Enlarged Spleen?

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Jabzilla

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I am heartbroken to report back that Rocket has passed away. Her procedure went well until the end. Her intestines were otherwise normal, just blocked by a mass which was successfully removed. But she failed to wake up afterwards. Her heart kept failing and the team did cpr over four times to try to save her, but each time it was even more difficult to bring her back than the last. :bawling2:
 

fionasmom

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I am beyond shocked to read this and can only imagine how you feel. I don't even know what to say right now except that I am so sorry that this happened. I lost a dog years ago during a procedure and it was in its own special place as far as grief was concerned.

Please remember that we are here for you.:hugs::redheartpump:
 
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Jabzilla

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Thank you Fionasmom. I'm not super shocked since things were already pretty grim. I told Rocket she could let go if she was suffering and tired. At least we tried to do something rather than putting her to sleep without a definite answer. The vet said the mass he removed was likely cancer and her spleen looked very abnormal and patchy. Some enlarged lymph nodes were also removed. She wasn't eating because the mass had blocked her intestines and all of the section that was ahead of the mass was overly stuffed with gas and food, backing all the way up to her stomach. Rockets days were clearly numbered and I'm at least glad she was able to go peacefully and without pain since she was under anesthesia. The medical team was fantastic and did all they could, including having a technician race home to bring in his own cat to try to give Rocket a blood transfusion. The transfusion wasn't even able to be attempted though since whatever they connect things to in the heart had already collapsed. I'm at least confident that everything that could be done had been and even though it hurts me to not have her here, I am glad Rocket is free of what must have been immense pain. :sniffle:
 

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There is no doubt that you do everything possible for your cats and there is hopefully some comfort in that. Rocket passed peacefully which being cared for by a very competent team who did everything that they could. The findings show that she had continued on as long as she could. How is Cosmos?
 
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Jabzilla

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So far he's okay. It's nap time, so he's still asleep. I asked the vet if I could bring him to say goodbye to his sister, but he said no. He said seeing a dead cat would be distressing rather than giving him closure. So I explained what happened to Cosmos myself while giving him lots of pets. If he ends up shouting into the night like he did on the previous days where Rocket is away, I'll get up and bring him back to my bed. I'll also give him as much additional attention as possible. My family already knows my trip home has been cancelled so Cosmos wont be alone, and thankfully they're understanding.

I do have a question though. Is there a way to know in the future if he would do well to have another companion? I know he loved trying to play with Rocket despite her getting angry at his attempts. Are there signs to look out for which would show he's unhappy being an only cat? Understandably, I dont want another cat right now but I am open to the possibility of one in the future if its something that would help Cosmos. This is the first time I've had two cats, so I'm unfamiliar with multi-cat dynamics.
 

fionasmom

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I have let two pets, a dog and a cat, see a departed companion and it was a combination of non-recognition, fear, and futility. I don't think that cats process a loss by seeing their friend. The bonded pairs who lost their companion all seemed to come to me for support and I was happy to give them extra time and attention. I have also had cats who seemed to accept a loss in stride, as if they understood something about the condition of the other cat or of loss in general.

To me, cats are hard to judge when it comes to another and new friend. A cat who has lived with other cats is probably a good candidate for a friend eventually, but you never know for sure. However, given that I have only rescued and have always had more than one cat, I believe that almost all cats can be properly introduced and will get along, even if not mad about each other.
 
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Ok, thank you Fionasmom. I hadn't even considered the fact that Cosmos might not even recognize his sister. Thanks for sharing how your pets have reacted, as that makes me feel less bad about him not getting to see her. I wouldn't want to upset him! His behavior towards Rocket when she was here for the weekend was different as well. He was very gentle and kept a bit of a distance. He didn't groom her and sometimes when he sniffed her, he screwed up his face like she smelled wrong. So I hope he could tell Rocket was very sick and in pain, and understands in his own way to some degree.

