Expert: Jessica - 4/14/2010

Question
HELLO FROM ENGLAND, JESSICA
FIRSTLY, THANK YOU FOR READING THIS.I'VE SPENT HOURS TONIGHT (15.4.10) TRYING TO FIND SOME ANSWERS AND I WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT.I KNOW YOU DON'T CHARGE, BUT I'M A HUGE ANIMAL FAN. I ALREADY WORK AT A VOL RESCUE CAT SANCTUARY, BUT INTEND TO PUT IN A FEW QUID JUST AS APPRECIATION FOR YOUR REPLY: THIS IS MY SITUATION: TWO WEEKS AGO MY DAD'S CAT BECAME LAME IN HIS BACK LEGS. WE RUSHED HIM TO THE VETS AND WERE TOLD THAT HE HAD A BLOODCLOT IN HIS BACK LEGS AND WOULD PROB. NOT LAST THE NIGHT. I'LL NEVER FORGET THE SIGHT OF THAT LITTLE BOY ON THAT TABLE. ANYWAY, MIRACOURAOUSLY, ACCORDING TO THE VET, HE SURVIVED, AND NOW HE IS ON A HALF TABLET OF WARFARIN EVERY DAY TO KEEP THE CLOT FROM COMING BACK. BUT HIS BEHAVIOUR HAS CHANGED: HE'S EATING FINE, BACK LEGS SEEM OK, BUT HE'S MORE ALOOF, WHERE ONCE HE WOULD FOLLOW MY FATHER UP EVERY NIGHT TO BED AND SNUGGLE UP WITH HIM. HE SEEMS LESS WILLING TO SNUGGLE, WANTS TO BE ALONE A LOT, BUT IS EATING VERY WELL. THIS MIGHT SEEM LIKE A DAFT SUGGGESTION TO YOU, BUT I THINK HE'S TRAUMATISED BY WHAT HE'S GONE THROUGH AND I'M TRYING TO PERSAUDE MY DAD THE SAME.  DO YOU THINK IT'S POSSIBLE THAT A CAT CAN ACTUALLY BE TRAUMATISED BY SUCH A HUGE PHYSICAL CHALLENGE, AND TAKE TIME TO GET OVER IT?  A HUMAN SURELY WOULD REACT THAT WAY, SO WHY WOULDN'T A CAT?

THANKS FOR WHATEVER TIME YOU GIVE THIS EMAIL.  CARRIE, NORFOLK, ENGLAND.

Answer
Hi Carrie.  I don't think you're daft at all - stress weighs on cats in very much the same way it weighs on people.  The thing is that most people miss the behavioral changes it causes in cats because they assume it's all just a cat going on in his aloof ways.  Few people pick up on the social withdrawal that we see in some friendly cats after they have come through a severe illness or injury.  I hope that as he continues to recover physically, his spirits will lift and he will find his way out of this depression.

It's important to remember that blood clots usually form secondary to a heart condition, usually Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.  Potentially, he is less active and more withdrawn because he is suffering more severely from his cardiac condition now.  When heart problems become more pronounced, it can lead to Cardiac Dysrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) and Congestive Heart Failure, where fluid surrounds the heart.  If the kitty loses appetite, becomes markedly lethargic, or his breathing pattern seems to change, your dad should have him back to the vet in case his condition has progressed to one of these more serious situations.  He will require additional medications to manage his health.

As a final thought, a saddle thrombus, as these blood clots are called, is an extremely painful condition as a general rule.  It's possible the poor kitty is still feeling quite a bit of inflammation in his hind quarters and isn't feeling quite up to his usual round of activity.  Plenty of rest and relaxation is deserved!  

I hope he recovers nicely and that all is back to normal in another few weeks.  Best of luck!

Jessica