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Use of aspirin on cat with possible blood-clot in heart. Veterinarian help please?
Last night (Dec. 24th 6:30pm) I was at the top of my stairs when I heard a thump on them. My cat came into the room dragging his back left leg. It appeared he had little to no control over it, and that there was some sort of circulation problem (The pads on the bottom of his feet were lacking colour in comparison to his others, and whenever he tried to move he dragged the foot. He was in discomfort/pain but was not crying out), and his ears were very red and hot.
I took him to the emergency vet clinic 45 min away, which was the only one open and it was the first time I have taken him there. After telling the clinic vet our regular veterinarian had previously said my cat seemed to have an irregular heart beat, but was unable to be certain of this without tests due to my cats heavy breathing, the clinic vet listened and said he is almost certain the cause is a blood-clot in his heart, and that part had broken off thus clotting his leg.
He said they hadn’t the equipment to confirm this, and that the blood-clot could kill him at any point, or he could live years still. He prescribed one 81mg pill of human aspirin every 1-2 days, and the pain medication (Tramadol) one pill (21mg) twice per day as needed. He also recommended we go to our reg vet asap, and until then take him home.
My concerns are as follows: I’ve read regular aspirin is extremely toxic to cats even in small amounts, and has not been official approved for use on cats. The vet gave my cat a narcotic of some sort when we first came in to calm him and ease pain/discomfort (not positive but it may have started with an N) My cat was unaware and "out of it" for about 8 hours following the injection, and I was only able to get him to eat a small amount of wet food with water added to it throughout the night, and he didn’t get to sleep until 2AM. Come 7:30AM Dec 25th the effects of the narcotic wore off and he was eating regularly, and acting normal. Still no use of his leg though and he hadn’t used the litter. At 10 am he ate some more wet food, and got up by himself to take a pee in the nearby litter box. The pads on the bottom of his feet are now the same colour as his others, and it appears he has some control and movement in it. We have yet to give him any pain killers or aspirin yet (10:40 AM dec 25th) and he appears to be resting comfortably, without much sign of pain (perhaps discomfort).
I am not sure if I trust the vet who was at the clinic, he came off arrogant and careless. I would much prefer to wait on medicating my cat until getting to my regular vet who has his records, and the appropriate equipment to diagnose or treat him. I would appreciate a second opinion, because my vet doesn’t open until the upcoming Monday.
My cat is hovering around 18-20 pounds, and is fairly large for a cat. This is still several pounds overweight for him though, according to both the vets. He has always been a weird/heavy breather and snored in his sleep, and our regular vet said that that could be impairing her ability to properly hear his heart.
@R P cat: can I ask what sort of credentials or experience you have? Also, the vet said he doesn’t need to be hospitalized, so should I give him the dose of aspirin without vet supervision? Will it have an immediate important effect or would I still be able to wait until my vet opens?
Cats under the supervision of a vet can take the aspirin. If you do wait you may and can loose your cat. You did the right thing. The ER will fax over to your vet what had happened and what was done for your cat. I would call your vet first thing Saturday morning and see if they are open, mine is. And get him in there. I know you didn’t like the ER vet but he did save your cat’s life. He may have been arrogant but how was he careless? He did what was needed to keep your cat alive, till you can get to your vet. Then talk to your vet about the other one. But right now your cat is resting comfortably and all paw pads look normal. If you waited the one may have had to be removed due to lack of blood flow. Good luck with your baby!
R P CAT
R P Cat | Dec 25, 2009
Usually pets are prescribed buffered aspirin because it is easier on their systems than regular aspirin. Some medicines used for pain in humans are extremely toxic in cats, and people just usually say all are in a "better safe than sorry" mentality.
Your vet told you to give your cat aspirin for his heart condition, I would do exactly as he says until you can get to your regular vet. You will probably get to your regular vet before you even have to give him a second dose (depending on when your vet told you to start) assuming that you get him checked out on Monday. Aspirin isn’t something I would necessarily want to use long term if it can be prevented.
Being overweight can make it difficult to hear his heart, but it can also be making his heart strain more than it has too. After you get him sorted out from this episode, you may want to put him on a diet.
I know how awful it is to hear that your pet may die tomorrow or may live many years. My vet told me that many cats that have my cat’s disorder die of an aortic rupture, but he couldn’t give me any idea of how long she would actually live. She’s only 1.25 yrs old.
add: Vet supervision means that your vet told you to administer a certain dosage of the drug. Without vet supervision, means that you are doing it without the consent or knowledge of your veterinarian.
Shadow | Dec 25, 2009
Yes, aspirin is toxic to cats, but when a low dose aspirin is given under the directions of a vet, it can be effective. When aspirin is given by people without directions from a vet, often they give too high of a dose too often, with tragic results.
As far as the Tramadol, that may be your decision on pain medication. It is an opiate, and that can carry with it its own set of complications.
cat lover | Dec 25, 2009
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