Qualitative study by SCAT using chart data of 22 cats suspected to have thromboembolism

Abstract

Since the prognosis of cats with thromboembolism (TE) is poor, appropriate assessment by veterinary nurses is important. Using chart data from 22 cats brought to our hospital with suspected or definitively diagnosed TE, 8 segments and 36 levels were extracted from 12 codes of clinical signs and profiles using the Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT) method, and multivariate analysis was performed from a cross-tabulation table. As a result, associations were observed in the following groups: [time of onset <24 h, cardiac troponin (cTnI), creatine kinase (CK), all purebred, castrated male, >11 years, 6–10 years], [purebred (American short hair/Munchkin), castrated male, acute, time of onset <24 h, tachypnea, limb coldness], [acute, all purebred, white hair, middle-aged to old castrated male, tachypnea, limb coldness], [acute, tachypnea, limb coldness, complete paralysis of bilateral hind limbs, incomplete paralysis of hind limbs, blood flow disturbance of hind limbs], [time of onset <24 h, cTnI, CK, all purebred, castrated male, >11 years, 6-10 years], [ X-ray, ultrasound, CT, cTnI]. Associations were therefore observed in the following items related to TE worth noting: [purebred (American short hair/Munchkin); middle-aged to old castrated male; white hair; time of onset <24 h; tachypnea; limb coldness; cTnI; and CK].