R.I.P. -- my cat

[Pellaz]

A few of you have met my cat, affectionately nicknamed "Zombie Kitty" lately since he'd developed a habit of scratching himself in one spot enough to draw blood. Otherwise he was a very affectionate 8-yr old cat (who shed a lot) and who was often inseparable from his owner, namely me.

On Monday, since it was Veterans Day (i.e., government employees' get-shit-done day), I brought him in to a nearby animal hospital for an overdue checkup on his scratching problem.
He had also developed fleas within the last two weeks, and one flea treatment I'd bought at PetCo hadn't worked for very long. I tried another, different spray treatment on him before heading down to the vet. He seemed to develop more sores and also had some trouble breathing afterward.

The vet checked him out, gave him a pill that kills all the fleas in about an hour (!), and also thought he might be anemic so he ran a blood test, too. He decided he wanted to keep him overnight, and I agreed.

This morning (Tues.) the vet called me. My cat had expired from respiratory arrest not long after the technicians arrived in the morning.

They're still not sure exactly why it happened, and I've asked for a necropsy to find out. I'm thinking it might have been related to the flea 'medicine' I tried, but the vet thought it could have been a virus of some sort.


I'll miss him.

[Meedleyx10]

Very sorry to hear that dude . As manly as it sounds, I'm a cat guy myself. We lost our cat, Alley, last fall. She was 12 (we'd had her since I was 6). It sucked because it was about 2 weeks after I left home to come to college. I feel for ya dude.

[Pellaz]

Yeah, yeah, I know: cats aren't all that manly and I'm supposed to have a dog instead.

I've just always gotten along well with cats unless they're totally antisocial.

"I don't believe in auras, but I believe that cats can sense them."

[Magius]

Condolences... and cats rule.

[sh0kr0k]

Aww man, so sorry to hear that! Poor little guy :-\ Hopefully it wasn't the flea spray! My goodness, what a scary thought! Maybe one of the fleas gave him the virus.. Cats are great, especially the ones that we bond to the most. I miss my little furballs, too. Are you going to get another kitty? *hugs*

[Cheiron]

=( poor kitty.

Sadly most flea treatments not only don't work, but can cause harm. Such as that Hartz shit. But who knows what happened to your kitty. I find it odd that your kitty died while at the Vet's office though...

[Yippee38]

I'm sorry to hear that Pellaz. Our first dog died very suddenly from respiratory arrest. It's rough when it comes with no warning, though it spares you from having to make a choice of putting them dwon.

Hang in there.

[13ShadesofGray]

Oh man, I wish I were there to give you a hug. I hope they can find some answers so you don't have that endless sense of wondering what the hell happened adding more to your grief. Todd & I know how much that sucks. ((((Paul)))

[Mxgonzo]

Sorry to hear that Pellaz. My cat Ralph died back in March at the vets also. Although he was 16 and had liver problems,I think it's too stressful for some animals to be at the vet. With all the other animals there and a totally alien environment its just too much for a sick pet. It sucks but I would rather them go quickly than have a long painful end.

[JenniferLynn]

My condolences... They are our kids - fur n' all!!!!

[sarbah77]

Originally Posted by JenniferLynn

My condolences... They are our kids - fur n' all!!!!

I agree! My condolences, as well. I'm awful fond of my fur beasts and I'd be quite sad in your shoes!