Thanks for the advice on a companion for Cosmos too. We'll see how he does and how I feel in the future. I'm wary because one of my friends got a second cat who the shelter insisted was great with other cats. Only for her to keep attacking the original cat. I'm afraid of something like that, though at least if it was a case like that I imagine the shelter would accept the cat back.
 

fionasmom

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Cats know when someone is sick and Cosmos probably understood that something was not right with Rocket. I just think that the process this all differently than humans and maybe understand more.

You aren't there yet, but one word of advice with shelters. Don't take the cat that they are trying to get you to take unless you are sure that is the one.
 

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I am so sorry about this. I just now read the FNA report, been without power for 3 days and cell was spotty at best, and it wasn’t good. There was nothing you could have done to keep Rocket here.

When I euthanized my 17 year old cat, Rusty, sweetest cat, my Cheetah grieved. She got in his carrier and stayed there all the time. That was the last place she had seen him. I buried him, but didn’t let her see his body. She would walk the hall meowing for him. It was heartbreaking. Gradually she stopped. I eventually gave away the carrier because it was so sad. I gave her extra attention and play time. With very bonded and sensitive cats it can take allot of time.

I waited a couple of years and got Ohmypaw. He was a stray with a hurt paw that once fixed, I couldn’t find the “ right” home for. It has been a challenge with both because she is 15 years old and has many illnesses. He is about 3 and thinks she is a great squeaky toy. He is about 11 lbs and she is around 6-7 lbs. so there is a considerable weight difference. They tolerate each other but he will chase her sometimes. She gets upset and vocal. He thinks it’s a game to stalk her also. So, it’s not a match made in heaven but it’s better than the alternative.

I’ve found that often kittens are better accepted by resident cats. You just have to remember that the kitten will grow to be an active playful young adult cat 1-5 years and it can be hard if your resident cat is a senior by then. Sometimes it doesn’t matter.

The time to get a companion might be better sooner than later, before your cat becomes accustomed to being alone. I know you can’t probably think about that now, but if you can, it’s okay too.

There will never be another Rocket. Getting another cat/kitten is not diminishing what you had with Rocket. It might help your cat through this transition. It’s hard to say. They are all so different.

I hope your good memories of Rocket, when young and healthy can comfort you through this.
 

neely

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My sincere and heartfelt sympathies on the passing of Rocket. :hugs:
And I agree with others that cats do mourn in their own way and know when a member of their pack is sick or missing. We also witnessed it with Neely. I never thought she would react the way she did since she was such an independent and take charge kind of cat but it was definitely obvious to us.

May you hold the memories of sweet Rocket close to your heart forever. :hearthrob:
 
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Jabzilla

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Thank you for all of the support everyone. I really appreciate it and reading about your experiences with a pet who's passed and how the surviving cat responded! <3 <3 <3 Thank you SilentMeowlook for the insight about having a kitten with an older cat. I figured a young cat would potentially be easier for Cosmos to accept, but at the same time, he's currently 7 so there would be an age difference there. We'll see how he does as an only cat for now. So far he hasn't been waking up in the night and meowing like he did when Rocket was in the hospital for days. I've been giving him additional attention, so hopefully that's helping. I have questions for you Fionasmom about how one would know which cat in the shelter is right vs the one they would want me to take, but I can do that on a different thread rather than hijacking Rocket's.

I'm going to the clinic to pick up her carrier and pay the bill. Originally I was going to say goodbye as well, but I've changed my mind. I don't want the image or memory of her corpse in my head. I said "bye Miss Rocket, be good, I love you!" while she was in her carrier before she was taken into the back for her overnight stay. I'd rather have that as my last image of her than a dead body. Remembering her as she was and holding those memories close, like you said Neely.
 

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You gave Rocket a lifetime of love and knew that she had possibly continued on for as long as she could. I agree that there is probably not any need to return for another glimpse of her and it might not be entirely comforting.
 

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I am so very sorry for your loss of Rocket, you and the vet team did everything they could to help her.
 

fionasmom

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Once again, I am so sorry for your loss of Rocket. When a cat passes on, we lock the thread out of respect. You are more than welcome to create a tribute to Rocket in our Crossing the Bridge forum.

Crossing the Bridge
 
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