My cat died today, and I'm overcome with grief. I feel like the only thing that would help right now is speaking with someone else who has experienced losing a cat this way.
He was 17-18 years old. THE companion of my life. He was alert and active, able to jump and run, and so full of vitality and a strong work ethic. He didn't seem old. I thought he had several years left in him. I'm in so much shock to have lost him so suddenly to such an unusual condition.
Three weeks ago, he suddenly had trouble breathing. I brought him to the vet. They drained fluid from his belly and his lungs. His lungs immediately expanded as soon as they started draining the fluid. But they couldn't get all of the fluid or figure out the cause, despite the blood work and the lab tests on the fluid. He was put on diuretics to help get rid of the remaining fluid, plus thyroid medication.
I kept an eye on his breathing for the next few weeks. It seemed better. His appetite returned. Half of his normal behaviors returned.
I missed the warning sign though. He suddenly started acting lethargic. I thought it was due to my house being a little warm that day. He was active after I lowered the temperature. But a few days later, he was in trouble again. I took him to the emergency vet. They quickly drained some fluid, put him on oxygen, gave him some time to recoup before they drained the rest of the fluid. They got all of it out by looking at the ultrasound. But his breathing didn't improve. The X-Rays revealed that his lungs couldn't expand to their normal size. They actually stayed the same size even after the fluid removal. There was too much scar tissue.
I'm so heartbroken. If I had known these would be my last few weeks with him, I would've blocked off all my PTO to be with him. He was my loyal companion for 16 years. I adopted him from the local shelter. We were both young adults at the time. He has been with me through everything.
Please. Has this happened to anyone else?
He was 17-18 years old. THE companion of my life. He was alert and active, able to jump and run, and so full of vitality and a strong work ethic. He didn't seem old. I thought he had several years left in him. I'm in so much shock to have lost him so suddenly to such an unusual condition.
Three weeks ago, he suddenly had trouble breathing. I brought him to the vet. They drained fluid from his belly and his lungs. His lungs immediately expanded as soon as they started draining the fluid. But they couldn't get all of the fluid or figure out the cause, despite the blood work and the lab tests on the fluid. He was put on diuretics to help get rid of the remaining fluid, plus thyroid medication.
I kept an eye on his breathing for the next few weeks. It seemed better. His appetite returned. Half of his normal behaviors returned.
I missed the warning sign though. He suddenly started acting lethargic. I thought it was due to my house being a little warm that day. He was active after I lowered the temperature. But a few days later, he was in trouble again. I took him to the emergency vet. They quickly drained some fluid, put him on oxygen, gave him some time to recoup before they drained the rest of the fluid. They got all of it out by looking at the ultrasound. But his breathing didn't improve. The X-Rays revealed that his lungs couldn't expand to their normal size. They actually stayed the same size even after the fluid removal. There was too much scar tissue.
I'm so heartbroken. If I had known these would be my last few weeks with him, I would've blocked off all my PTO to be with him. He was my loyal companion for 16 years. I adopted him from the local shelter. We were both young adults at the time. He has been with me through everything.
Please. Has this happened to anyone else?
