Skip to main content

Pet Insurance policies are underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company.

Figo Pet Insurance Logo
  • Pet Insurance
    • Dog Insurance
    • Cat Insurance
    • Coverage
    • Compare
    • FAQs
  • Pet Cloud
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
Get a Quote
Figo logo

  • Login
  • Dog Insurance
  • Careers
  • Found a lost Figo pet?
  • About Us
  • Cat Insurance
  • Blog
  • FAQs
  • Employers
  • Veterinarians
  • Compare
  • Maine Residents
  • California Privacy

Subscribe to our newsletter

  • Instagram logo
  • facebook
  • tiktok
  • Twitter

No one is permitted to sell, solicit or negotiate an insurance policy without a producer license in the state in which the plan is sold, and all prospects should be directed to Figo Pet Insurance. The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions (including pre-existing conditions), and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state’s approval and coverage may vary by state. Coverage underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company (IAIC), a Delaware Insurance Company, 11333 North Scottsdale Road Suite 160 Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Live Vet and the Figo Pet Cloud are separate non-insurance services unaffiliated with IAIC. Figo Pet Insurance's California license number is 0K02763.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Terms of Use & Licensing
  • Insurance Fraud Warnings
  • Underwriting

Copyright © 2015-2023 Figo Pet Insurance LLC. All rights reserved

Heart disease in cats

September 13, 2018

In cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, there’s risk of saddle thrombosis. Dr. Lee discusses this emergency condition and symptoms, such as hind leg dragging in cats.

Heart disease in cats

Q: During our cat’s last wellness visit, the veterinarian detected a heart murmur he hadn’t heard in the past. He recommended Gus, our 5-year-old cat, see a veterinary cardiologist, but we can’t afford that.

Our vet is concerned that Gus may have a type of heart disease called HCM and throw a clot that would cause a problem with his hind legs. How will we know if this happens?

A: HCM, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, the most common heart condition in cats, is associated with thromboembolism.

A thromboembolism is a blood clot that forms in the heart and travels through the blood vessels. In Greek, “thrombo-“ means clot, and “-embolism” means “to throw in.”

In cats, the clot often lodges at the junction where the blood vessels branch into the rear legs. Because of the location, this clot is called a saddle thromboembolism. It blocks blood flow to both back legs, although sometimes one leg is more severely affected than the other. The lack of blood results in pain and diminished muscle function.

If Gus develops a saddle thromboembolism, he won’t be able to walk on his back legs and he’ll cry in pain. His hind paws will be cooler than his front paws, and his hind pads will be paler than his front pads.

This condition is so painful that it is essential to get Gus to your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately. Successful treatment of saddle thromboembolism is rare, so you should be prepared to make a difficult decision.


Lee Pickett, V.M.D. practices companion animal medicine. Contact her at askdrlee@insurefigo.com.