My male cat was 12 years old and passed away last Thursday. He was 12 pounds but a big long-haired cat. I loved him so much. He loved to eat, play, talk (meow) and was active and happy. He did not have any health problems. On occassion, he would cough but would only last about a minute and then he would be fine. His doctor said it was a mild cough but he was healthy. I came home and he ate, played, then ran by me to sleep next to me. Within 2 minutes he passed away in my arms. His food was fine and he was still eating (I was careful with his food due to the recall). How can a cat die so suddenly with no symtoms of anything? The doctor said it may have been a blood clot or heart problem. I am heartbroken and want answers. Can anyone please help me?
2007-05-15 08:13:35 · 21 answers · asked by Xerxes32 2 in Pets ➔ Cats
I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Maybe you'll never know what happened, but be thankful that it was quick and that you were with him in the end. He might not have known it was coming, and sometimes it just happens quick and unexpected like that.
I had a kitty that was 14.5 yrs old and one day she couldn't move any more. It was no more than a couple hours of suffering for her thankfully but it was still hard at the end.
Someday, when you're ready, honor his memory by bringing another one home to share the love with.
Best wishes.
2007-05-15 14:35:55 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am heartbroken for you. I have no answers except that it does sound like what the doctor said. A blood clot or heart failure can happen in an instant and the coughing could have been a sign of congestive heart failure but the only way you can know for sure would be with an autopsy which is something you may not be able to have done. There are no amount of words that can be said to ease your grief except that my heart goes out to you. Try to console yourself with the thought that you were a great pet parent and he was happy up to the end. You both knew you loved each other and that's what truly counts.
2007-05-15 08:28:15 · answer #2 · answered by Catlover 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Sorry for your loss, I know how badly it hurts to lose your best friend. First thing I thought of is the food problem, but you don't think that is it. They are coming up with more foods to put on the list everyday. My friend buys whatever is on sale at the time when she goes shopping for cat food, and I always tell her she needs to be careful and get her animals set on something. If it wasn't the food then it could've been heart failure just like humans have massive coronaries. Or it could have been a blood clot which happens quickly as well. Go out and adopt another cat who will become your best friend. There are so many animals who are scheduled to be euthanized for no good reason other than no one wants them.
2007-05-15 08:46:45 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
How terribly sad! I'm so sorry for your loss.
I would tend to agree with what the vet suggested - sometimes an animal can die very suddenly from a hidden heart problem or clot. I lost a young, healthy dog in a very similar manner a few years ago - she was happy, healthy, well-cared for, and playful that afternoon, and then died suddenly without any symptoms in her sleep that night. My vet told me the same thing your vet told you.
It's heartbreaking to lose a pet so suddenly, but I hope you can take some small comfort in knowing that he didn't suffer at all, and that you gave him a good, loving home for the precious time that you had with him.
My thoughts are with you.
2007-05-15 08:23:04 · answer #4 · answered by Bess2002 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My condolences for your lose. I lost one of my favorite cats a couple of months ago. I don't care what the Pet Food Industry says. They killed my cat. I already had my cat cremated before I knew about the recall. Unfortunately we were using food on the recall list and my cat was healthy all the way up until about 2 weeks before he passed away. They still have not isolated all the bad food. I had a friend send me a new list just yesterday of food they are still pulling off the shelves. I think it is a crime that thousands of pets died and the industry only acknowledges 16 deaths. I honestly would look towards the cat food as being the source of your lose. It may yet show up on a recall list. It is scary buying food for my remaining cats not knowing if I am poisoning them or not. I hope to god I'm not, but I have little choice but to feed them what is currently deemed safe. I feel for your lose and if you get another cat in the future. Please consider adoption for the local pound or a rescue center. - Mark
2007-05-15 08:23:39 · answer #5 · answered by Mark67 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
With the coughing, it sounds like it very well might have been a heart problem. Sometimes animals can be born with heart defects, and it's not discovered until much later, or unfortunately after you lose them. This often comes up as they get older, and their body is no longer able to compensate for the problem. We just recently lost our big black cat (he had just turned 2), too, so I really feel for you. My husband and I both cried when we found him by his favorite scratching post, and our remaining cat still calls out looking for him in the house.
If you really want concrete answers, ask your vet about doing a necropsy on him, and seeing what he can find. Keep in mind that some veterinarians don't return the body to you after this procedure, so be sure to ask about that. If you've already buried/cremated him, then you'll never really know for sure, but I'm sure he knew how much you loved him. One of my favorite poems at times like this is "Rainbow Bridge". It always brings tears to my eyes and happy memories of beloved pets to my mind.
2007-05-15 08:27:42 · answer #6 · answered by Souris 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry for your loss. It could have been many things, probably his heart. A cough can be indicative of congestive heart failure or an enlarged heart, and also heartworm which is not as common in cats as it is dogs. 12 years is a good long life for a housecat. Every critter has to die someday and as far as your kitty goes be relieved that he died a peaceful death in the comfort of your arms, with a full belly, and memories of you in his head. He did not suffer a long illness or die alone, as some animals do.
2007-05-15 08:26:45 · answer #7 · answered by Sandy Sandals 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
first off i am SO sorry to hear that!! i know how heartbreaking it is to lose a best friend like that!! now to answer your question; your vet is right; it very well could have been a blood clot or heart issue; ive heard they can be hard to detect; im not sure maybe it also could have been a stroke? IMO, 12 isnt very old, so i wouldnt say it was even old age; my cat passed away with no health problems and was very sudden as yours was, however, she was 17. good luck finding more answers, and again, im sorry to hear of your loss!
2007-05-15 08:19:52 · answer #8 · answered by Sarah M 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Hey Playtime, give the poor girl a break!! Yes, war is a bad thing, but what does that have to do with price of eggs here?? Losing a loved pet can be extremely saddening and I know how she feels. SO BACK OFF!!! Anyway, to the poor girl who lost her cat baby, I am so sorry! Its a really sad thing. Cats are just like people and sometimes they die unexpectedly. I had a puppy that i came home to find dead one day after work, he got tangled up in some computer wires and strangled himself. It was so horrible, so i know exactly how you feel. The only thing that will help you is time, I know that sounds cliche'd, but its true. In time, you will heal and possibly find a new kitty to love.
2007-05-15 08:43:23 · answer #9 · answered by Mollyruby 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
If your vet could not tell you what happened, you certainly are not going to find an answer here from strangers who can only speculate. If you want to find out that badly, pay to have an autopsy performed. Otherwise, just be comforted to know that your beloved friend had a happy, wonderful 12 years thanks to you. They don't live forever. That's the hardest part of having a pet that you love is knowing that they will not live as long as you and one day you will have to say good bye. My 18-yr. old dog died and that was so hard to get over. But, I know he had a good life with me. I rescued him from drug dealers who abused him as a puppy. Who knows what his life would have been like if I did not step in. (I stole him in the middle of the night from these evil monsters after watching them kick him in the face more than once...he was 4 months old.)
You can't bring him back, so say a prayer and know that he is in kitty heaven. Sorry for your loss.
2007-05-15 08:30:01 · answer #10 · answered by eriqak 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