Sudden health issues (fluid in lungs, enlarged heart)

[iPappy]

Is it normal for the other cats to be indifferent about it?

I made sure they knew he had passed. They both came and sniffed him and then just carried on like normal. The last cat I had that passed was not close with any of the other cats but these ones spent a lot of time with him and they would all snuggle and clean each other.

I expected at least the one that grew up with him from a young kitten that was his little buddy to be upset but there is really no difference in his behavior.

Yes, I have noticed this indifference before, and it's usually in cats that are past the kitten stage or cats that see them after they have passed. I strongly believe that adult cats, like adult humans, have a more conscious grasp of passing than a kitten or a small child does. Sometimes, they respond differently to a companion who has passed from an illness vs. something that takes them suddenly (hit by a car, etc.) Both my girls saw my boy after he had passed. I made sure of it.
I have his litter mate still. For a week or so after, she was a bit out of sorts. It was little things, like spending more time in his bed and being quieter than normal.

 

[silent meowlook]

I’m not sure that cats actually understand death. Working in vet hospitals, often people would bring the other cat when they were having their cat euthanized. I never saw a cat that understood what was happening.

 

[BluOnyx]

Maybe they know with sick cats death is coming beforehand? Like they can sense they will be passing and say their goodbyes before they go?

The last few weeks I noticed they got real snugly again, like before he had his first round of heart failure.

I guess I don't have to worry about them being upset.

 

[BluOnyx]

I have been tried for awhile now and am dreading going to bed. He slept with me every night. The other two don't like to. They have their own bedtime spots.

 

[Julie Roland]

He had his breakfast this morning. Seemed perfectly fine. About 30 minutes later I found him in one of his napping spots, he had passed away. I didn't think it would happen so suddenly. I was not prepared for this. My heart is aching. I thought for sure he at least had a few more years because he was responding well to the medication. I didn't hear anything. I think his heart may have just stopped. What hurts the most right now is that I didn't know my final moments with him would be this morning. I would have hugged him, pet him more, showed him how much I loved him.

I knew he was not going to live forever. I also knew his life was going to be cut short because of this. I just wasn't ready for it to happen so suddenly. He went from being perfectly fine enjoying his breakfast, to gone.

I just hope it was not painful for him. He was the sweetest cat I have ever known. He loved everyone he met.

I was already planning to get him a new cat tree for his birthday next month. I feel like part of me died.

I'm so sorry for your loss and heartache/heartbreak. Just breathe sweetie and take care of yourself during this sad time. Saying a prayer for your peace and comfort in Jesus name, amen

 

[AbbysMom]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

 

[fionasmom]

Maybe they know with sick cats death is coming beforehand? Like they can sense they will be passing and say their goodbyes before they go?

I believe that this is very true. Animals have an entirely different sense of the world and may be able to intuit what we cannot. In the studies of Rupert Sheldrake, which are by his own admission anecdotal, he felt that it was clear that dogs and cats often knew when a passing was imminent.

I’m not sure that cats actually understand death. Working in vet hospitals, often people would bring the other cat when they were having their cat euthanized. I never saw a cat that understood what was happening.

I agree with this. It is somehow not the same understanding that people have when they are with someone who passes on. I have owned many cats, which means indoor only pets who had formed friendships and lived their entire life with another cat in the house, and only three showed any distress at the passing of another one. I have often wondered if this is something closer to understanding and acceptance as opposed to a lack of care.

 

[Meowmee]

My cats have all understood death. Normally I have a brief wake so they can say a final goodbye. But they know in advance when one of their sisters/ brothers is sick too. Quinn does get a bit worried about their body and hisses a bit, the others have all come to look at them and sniff etc. I feel it’s better for them to say a final goodbye because then they don’t think that I just took the cat away and they vanished etc.

Cats understand a lot more than many people think they do. Quinn, for instance, knows entire sentences in English. He has to be one of my smartest cats ever. For instance, a few weeks ago, I said to him where is your Yoda toy. Because I hadn’t seen it in forever the next day he had found it and brought it up to my bed. I had not seen it in over a year prolly, and he has a gazillion toys so it was not a coincidence. I have been thinking about trying those letter blocks that people do with their dogs with him.

When Byron died or started dying horrifically at home, that was when I started having trouble getting my cats to get in the carrier to go to the DVM because they were so traumatized by that. Angie was the most affected, it used to take me three hours to get her into a carrier.

