Cardiogenic arterial thromboembolism resulting in tetraplegia in a cat

A 4‐year‐old male neutered domestic shorthaired cat was presented for acute onset tetraplegia and respiratory signs. No pulses were palpable in any limb, and nociception was absent–all limbs were cold, and digital, metacarpal and metatarsal pads were cyanotic. Point‐of‐care ultrasound of the heart revealed severe left atrial enlargement, containing several large thrombi. Due to concerns for quality of life, euthanasia was elected. Postmortem findings revealed marked left atrial enlargement with thrombi filling the entire atrium, as well as emboli in both subclavian arteries and the abdominal aorta.