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Cat Forum / General Topics / May 20068yo died suddenly
Hello all, My eight year old cat Doepay has just died suddenly at the vetinary clinic while undergoing rehydrating therapy and I'm having a little trouble coming to terms as to why my cat died so suddenly. Basically, we noticed something was wrong when he was a little wobbly on his legs but otherwise acting his normal, friendly self. He had always drank a lot of water from when he was a kitten, but it seemed to have increased in the last week or so in hindsight, though we didn't really notice it at the time. He also ate less, but since our cats help themselves to dry food we didn't really notice a reduction in consumption, just that he wasn't as full as he normally was. Anyway, the following morning after noticing he was wobbly, he had gotten a little worse. Still not acting sick, he was just less stable on his legs, had stopped eating and nearly fell over when he shook his head so I took him to the vet straight away. Though an exeptionally affectionate cat, he seemed even more affectionate. The vet checked him and said he was dehydrated so they put him on a drip and gave him some thiamin (?) and kept him in. That evening I rang the vet and she said there was some improvement and that he seemed to be responding but they wanted to keep him in overnight. The following day I went back after work to see him, but he was slumped and did not respond to me at all and looked pathetic, almost comatose. I asked if he was likely to improve and the vet didn't give me a clear answer. She couldn't tell me what was wrong with him either, but suspected kidney failure but said she expected him to stabilise. He wasn't eating, and by looking at him incapable of doing anything else for that matter. The following morning he died of suspected kidney failure. Had I known I would have brought him home for his final hours, but it wasn't to be. I have to accept that he has gone, but since he was such a persons cat I'm having trouble with the fact that he died alone and so suddenly with virtually no symptoms before this. Anyway, does anyone here have a similar experience with their apparantly healthy cat dying suddenly of suspected renal failure? I feel like sh.t right now... three days ago he seemed healthy and this evening I had to bury my best friend... I'm really sorry about Doepay. Unfortunately I know how badly it hurts to say goodbye to them. Nothing is worse. However, I hope you take pride in the relationship that the two of you developed over the years. It really is an accomplishment regardless of time, death or illness, and it's something that will always bind you and Doepay together. In fact, it will bind the two of you together even after you both cease to be. Until then, you can point to it with pride and satisfaction, as if to say to the world "Just look at what we did! Look what Doepay and I had together!". At any rate, I'm trying to relate how I grew to think of things after losing a beloved pet. I can only hope it's helpful. For what it's worth, the suddenness is a blessing in some ways. One of mine died after a slow and agonizing illness. I spent more time than I care to remember deliberating about whether "now" was the time to have him put to sleep. He spent so much time in the horrible "gray zone" where you don't know what to do, or whether the suffering has gotten to be too much. At least Doepay was spared that, and had most of his days to spend with you, happy and content. Take care and keep us updated on how you're making out. Did Doepay have any brothers or sisters? > I'm really sorry about Doepay. Unfortunately I know how badly it hurts > to say goodbye to them. Nothing is worse. However, I hope you take [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > be too much. At least Doepay was spared that, and had most of his days > to spend with you, happy and content. Thank you for your words, it puts a different perspective on things and it helps... > Take care and keep us updated on how you're making out. Did Doepay have > any brothers or sisters? We have two other cats, Ninni the Poo ("Poo" for short) and Kikki Nang Nang, but neither of the girls are really mine in that we don't really have that special bond like I did with Doepay, they are more my other half's cats. Doepay was always the one that ran in front of my car as I drove up the driveway and waited for me to open the car door to greet me. I'm going to miss that so much after a sh.t day at work, he was such a character. >Hello all, > >My eight year old cat Doepay has just died suddenly at the vetinary clinic >while undergoing rehydrating therapy and I'm having a little trouble coming >to terms as to why my cat died so suddenly. <snip> >The vet checked him and said he was dehydrated so they put him on a drip and >gave him some thiamin (?) and kept him in. [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] >I feel like sh.t right now... three days ago he seemed healthy and this >evening I had to bury my best friend... First, I am sorry for your loss. It's very difficult to lose a pet. I don't know what kind of relationship you have with this vet, but I think you're entitled to some definitive answers. First, he's improving, then not, then expected to stabilize, and dead two days later. Something doesn't sound right here. I understand your grief at not being with him when he passed over. I hope you can put this behind you. As soon as you feel able, please give a loving home to a cat that needs one. >I don't know what kind of relationship you have with this vet, but I >think you're entitled to some definitive answers. First, he's >improving, then not, then expected to stabilize, and dead two days >later. Something doesn't sound right here. Not necessarily. Remember a cat can't verbalize symptoms like a human can. >I understand your grief at not being with him when he passed over. > >I hope you can put this behind you. As soon as you feel able, please >give a loving home to a cat that needs one. Take comfort that he will be waiting for you at rainbow bridge. Quote: ">I don't know what kind of relationship you have with this vet, but I >think you're entitled to some definitive answers. First, he's >improving, then not, then expected to stabilize, and dead two days >later. Something doesn't sound right here. Not necessarily. Remember a cat can't verbalize symptoms like a human can. " However, lethargy should be an immediate indication to do a blood test for kidney failure. On the other hand, it would not have made a difference. Kidney failure is not reversible and I don't know of any kitty transplants taking place. On the third hand, the how and why doesn't matter at all. It's just the loss and the mourning now. It's good to