[Shelley120861]

Several months ago we found a stray kitten on our property. She was found to actually be 6 months old and was barely 2 pounds. We took her to the vet, had all her shots and spayed. She was found to have heartworms, but we were told there was no treatment. We nursed her into a wonderful, beautiful, healthy cat. The day before yesterday, she was playing, entergetic, fine. The next day we found her lethargic and not looking well. She had lost her bowels all over her little self and they were bloody. We rushed her to the vet. They gave her antibiotics and no IV drip as they said she was not dehydrated, and they were worried about doing anything further for her as they were concerned she may not make it through anesthesia. I think they were going to have to give her anesthesia in order to place an IV in as she was giving them all kinds of hell! They thought she would be fine in a few days. Well, we put her in our garage and she worsened and was dead this a.m. She had no fever, but was lethargic (severely) and could barely hold her little head up. She had bloody diarreah but we didn't notice any vomiting, but she may have been vomiting before we found her. She had no abdominal pain that we know of, had labored breathing and her breathing sounded a little raspy but the doctor said she had no puncture wounds or any kind of trauma. I am just a complete mess. I cannot figure out what happened to our cat. I've never seen anything like this happen to a cat. I don't know if she was poisioned or maybe had Feline Distemper (even though she was vaccinated for this). We have indoor cats and I'm worried about contamination although they were never together. I just can't understand how a cat can be so active and happy one day and barely breathing the next. We thought about an autopsy but not until after she was buried and I didn't want to subject us to any further pain. I've had cats all my life and never lost one in this manner. Can anyone help me to understand this a little better? I know you all can't diagnose, but maybe just hearing of someone else who has experienced this may help me understand what may have happened a little better. Thanks.

This post has been edited by Shelley120861: 28 October 2009 - 01:40 AM

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[aboutTaya]

I do hope someone with more experience can help offer some suggestions...

All I can say is that I am very sorry for this very sad loss of your little sweetheart and I am so glad that you found her and she knew your love and care during her too short life.

[Shelley120861]

Thanks, for the kind words. I guess we all get attached to these little critters like they're our kids. I love them all so much as I'm sure everyone else does theirs!

[CatsRU]

I am so sorry Shelley - your little furry one will be flying with the angels. Hugs.

[oriental cats]

I too am so very sorry Shelley.
You took her in and gave her a chance.
You loved and cared for her.
You sought vet care for her.
She died loved.
The hard thing with a rescue is we dont know their background.
I will pass on to you mum's words (she rescued) sometimes they come to me so they can die surrounded by love.
Sue X
Shelley would be good to chat to your vet about your concerns re the other cats and what may have happened to the little one as he or she treated her.

This post has been edited by oriental cats: 28 October 2009 - 06:35 AM

[CoralD]

I will pass on to you mum's words (she rescued) sometimes they come to me so they can die surrounded by love.

And everyone should be lucky enough to have that....animals or humans. We do what we can - but in the end Love is the only thing which is guaranteed.

[Linda K]

was there any type of poison (like rat poison for instance), that she could have gotten into? (or maybe eaten a rat that had eaten poison?0

[Heather Sharada]

I'm terribly sorry that you lost your little cat ((hugs)) - why not have a word with the Vet. The only thing that comes to mind that might have caused some of the symptoms is perhaps heart failure...but of course I am guessing.

I'm hoping that your other cats are fine and it is most likely that they will be......but speak to your vet.

[Doreen]

I am so sorry Shelley, but you gave her lots of love, it would have been totally tragic if she didn't have that at least. RIP little one.

We mourn with you Shelley.

[Shelley120861]

Thanks to you all. You know, I read something saying heartworms can affect the gastric area, so I guess it's quite possible that it could have been the heartworms. There is no poision anywhere around. Another thing the cat was catching hummingbirds. Wondering if she could have eaten one and the beak pierced her intestines? I say this because my husband said the blood that was on her smelled like when you shoot a deer and accidentally hit it in the gut. He said it smells really bad, not just like blood and he swears that's how the smell was on Kitty. I just wish I knew 100%, but I guess I never will. His Dad is a retired vet and he worked for his Dad for years and has seen lots of things. He feels very strongly her intestines were punctured internaly. I really don't think it was feline distemper as she was immunized against it and she didn't have any fever.

This post has been edited by Shelley120861: 28 October 2009 - 09:11 AM

[raggiesrule]

Really sorry to hear of your loss. Hang on to the good memory of your little one - she had a life once she met you and your husband where she was loved and cherished and she has now gone physically but will always be with you in spirit.

I would not be too concerned about your inside cats. Whilst humans can be vectors for some diseases (as can air for that matter) most need direct contact.

Jo

[~Joan~]

My thoughts are with you. So sad for the little one, she's in no pain and passed with love.

[Linda K]

so sad when you are left with the unknown, but at least you know that the little one went from struggling to make her way in the world, to never again needing to worry about having a warm place to sleep, a full belly, or lacked for a cuddle, and sounds like there was nothing else that you could have done. RIP little girl, and for you

[nat3]

I am so very sorry for the loss of your little girl, how awful to see her like that.

Rest in peace to your beautiful angel, even though she wasnt here for long I am glad the time she had with you she was so loved and cared for.

[Trifon]

My mum lost a little boy (Oscar) suddenly. One day he was jumping around full of life, the next he could barely breath. An autopsy was done and found that he had a birth defect. There is a thread about it if you search. It was probably a year or more ago now.


I am so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace little one