I feel horrible. Could I have done more for my dying cat?

Question

I've never dealt with death of any sort. My cat had been sick lately, ever since something happened to his leg that caused him not to use it anymore. We took him to the vet; it didn't help much. He said it would probably go away on it's own. After that, my cat, Smokey, went downhill. He stopped cleaning himself and he lost a lot of weight. I tried buying canned cat-food instead of dry food. He ate much more of the canned food, and would actually get up and run over to it to eat it. I figured he might get better with this new food.

At about 1AM today, I went downstairs to get a drink, and heard him moaning. I went over to him and he was, I think, struggling to breathe. I didn't know what to do so I just sat there with him in disbelief petting him and talking to him. He died a few minutes later. And now, hours later, I wonder if I could have done more to maybe save him. It all happened so fast and now I feel responsible for his death. I'm heartbroken.

What do you guys think?

Answer 1

This sounds classic for cardiomyopathy. It is heart disease. Often the kitty seems just fine, then suddenly they are found with loss of use in any leg, most commonly both or one rear leg. This is called thrombolism, or "saddle thrombus". What happens is simple the heart has thrown a clot which has lodged in the artery, and causes paralysis of the legs. Most people initially think their cat has been injured, but really it the a part of the heart disease. The prognosis is poor once this happens. Sometimes, they can be treated through this, but it typically happens again within several months. There is no cure for the heart disease. There has been some success with treatments which brings the kitties more time.
I don't know why your vet would have told you that this would pass.
It is not surprising that you found you kitty the way you did-moaning and panting are very common when at the end stage just before they pass. I work at an emergency clinic, and I have seen this many times. It is the most horrible thing to see a cat go through, as you now know.
If this is what your kitty had, you could not have done anything to save him. Most people are not aware that their cat had heart disease until this happens, and it is too late.

Do some research on cardiomyopathy in cats. I think knowing what happened will help bring you closier. Also talk to your vet. Everything you described in your post sounds so classic of this. You didn't say how old your kitty was, but I have seen this in cats as young as 8 months, so age is no factor at all.

Answer 2

Oh sweet Derek what a horrifying thing that happened to your poor little pussy. Oh & how you were there at the last minute,& all the terrible things that happened to him prior! What a poor baby cat "Why didn't you take him to the vet for his leg in the beggining?
I'm sure you did everythig you possibly could have done so that no-one would know that your a demented cat killing son of a Bit**
So after you took Smokey, lets call him, to the vet, & the vet couldn't help, smokey went seriosly downhill to the point where one day? you were walking down the steps & happenend to notice him dying.
You touched hearts with this story.

How long do you think it would take before someone saw straight through you.
In your long oh I'm so sad please give me sympathy story, you only mentioned his name once.
What did the 'vet' you claim you took this Oh so sick cat because of a leg injury ( And How did that happen!!!) to say was wrong with him, you obviously paid good money for the vet to check him out, yet you know mothing about the 'We took him visit'? ....? or did people not see that bit get that bit as well.
You know why people are giving you love & sympathy -you pathetic, miserable excuse for a human life. Because you fooled them. But you don't fool me not for a minute.
You know that people are good & kind - in nature.
The likes of you make us look & sound silly.
But this time the jokes on you Pal!
There is a disease that you have it is a affection, needing sympathy disorder. The same one as mothers putting thier children in hospital after doing something to them when tey are too young to speak.
You better check in to a hospital before they come & get you Dereck.
I am going to read & re-read your files.
All of us are now HEARTBROKEN.
What do you think? I bet you feel HORRIBLE now.
There are more than names for people like you. I pray God gets you & shows mercy upon you because right now it will take some time beore I do.

Answer 3

Well Derek,I'm very sorry that your cat died but there isn't much you could have done except prey to god he would be ok . Other than that I really don't know anything else you could have done for poor smokey. But life is like a journey. Let me give you an example, lets say when some ones born they have to go on a journey to find a magical place. And in that journey you get hurt, you meet other people, you buy supplies, but in the end of the journey you find a magical place. There you meet all of the other people who love you and who went on this journey before you. All of the things that happen during the journey are one tiny step to getting to your destination. Your poor little cat Smokey was one of the steps and you don't have to worry about him ever again because he will be safe for millenniums up in the magical place called Heaven. You will see him again. You just have to wait. Good luck!

Answer 4

No, now that all is lost you can feel better knowing that you did what you could do. It sounds like you didn't think that it was too serious, and you comforted him when he died. He's happy now. Try reading this (I'm sure you've read it before).

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Answer 5

I think we all blame ourselves when a pet dies and question whether we could have done more and to be fair we always do everything we can for our animals. You are feeling excactly the same way as every animal lover who has had beloved pet die. You don't say how old Smokey was. Try to look at it this way..You were with Smokey when he died so he didn't die alone and thats a really important thing. You gave him comfort in his final minutes and no owner can do anymore than that.

Answer 6

I'm sure that you have done all that you could. I mean, you took him to the vet. The vet is the one that should be asking the question "Could I have done more?". And now you are the one suffering. Don't feel guilty. I am sure the cat lived a very nice happy life with you. Think of all the good times you had with him. Think of what you did for him as an owner. So don't feel guilty because I'm sure in the cat's life you have done many wonderful things for it. :]

Answer 7

I don't think that vet did right by you. I think he should have at least xrayed the cat or told you to bring him back if it didn't go away.
Cats tend to hide their illnesses. It's instinct. If you are hurt something bigger might eat you. This makes it hard for us to help them.
Owning a pet is an invitation to heartbreak because they do not live as long as we do. Nothing can be done about this.
There is alot of crappy verse out there about pet loss. This is about a dog but it's dignified and moving at the same time.
http://www.petloss.com/poems/maingrp/curate.htm

Answer 8

Its never easy when a pet passes away, especially due to tragic and unexpected circumstances. I have had many pets pass away. I had a boxer/lab mix named Keba, had her for 9 years but she had health problems and we had her euthanized. I cried the entire way to the vet office, the entire time i was there, the entire way home and the entire time she was being buried. I cried on and off all day for a few days. It was dreadfully painful. I also had a pregnant cat named Tameera, my dog at the time decided to maul her to death. I found a very gruesome scene. None of the babies could be saved and I was left cleaning up the "murder scene" absolutely horrendous. I again cried but also chased my dog around out of anger, then got rid of her. Just grieve the loss, but also keep your baby as first priority, a stressed out mother during pregnancy can be very unhealthy for the infant. I know it is hard but maybe getting another kitty, I know yours isnt replaceable but it may take the sharp edges off a little, make it a bit easier, animals are great to have around during times of greiving, they really help a lot.

Answer 9

I think that you did what any responsible person would do, you took the animal in for medical care,
you switched to a food he/she could better eat/ you went to the animal and held it in its darkest hour.
There is no reason to feel respnsible for this, evidently there was something wrong that wasn't easily recognizable by he Vet or you.
I believe that being there and caring was the best anyone could do, as fast as he died on you means that he wouldn't have made it to the Vets in time for help, you would have been on the phone, or in the car watching the road instead of having him in your arms.

Answer 10

I think that all of your feelings, including the guilt are all quite natural. We can become very attached to our pets and their loss can be deeply felt. I am sure that you did all you can to help your furry friend, but sometimes no matter what we try to do, we can't help what is inevitable. Try to remember the good memories you have and although it is a bit of a cliche 'time' does heal. We recently went through similar grief loosing one of our pets and it's not easy.

You may find some support and comfort at this site:
http://lightning-strike.com/forum/index.php?showforum=4

take care xx