allergies in humans. Also in this situation, the cat often has hot ears and paws.

If the paws suddenly become hot, you should definitely show the animal to a specialist. Hot paws on a kitten may indicate that it is infected with worms.

Thromboembolism in cats and its causes and how to treat

Thromboembolism in cats is a pathology characterized by the formation of blood clots in blood vessels and accompanies many diseases.

The thrombus partially or completely blocks the vascular bed in small capillaries, medium renal, mesenteric, hepatic arteries, etc., as well as in large, main vessels - the aorta, pulmonary artery.

Poor blood flow, lack of nutrition and oxygen supply to cells leads to irreversible consequences, necrosis and cessation of the functioning of organs and systems.

Thromboembolism: what is it, causes and who is predisposed

There is no breed or age classification for thromboembolism in cats. Pathology can be found in both kittens and middle-aged and older animals. A disease of a polyetiological nature and the formation of blood clots may be associated with:

neoplasms of various origins;
vascular injuries;
penetration of enzymes, bacteria, etc. into the blood;
heavy bleeding;
poisons;
surgical interventions;
heart disease, etc.

To establish what exactly formed the basis of the disease is the primary task of the veterinarian at the RosVet VC.

Therefore, when a cat enters the clinic, a full examination of the animal is carried out, laboratory tests are done and an anamnesis is collected.

It is advisable for the owner to tell in detail what preceded the appearance of symptoms of thromboembolism, describe the cat’s behavior, whether or not there were injuries, surgeries, or poisoning.

Diagnostic measures

Pronounced clinical signs help to quickly make an actual diagnosis and begin treatment. In case of hidden or unclear manifestations, it will be necessary to conduct a series of studies to exclude similar pathologies.

Do:

blood chemistry;
ESR, blood clotting rate;
Ultrasound of the heart, ECG.

Using echocardiography, you can visualize the heart and its chambers, note the increase or decrease of the ventricles and atria, and assess myocardial contractility.

Angiography – x-ray of the heart, contrast study of blood vessels, a mandatory procedure if thromboembolism is suspected. Allows you to assess the functional state of blood vessels and the extent of the spread of the pathological process.

Prognosis for the disease

Thromboembolism is always secondary and is a complication of the underlying disease. Therefore, without eliminating it, one cannot actually expect a positive treatment result, even if the removal of the blood clot and stabilization of the cat were successful.

The animal is placed in the ICU, stress is minimized, rest is provided, diet is provided - all these measures increase the chance of a successful outcome and eliminate the consequences of the disease. With timely treatment and prompt treatment, the likelihood of death is reduced significantly and the prognosis for thromboembolism remains favorable.

If you notice atypical symptoms, the cat's behavior has changed, there are signs of respiratory failure, paralysis, etc. – don’t hesitate! Urgently call the RosVet EC by phone: +7 (495) 256-11-11, around the clock and bring your cat for examination and surgery.

Source: https://Ros-Vet.ru/koshki/tromboemboliya-u-koshek-prichiny-i-prognoz-po-zabolevaniyu/

Pathological conditions

Cold paws can also indicate a number of diseases or pathological conditions. Thus, persistent coldness of the extremities is observed:

In the postoperative period upon recovery from anesthesia. This is why veterinarians recommend keeping an unconscious cat on a heating pad even on a summer day.
Due to external or internal bleeding, since blood loss leads to a decrease in circulating blood volume.
When dehydrated. Severe diarrhea and vomiting can lead to disruption of the water-salt balance in the body and thickening of the blood. To stabilize the condition, urgent administration of saline solutions orally, subcutaneously or intravenously is necessary.
In case of poisoning. Severe intoxication may be accompanied by depression of brain and cardiac activity, salivation, pale gums, and indigestion.
For hypo- or hyperglycemia. A significant jump in blood glucose levels leads to various metabolic disorders and coma.
For exhaustion and anemia. If your cat looks gaunt and thin, then she may have problems digesting food. Vitamin deficiencies, problems with fermentation, anemia, and helminthiasis lead to such conditions.
For cardiovascular diseases, including congenital valvular malformations, vascular spasms, cardiomyopathy in old animals.
In the terminal stage of infectious diseases, when the body temperature drops and the activity of all systems declines.

It is the owner's duty to note any suspicious changes in the furry pet's condition and contact a veterinarian before it is too late.

Pathological conditions as a cause of cold paws

If a cat has cold paws, this may indicate the presence of a number of pathological conditions that may not even manifest themselves externally. A similar phenomenon can occur when a cat is poisoned with various poisons. A pet can also be poisoned by decay products in the body, which can be observed, for example, with diabetes, hormonal disorders and or pathologies associated with metabolic processes.

There may be problems associated with impaired absorption of food. If your pet has lost weight or has cold extremities, then this is a reason to contact a veterinary clinic for a blood test. Anemia, which can be identified by a decrease, may also be the cause. Other formed elements, on the contrary, can be increased. For example, an increase in platelets leads to poor blood flow, which can cause cold paws in a cat. Older cats are especially susceptible to this.

The reason why a cat's paws become cold can be internal bleeding, painful traumatic shock, or a condition associated with severe dehydration. Finally, this condition can be caused by heart problems.

All this is a reason to immediately visit a veterinarian. Only he can make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate therapeutic corrective measures.

The cat has dirty ears inside - why and what to do?

How does the condition manifest?

In cats, periods of increased activity are usually followed by apathy and drowsiness. It is difficult for owners to understand why and at what exact moments this happens. Therefore, a situation where a cat is lethargic, hardly eats and sleeps a lot, is alarming.

The owner should clearly know that poor appetite and less active behavior do not always indicate an illness in the animal. And the veterinarian is sometimes unable to understand why the cat is lethargic. The observations of an attentive and loving owner are extremely important here.

The main signs of cat health, in addition to good appetite and good spirits, are:

shiny and smooth coat;
pink and slightly moistened mucous membranes;
cold and slightly damp nose (normally, during sleep it can become warm and dry);
pulse, respiratory rate and temperature are within normal limits;
absence of excessive discharge from the eyes, ears and nose, plaque in the mouth, salivation and unpleasant odor from the mouth and ears.