mourn, it's good to miss your kitty. He was a very special cat and you will always have the knowledge of your experiences together. A little perspective: I'm a defense lawyer and I have defended a number of wrongful death cases; mostly medical malpractice. While the anger of the decedent's family usual triggers the lawsuit, I don't think I've ever seen a case where acting on that anger relieved the family's grief. Answers about what "really happened" are just more information, there's no special vindication that goes along with it. Remember your loved ones, including your pets... that's the best way to turn your feelings into a positive. I too lost my first love, my first cat, to kidney failure. It was quite a bit more drawn out, but thankfully a cat with kidney failure doesn't experience pain or distress. When you are ready, another gato will capture your heart. -Furry > Quote: > ">I don't know what kind of relationship you have with this vet, but I [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] > > When you are ready, another gato will capture your heart. Yes, you are right. I have looked for information online and the only course of treatment for his condition was to rehydrate him in order to stabilise him. It didn't work, he crashed heavily and didn't pull through :-( Regardless of the bloodtest, the treatment would have been the same so there really isn't anyone to blame. The only thing they could do, they did. Unfortunately, because the vet that treated him didn't convey his condition and outlook very well I was left with the feeling that they didn't really do anything, or worse. I now put it down to a lack of people skills on the vets part, in particular when she left a message on the answering service for us to call her back where she called him Sooty before correcting herself. Regardless, life goes on and nothing will bring him back. I've spent the morning looking through pictures and remembering all the good times on my own and I'm coping reasonably well now. The other two cats are missing him, and as if they know are much more affectionate to me as well. I gave them the chance to say goodbye to Doepay before we buried him, in case it helps. I hope he didn't suffer, but given his condition the last time I saw him I don't think he did. I take comfort in that. Thanks for your reply. >I have looked for information online and the only course of treatment for >his condition was to rehydrate him in order to stabilise him. It didn't >work, he crashed heavily and didn't pull through :-( Does this mean the cat was dehydrated prior to the vet visit? >Not necessarily. Remember a cat can't verbalize symptoms like a >human can. " True. >However, lethargy should be an immediate indication to do a blood test >for kidney failure. Not necessarily. Depends on age of the cat, how much activity is normal. My Calico is lethargic, but then she is 17 YEARS OLD. >A little perspective: I'm a defense lawyer and I have defended a number >of wrongful death cases; mostly medical malpractice. While the anger [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >kidney failure. It was quite a bit more drawn out, but thankfully a >cat with kidney failure doesn't experience pain or distress. One thing to bear in mind is things like Kidney failure happen, animal medicine can perform miracles but there is a limit to those miracles. Ultimately they can't wave a magic wand and make a new kidney apprear. It's like those stacks of dominoes they show on TV. One dominoe falls over and all the rows and rows of dominoes fall over. In this case the kidney fails and many other organs also fail in turn. It's a part of life. These things happen. Take comfort in knowing you cat will be waiting for you at rainbow bridge. >>Hello all, >> [quoted text clipped - 36 lines] > improving, then not, then expected to stabilize, and dead two days > later. Something doesn't sound right here. That's exactly what i was thinking. Something does NOT sound right. > I understand your grief at not being with him when he passed over. > > I hope you can put this behind you. As soon as you feel able, please > give a loving home to a cat that needs one. I am very sorry for your loss. Doepay left you too soon. Please accept my most sincere condolences, from my house to yours, and may sweet memories of your darling kitty live forever in your heart. My dear Romeo cat passed away in February, so I understand your grief and sadness. You may find some comfort on the Tributes pages that I have on my website: http://www.flippyscatpage.com/tributes.html Purrs,  SignatureFlippy in Melbourne, Australia. Catpage: http://www.flippyscatpage.com > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 41 lines] > I feel like sh.t right now... three days ago he seemed healthy and this > evening I had to bury my best friend... >Basically, we noticed something was wrong when he was a little wobbly on his >legs but otherwise acting his normal, friendly self. He had always drank a >lot of water from when he was a kitten, but it seemed to have increased in >the last week or so in hindsight, though we didn't really notice it at the >time. My sympathy on your loss. Could the drinking of excess water indicate diabetes? > Hello all, > > My eight year old cat Doepay has just died suddenly at the vetinary clinic > while undergoing rehydrating therapy and I'm having a little trouble > coming to terms as to why my cat died so suddenly. I am very sorry to hear about your loss! The fact that your old cat Doepay needed rehydrating meant that something *very serious* was wrong. I'm sure the vet did every reasonable thing to save your cat. When cats have kidney problems..the chance of a recovery is usually extremely rare. The only possible consolation I could offer is the fact that your poor cat did not have anything but a very short period of suffering. Even though cats typically live longer than 8 years...You still had 8 good years with your cat... and of course, your cat had 8 good years with you ! >My eight year old cat Doepay has just died suddenly at the vetinary clinic >while undergoing rehydrating therapy and I'm having a little trouble coming >to terms as to why my cat died so suddenly. Bear in mind it may have had nothing to do with this vet visit. Maybe the cat got into a fight years ago outside and suffered internal injuries, internal injuries that were never diagnosed. When you have a cat that is out of your sight for a period of time you never know what happened. For example I got all my cats when they were about seven weeks old. To this day I have no idea what happened to these cats during the first seven months. Also you don't know what happens during those hours your cat is outside, out of your sight. |
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