Intracranial infarcts in two cats with suspected thoracic limb and pulmonary neoplasia

Abstract

Cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) or strokes are now widely accepted to occur in cats and dogs and may occur following either intracranial blood vessel rupture (haemorrhagic) or occlusion (ischaemic). Neoplasia is a well-recognised cause of ischaemic CVAs in human beings and a link between neoplasia and ischaemic CVA has been suggested within veterinary medicine. Two cats presented with acute-onset, non-progressive, non-painful intracranial neurological signs, with historical thoracic limb lameness. MRI findings were consistent with ischaemic CVAs affecting the cerebellum and thalamus in cat 1 and the thalamus in cat 2. Neurological signs of both cats improved initially, although subsequently both cats became increasingly lame and further investigation identified neoplastic disease involving the lungs and at least one thoracic limb. These cases provide further evidence for a potential link between neoplastic disease and ischaemic CVAs. It is recommended that cats presenting with ischaemic CVAs undergo further diagnostic investigation for evidence of neoplasia, metabolic disease and cardiac diseases.