How did my cat die?

Question

I am totally devistated as I found my 4 year old cat Bagpuss dead in my back garden on Monday afternoon. She was soaking wet and her fur was all matted, covered in twigs and leafs. I didn't even recognise her as my cat. Her body was rigid, eyes lolling in the back of her head and had a growling expression on her face. She had no external injuries only a small wound under a bald patch of hair. I can't get closure on this as the vet said he did not have the facilities to do an autopsy so I don't know how she died and I keep wondering if I could have saved her had I got there in time. Could this be a case of poisoning? I can't sleep or eat and I'm constantly crying as she was my little baby as well as being the only little pet I've owned. I'm so heartbroken because I don't have any answers about her death. Has anyone else found their cat like this and know what they died of?

Answer 1

No, that's never happened to me but I wanted to say how sorry I am that your baby passed on. I know you want closure but at least be thankful that she's not in pain now.

Answer 2

I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved family member. As bad as I hate to say it, it sounds like poisoning. The "growling" expression was probably a grimace from her tummy hurting. People these days are sometimes so heartless. Release yourself of guilt, there's no way anyone can be around to watch their pet 24/7. I can truly empathize. I've lost a cat under similar circumstances. Swore I'd never ever get another cat, but went to the Animal Shelter for the whole day to sit & play with each one. I took home the best 3 yr old who'd belonged to an elderly lady & Lindy (cat) was the perfect lap cat. My condolences again. Now just keep all the wonderful memories alive in your heart. Display a photo of your baby, you'd be surprised at the comfort it brings.

Answer 3

Most vets do not have the time or facilities to do a full necropsy, often you have to send the body to a pathology laboratory. And that is quite expensive- $200 easily. Yes, poisoning (intentional or accidental) could cause this, and poison is hard to prove-you usually need to have an idea of WHAT poison it was to find evidence of it. Antifreeze and pesticides are the most common causes of accidental poisoning. It also could have been hit by a car, sometimes it's hard to see injuries like that. And there is also always the possibility that she had caught a contagious disease, cats are quite good at hiding illnesses.

Do not beat yourself up about this, there's no way you could have known she was in the garden. I am sorry for your loss.

Answer 4

Evelyn, I'm very sorry to hear about your loss. I had several pets of my own, and it was devastating every time one of them passed. I know how you feel, and can only imagine how it must feel to be without a clue.
I'm sorry to say it, but this sounds like foulplay to me. Maybe someone was abusing her, or trying to drown her, etc. If you still have the body, maybe you can take it to a vet who does have the facilities for an autopsy to find out exactly what happened. I would were I in your shoes. Whatever you do, be sure to get her cremated afterward, so you'll always have her around, otherwise she'll be cremated with several other animals at once, and you'll never see her again. To this day I wish I had known that when my very first dog died. I hope this helps you.

Answer 5

We had a kitty that had started going outdoors for maybe 6 months. One morning when it was time to bring her in, she was dragging her back legs and not walking. We rushed her to the emergency clinic and they gave her IV fluids etc. They think she was likely bitten by a brown recluse spider. On Monday morning after spending the weekend in the emergency clinic, we had to bring her to our regular vet to determine the path forward. The emergency clinic suggested that she might lose a leg, but would live. She was a Siamese and by the time we got to our regular vet a 1/2 hour car ride her blue eyes had turned yellow. The doctor said that this was a sign that the necrotic poison of the spider had hit her liver and she was dying. We tried everything and spent a lot of money, but all we ended up doing was make her death prolonged and painful. From the sounds of it it could be that your cat was bitten by a deadly spider (deadly when you weigh less than 20 lbs). You may count yourself lucky that you did not find her in time to make her death last several days. I am sorry, but all of the knowledge of what might have happened will never bring her back. Take solace in the fact that her death was pretty quick.

Answer 6

I'm so sorry for your loss. I know what you mean when you say your cat was your baby. My cat is the first pet I've ever had and I pamper her like crazy. I've never heard of this before, but it sounds to me like it may have been a disease or something. I have heard of cats having seizures and dying before. Either way, I hope you get some closure and when you're ready for a new pet, go to an animal shelter to pick one out. That way you know you saved an animal even if you couldn't do anything about your cat. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

Sorry about your loss. It sounds like she may have been hit by a car and tossed into your yard. I say this because of the eye position and the wound with the bald spot. Nothing replaces a lost pet, so may I suggest you make a donation to an animal spay and neuter clinic in Bagpuss' name?

Answer 8

Its sounds like poisoning ...
If yur vet couldnt do an autopsy you should try a different vet.
check out rainbow bridge on the net - it should give you some help psyhologically.
How about a memorial in her name - make a little flower garden and put a plaq with her picture on it in the center

Answer 9

I"m sorry, I didn't find my cat dead like that but I recently lost mine to cancer. It was the most difficult thing in my life to do but Goliath was suffering and I had to love him enough to let him go. I would have been devastated too if I would have come home and found my baby gone like that. To me it sounds like either she was bit by something poisonous or that he was poisoned by a cruel neighbor. Since there were no markings of a fight, thats the only conclussion I see.

Answer 10

I have NEVER heard of a vet that doesn't have the facility to do a necropsy (autopsy), you need to get another vet. Sounds like your cat was killed by someone and the ONLY way to prevent this is to keep your cat indoors always were it is SAFE!
Your cat depends on you to keep it safe and if you cannot keep it indoors where it is safe you should not have a pet.