My cat is dead :(

Pia · 30-06-2009, 08:15

He was fine last night. He's only 4 i've had him since he was 8 weeks old, he's active and sweet and lovely and this morning he woke us up at 5am howling in my son's bedroom where he'd been sleeping. He had lost the use of his back legs - we thought he must have feel awkwardly and broken or dislocated his leg or even hips.

Anyway i rang the PDSA emergency number and we had to drive to Middlesbrough. Doctor said he was paralysed and it was either:

Blood clot in the back legs caused by heart disease (saddle thrombus); or a slipped disc in his back.
It's almost definite that it was saddle thrombus, he had no pulse in his back legs, he was in a lot of pain, howling and trying to drag his body around by his front legs.

It's so sudden, i thought he'd live til he was about 15, he sleeps with my other cat, keeps my puppy in check, cleans the other cat's ears every night. I am so heartbroken and don't know what to do

I have no idea how to tell my 6yo son, he was his cat, he slept on his bed every night for 4 years and they were best mates. He was taken to school by my mother this morning and knows nothing, just that he had poorly legs??

He was honestly the sweetest cat you could ever meet, he would play with the kids outside and everyone who passed by would stop to stroke him. He's well known in the area just for being so lovely and he's gone, just like that.
I never thought this would happen to us. I've never even heard of it happening. I keep thinking what if he'd gone out last night?? He'd never have come back and would have died alone and wouldn't have been able to get home. I'm so glad he was in the house all night. But i would never expect this in a million years. It hurts so much

Pics i've posted: http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/22...l#post34213865
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/24...l#post34209054
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/22...l#post34214116

Raistlin · 30-06-2009, 08:18

So sorry to hear that

dilligaf1701 · 30-06-2009, 08:22

Sorry to hear that indeed

**Maggy J** · 30-06-2009, 08:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pia

I have no idea how to tell my 6yo son, he was his cat, he slept on his bed every night for 4 years and they were best mates. He was taken to school by my mother this morning and knows nothing, just that he had poorly legs??

The death of a pet is often the first experience the young have of confronting death and luckily your son has a smart mum who can use this to try and explain the cycle of life and death..

Just explain that every living thing eventually dies and that every living thing has a life span.His cat had just reached the end of his and that if he had lived on he would have been in too much pain...I'm sure you get the idea.

A funeral/memorial in the garden helps...well it did with my two kids.

The Hitman · 30-06-2009, 08:46

Sorry to hear about the sad loss

**Hugh** · 30-06-2009, 08:48

Awwww, Pia - so sorry to hear your sad news.

superbiatch · 30-06-2009, 09:02

Sorry to hear about your cat Pia, not sure how best to break it to your little one but I was cut up after my cat died suddenly. RIP Purry cat

**Paul M** · 30-06-2009, 09:13

Awwwww, sorry to hear Pia

30-06-2009, 09:14

sorry for your loss Pia

I dunno the details of this case but upon googeling cats have been presented to vets with this in this condition and it has been treated. I am a bit concerned that perhaps the PDSA vet did not offer treatment because he/she was a PDSA vet and the costs would have been high for the charity. I thought about this when I had Darla a decided to take out pet insurance just in case this happens

I apoligise if perhaps I should not have posted that but I think it may be something pet owners need to consider

joglynne · 30-06-2009, 09:43

So sorry Pia.

Roseblue · 30-06-2009, 10:32

Pia,

I'm sorry for your loss.
I feel for you all.

DaiNasty · 30-06-2009, 10:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pia

He was fine last night. He's only 4 i've had him since he was 8 weeks old, he's active and sweet and lovely and this morning he woke us up at 5am howling in my son's bedroom where he'd been sleeping. He had lost the use of his back legs - we thought he must have feel awkwardly and broken or dislocated his leg or even hips.

What an awful shock, and so young too.
I've outlived three of my cats now and it never gets any easier.

So sorry for your loss.

liamboyle06 · 30-06-2009, 10:48

sorry to hear that, I remember when my old faithful dog passed away, truly heart breaking.

Pia · 30-06-2009, 12:15

Thanks Maggy, he does have some concept of death already but we've never had to face it, apart from a goldfish, which i never really explained i just said it was old and flushed it down the loo.
I'm sure he will be fine but we haven't got the ashes or body (it would have cost too much money - how bad is that of me??) Tbh i find the whole keeping the body thing a bit morbid and left the room when they euthanised him.

Zing don't worry i was thinking the exact same thing, and almost blurted that i wanted a second opinion. Thing is he was so professional and was a senior vet surgeon so i didn't. I knew he was right

I've also done some extensive googling on the condition and came across a website that said it can be treated, but he did explain this to us - and also said it would cost a four figure sum and it's highly likely he'd never regain the use of his back legs. I was worried i'd done the wrong thing in letting him go, that's been my main upset - but after doing more research into it i do think his prognosis was very weak, and the treatment is very painful for him.

moiraf100 · 30-06-2009, 12:28

Oh Pia, that is so sad (((xx)))