Now we are all grieving deeply for Merlin… they know how affected I am and have been trying to help me etc. I can tell they miss him a great deal.

 

[iPappy]

I’m not sure that cats actually understand death. Working in vet hospitals, often people would bring the other cat when they were having their cat euthanized. I never saw a cat that understood what was happening.

When I had to have the vet come to the house for Tag, the cats ran when she arrived so they were not present. Livie sat with my Mom next to me while I held Tag, hugging him and crying. When it was all over, Livie sweetly approached Tag and gave him kisses all over his face. Suddenly she stopped, stared at him, and her ears and tail went down. She walked across the room, lowered her head, and threw up all over the place. That evening, she slept in the exact same spot he was in when the vet gave him the injection. (Livie was not even 2 years old at the time, and at that age, she didn't just sleep all evening, so I know she definitely knew her big brother was gone.) I don't think Livie understood what euthanasia was. But I know she understood the aftermath.

 

[BluOnyx]

It seems they know and they just have their own ways of handling it. I just hope my other boys are not hurting as much as I am.

 

[jman_in_mn]

Just came across this thread today while browsing at the laundromat. My Izzy died last year of CHF, same deal where there was fluid around his enlarged heart. He was diagnosed in March 2023 and passed away of 16yrs on Aug 1 2023. I still think about him all the time, sigh. With his brother having his own health issues at 17yrs, sometime I pray to him to help as Marvin’s guardian angel. I think he hears me, and that keeps me from being too sad.

To the OP, I’m very sorry for your loss. Hang in there, it’s tough but days will be better

 

[BluOnyx]

Thank you everyone. I still find myself breaking down in tears. He wasn't just my cat, he was a very close friend.

I worried all the medication he was on would eventually lead him to just not be living a full life so I am thankful it never did come to that. I just wish there was more options for heart disease like there is for humans. I guess we just don't fully understand it yet.

I pray there is eventually something that can help heal all the damages hearts of kitties out there as well as kidney problems. It seems those are the ones that burden cats the most.

 

[shorin0723]

Thank you everyone. I still find myself breaking down in tears. He wasn't just my cat, he was a very close friend.

I worried all the medication he was on would eventually lead him to just not be living a full life so I am thankful it never did come to that. I just wish there was more options for heart disease like there is for humans. I guess we just don't fully understand it yet.

I pray there is eventually something that can help heal all the damages hearts of kitties out there as well as kidney problems. It seems those are the ones that burden cats the most.

They are certainly a lion's share of our lives and when they pass it's painful no matter how we prepare ourselves for it. Our little heart patient sounds just like yours and is my shadow as well. Sounds like they have both a large heart metaphorically and literally.

The thought of medications affecting my boy's quality of life have crossed my mind a lot as well. Sounds like it did it's job and kept him going and when it was time to go it was swift. I've thought over and over about how I could contribute to pet research so that perhaps one day someone else's family would not have to understand our struggle and that's what led us to contributing to research institutes and mapping feline genes for diseases in genetic markers. UC Davis seems to be the leading body for that and we've sent swabs and samples from our little ones to help but that's only part of the equation.

I hope one day there'll be enough understanding to bridge these gaps as well.

Try to get some rest and just know that you two shared a bond that no time or effort can take away.

 

[BluOnyx]

There is some news for CKD coming from Japan. I don't know if this was shared on the forum.

Japanese scientist develops treatment that can help cats live up to 30 years

A Japanese scientist has developed a treatment targeting chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats, potentially extending their lifespan to 30 years. Cats and kidney disease: Cats, with an average lifespan of just 15 years, face CKD as a major threat as it dramatically worsens their health...

www.yahoo.com

I know kitties can't live forever but ensuring they have long, healthy lives is ideal.

 

[iPappy]

There is some news for CKD coming from Japan. I don't know if this was shared on the forum.

http://[URL]https://www.yahoo.com/news/japanese-scientist-develops-treatment-help-001259612.html

[/URL]

I know kitties can't live forever but ensuring they have long, healthy lives is ideal.

This is exciting news!! It would be so wonderful to see 25-30 years the norm for cats, and kidney disease no longer such a threat.
I hope you're doing better BluOnyx and are able to sleep.

 

[fionasmom]

Once again, I am so sorry for your loss. When a cat passes on, we lock the thread out of respect. You are welcome to create a tribute to your boy in our Crossing the Bridge forum. Please remember that we are here for you to listen and offer support.

Crossing the Bridge