Expert: Ali - 4/2/2009

Question
QUESTION: My 8 year old cat died suddenly.  She had just been to the vet that day for a check-up and shots.  I found that she was breathing rather fast in the evening.  She awoke us around 1a.m. with a very loud meow and when we got up and found her seconds later she was dead.  She was a healthy cat but the vet heard a heart murmur at her visit that day.  I had noticed the fast breathing for about a week prior to her going to the vet.  What could have happened?

ANSWER: Nancy,

I'm so sorry for the terribly sudden loss of your special kitty. It's really difficult when we don't know exactly why our pet has died, I do want you to realize that I can only offer you some educated guesses, I'm not a veterinarian so I wouldn't be able to offer a diagnosis. There are a number of possibilities for what may have caused your middle aged cat's death, but I suspect based on the fact that the veterinarian noted a heart murmur that her death is likely related to her heart in some way. Your cat may have had some previously undiagnosed heart condition or she may have been going into heart failure although 8 is still quite young for that. Your cat may also have had a heart attack. The only way that you'll know for sure what happened is to have your vet perform a necropsy which is an animal autopsy, if the vet can't find anything wrong with any other part of your cat's major organ systems it would probably be safe to assume that her heart failed. I know how difficult it is to lose such a special friend and I wanted to pass on a piece of writing that has been very comforting to me when I've lost furry friends along the way. I hope that this helps.

Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.

There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Remember your cat well and celebrate the joy that she's brought to your lives.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm finding this very hard to deal with and can't seem to stop crying.  I keep going over it again and again.  She just seemed so healthy other than the fast breathing.  I also wonder if any of this could have been due to the three vaccinations she received that day.  She's had them before though with no ill effects.  Please advise.  Thank you so much for your kind words.
Nancy

Answer
Nancy,

Some cats do have adverse reactions to vaccines. New research suggests that we as are over vaccinating our cats with serious long term consequences. Normally we vaccinate kittens several times fairly early in their lives and up until recently it was thought that we had to continue vaccinations annually. New research has shown that cats who were properly vaccinated as kittens are likely immune to the diseases that are routinely vaccinated against for several years if not their entire lifetime making revaccination each year unnecessary. The University of Guelph (Ontario, Canada) has done research showing that cats vaccinated annually are far more likely to develop renal failure and auto immune conditions so they are now recommending that we vaccinate our pets in cycles.

I think that it's important for me to be completely honest with you -I have no way of knowing for sure if your cat's death was related to a vaccine reaction, this is something else that your vet would likely be able to confirm at autopsy. Since you had noticed the rapid heavy breathing prior to the vet visit the vaccines your cat received may not have played any part in your cat's death. Unfortunately the loss of your special friend is fresh and new so it's extremely painful. It's perfectly natural to wonder if you could have done anything to prevent your cat's passing. If finding out exactly why your cat passed so suddenly is important to you I would suggest that you have your vet perform a necropsy, this will establish an accurate cause of death. There may have been some natural disease process happening for some time before your cat's death, there's no way to know for sure without having your veterinarian perform further testing on her remains.

I know that you are having a very difficult time at the moment. It's quite a shock to believe that your cat was perfectly healthy up until very recently. There is always a certain amount of guilt that goes along with grief, I don't know that you could have done anything to prevent your cat's passing. If the veterinarian suspected that your cat was sick or had some new health concerns s/he may have been more prudent to hold off on vaccinating your cat until further tests were done. It's quite possible that if your cat was sick the vaccines may have contributed to her death, but again without having the vet examine the cat's remains thoroughly there's no way to know that. I do believe that your cat woke you up as she was dying to say good-bye to her much loved caregivers.

It's obvious to me that you loved this cat very deeply and her sudden passing has been difficult to understand. It may be therapeutic to consider going to your local shelter to look at the cats and kittens available for adoption, it will help soothe your heart. If your local shelter has a room that you can interact with the cats outside of a caged environment you may find that cuddling or playing with some of these precious souls in need of a loving permanent home you may find that taking the time to socialize with other cats helps to heal your broken heart. I'm not saying that you have to adopt another cat immediately, but I'm sure that your precious cat loved you so much that she wouldn't want to see you aching for a cat's warm presence. You could consider offering to foster kittens for the shelter, it may be healing for you to see their silly antics. I know that your cat had a good life, she loved you very much, I can see how much you loved her and I know that your cat would want you to share the love in your heart with another cat or kitten when you're ready to do so. Adopting from your local shelter will save a homeless cat's life and I'm sure that your angel cat will look down from her place in the Rainbow Bridge happily as she watches the pain you're experiencing heal to provide her a special place forever within your heart. I know how tough the loss of a special cat companion can be, I'm more than willing to offer support during this difficult time.