Expert: Jessica - 9/26/2010

Question
I had my cat for early 8 years, I rescued him from the streets when he was a
kitten and he was always in good health. Today we were taking a nap and he
was fluffing his favorite blanquet when suddenly he ran out and felt on the
floor. I thought he was in shock from a trauma as he had problems breathing.
I tried CPr but his tong was sticking out of his mouth turning bluish as his
gums. HJe was gasping for less than a few seconds , his pupils were dilated
and some saliva was coming out of his mouth. I realized he was dead since he
was unresponsive. What do you think was the cause of death?

Answer
Hi Eugenia,

I'm so sorry to hear about this!  How awful.  It would be impossible for me to say how your kitty died, and even a vet could only guess at it without doing a post-mortem exam.  But when there have been absolutely no signs of illness - no weight loss, no lack of appetite, no change in breathing patterns or paling/yellowing of the mucus membranes, no change in urinary or bowel movements, etc., and the death comes on so suddenly like this, it is usually caused by a heart problem.  In cases where the cat is apparently healthy and literally drops dead in just minutes or less, this is typically caused by a cardiac arrhythmia, or irregular heart beat.

Cats who die in such a manner have usually had a cardiac arrhythmia for many years, or even since birth.  Because there are no outward symptoms, most cats are never diagnosed, and hence, never treated.  The arrhythmia tends to get worse and worse over time, until in some cats, the heart finally goes into arrest.  This is my strong suspicion in your kitty’s case.

I’m very, very sad that you lost your cat.  Please take comfort in the fact that there was nothing you could have done to save him, and that he passed in a most peaceful manner, quickly, at home, and in the presence of someone he loved.

Sincerely,
Jessica