why didnt Orange survive?

Question

My 17 year old male orange marmalaide tabby died August 28. He had been taking Tapozole for his hyper thyroid for about 2 years. Two weeks prior to having to put him down the vet gave him 3 baths to rid him of a massive flea infestation. That day when I brought him home he was a completely different cat. He was very skinney, had become extremely week and jumping up onto the couch, his balance were obviously different. He stopped cleaning himself. He stopped talking.The vet said he was anemic. They told me that they had bathed him 3 times that day. During the next two weeks Orange had a good, normal appetite and drank tons of water. As time passed he became weaker and one morning while observing him talking a poop, he just fell over onto his side and lay there during his bal-movement. I helped him to finish, I picked him up and cleaned him. He always bounced back from everything else, so I had hope. He was put to sleep just hours after all this. WHY? I am severely truamatized and depressed. Did I do the wrong thing.

Answer 1

17 is pretty old in a cat. It's about 80 in human years. The symptoms sound like kidney failure, which is the most common cause of death in old cats. Nothing you can do about that. We had to put a kitty down last year due to kidney failure, he probably would have died very soon after that if we didn't. But he got skinny and constipated, had issues for about a year with the failure coming on slowly. Sounds like your cat's passing was quicker, which is probably better for the cat, but hard on you.

I am sorry you lost your beloved companion. It sounds like you loved him and he had a happy 17 years. There should be more pet owners like you willing to do what it takes to keep a healthy happy companion.

Answer 2

No, you did not do the wrong thing! You helped your Orange gently and peacefully cross the Rainbow Bridge.

I just had a hyperthyroid cat cross the bridge on July 30th. Maybelle had been taking methimazole (tapozole) since January 2005. She was 17 years old, too.

This April she was diagnosed in kidney failure. Her vet told me hyperT masks kidney problems because the heart beats faster which keeps the blood flowing through the kidneys even though they are not filtering properly.

Your description of how Orange was acting sounds much like kidney failure. Kidney failure makes them so weak so fast.

My heartfelt sympathy for you on the loss of your Orange. I know the grief you are experiencing now.

There are several pet grief websites. My favorite is petloss.com. I have a tribute to my Maybelle there. They have a candle ceremony, poems, stories, books, and links to grief resources.

My Maybelle was always so 'motherly' here on earth with all the cats I adopted or rescued. I pray Maybelle will find your Orange and take care of him until we join them!

Answer 3

We have several cats. We adopt older cats and give them a home for life. They are all very special.

Our 4 oldest cats and cats that my wife had BEFORE we started our rescue have all passed away over the past 6 years. They ranged in age from 11 to 17.
Two died at home and two we had to put to sleep. In every case my wife absolutely drives herself crazy trying to figure out what she could have done differently everytime we lose a pet. The answer is that nothing else can be done. We can only trust our vets.

Your cat lived a very long life and you obviously loved him, took good care of him, and kept him from suffering.

You did a very good job of being his owner and friend.

Answer 4

I have had two elderly male cats who took Tapazole for hyperthyroidism as well.They initially did very well,and gained weight.One of the cats,Barney,just died one day.I was just about to feed him,and he started having trouble breathing,and after a few minutes,he died. He was 16.The other cat,Cecil,did well for about four years,but never did gain back all of his weight.Then he got ill all of a sudden and died,too. He was 14.I think that the hyperthyroidism wasn't completely controlled and their hearts were damaged. Well,I KNOW that Barney's was,as he was on heart medication as well.I think the best treatment for it is the irradiation treatment of the thyroid gland,but unfortunately,the expense and isolation of the cat for several weeks,and finding a hospital that will do it,prevents most people from seeking it out,and the medication is the only alternative. I'm sorry for your loss,I know how you feel.Also,remember that 17 is quite old for a cat,and many cats don't live that long.It wasn't your fault.

Answer 5

17 is fairly old for a cat . I had one that live just short of 20. I have had 5 that have been with me at least 16 years.
It seems that most only servive to not much more than 5 or so.
It sounds like he had a good and happy life.

Answer 6

Sweetheart, despite the fact that a very few cats live to be older than your cat, your cat actually outlived the average house cat. He died because he was old. He lived a good life, he had a good friend in you, and you did everything you possibly could to prolongue his life.

It is always hard to lose a beloved pet, but I encourage you to consider looking for your next cat friend. Of course the cat will never take the place of Orange- he isn't meant to. The next one will be there to create new memories with you.

Orange was a lucky boy that he had a good long life with you. The fact that he lived so long is a testament to the good care you gave him.

Answer 7

Orange did have a nice long span, and probably had a couple of good years left, but, without making specific accusations, where would you take your CHILD to pick up an illness? Why, to the doctors office, of course, where all the other ill children with colds and whatnot are. We lost at least half-a-dozen nice cats to diseases CAUGHT while confined in vets' dirty cages. I don't know the answer to this, I suppose one could maintain going conversations with other pet owners. Perhaps, someone needs to start a web site(s) where one could trade actual names and experiences with their pet tenders. Good Luck, TomG

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Answer 8

I am so terribly sorry for your loss. It seems that your Boy has went through and survived alot. Our dear babies finally hit a point where their bodies just can't continue. It was his time and knowing that does nothing to help. Fly free sweet boy up to the bridge where you can run and play, young and free and without pain. I know you will look over the edge of the bridge and there will be your Bean. Your Bean loved you so much and now is having a hard time. Little boy you are now the Guardian Angel to your Bean and I know your brave little heart will take on the joy of watching and being a GA,
Visit and bring memories that are sweet.
<<<<<<<<<<<<<
May I suggest that you go to http://www.in-memory-of-pets.com/
Ask them to put your Boy's picture up it is so healing. We just lost our wonderful little dog. A friend set it up. You are givien a URL and you go in and click on the brightest star in the night sky up in the right hand corner. Then 2 candles with roses appear lite and beautiful on either side of your babies picture. Candle In the Wind plays. We sat and stared at it over and over and remembered. I go back often and talk to him. It helps heal. Look around that site it is wonderful. Also just type in Rainbow Bridge and Google will lead you to a site you can talk to others who just lost their babies. You can even set up a perpetual site but that costs yearly fees. But these things all help the first terrible pain. (((HUGS)))

Answer 9

No, you did nothing wrong. Your cat died because it was his time to go. You did an excellent job caring for Orange. His body was giving out on him. You know in cat years, he lived to be 119 years of age. You really took good care of your cat. I think he tried to get well for you and his little body just couldn't bounce back. I am very sorry for your loss. Just be thankful you had him for so long and remember him fondly. I had a similar experience. My dog lived to 15 years of age. I was just as devastated as you. Again, I am sorry.

Answer 10

You did the loving thing & doing the loving thing is always the RIGHT thing to do.

Orange was suffering & you allowed him to have peace. This gift shows how deep your love was for your faithful companion.

Orange will continue to survive -- he will live as long as you remember the special times that you've shared together. When you are ready, please consider sharing memories & pictures of Orange with others.

You seem to have a sweet soul. May you one day be able to share that warmth with another companion who needs your tender care.