It has been very hard for me to come back to this site and post about this, however, I feel it's time to share Spliffs story and celebrate his life with those of you who got to know him here, and those that are just hearing about him.
Spliff passed away in my arms December 4, 2009.
I had finished VA school in April 2009, and started working as a VA in a clinic here the next month. I brought both our kitties in to be vaccinated, and was told Spliff had a 3/6 systolic heart murmur that I was never informed of by our previous vet. With knowing this, and the outcome of heart issues, I prepared myself, but never dreamed he would go so soon. He showed no symptoms.
One evening in October after the boys had finished their evening snack, I found him sprawled in an odd position on the bed gasping and panting for air, and white gums, and unresponsive. We got him to the emergency clinic as fast as we could, and he seemed to somewhat recover on the way there, and I reluctantly kept him there overnight for an ECG (ultrasound) and monitoring. In two hours I got a call. Spliff had HCM. His murmur was now 5/6 and he was in heart failure. We were devastated.
The next morning I brought him to work with me, where we did more tests and bloodwork. He was the model patient, not a peep, or even a struggle (He was always good at the vet's!). We put him on fortekor and lasix to help his heart and any fluid in the lungs.
For the next month or so, he wasn't himself. Daily he would go into almost like fainting/ weakness spells, breathe heavy and loose co-ordination. We switched around his meds, and he did a bit better. His chances of surviving much longer were low, and all we could do at this point was make him as comfortable as possible, and snuggle and love him as much as we could.
On December 4th, I got home from work, and was sitting on the couch eating a bran muffin, and as always, shared the crumbs with him. as he was munching away, he gave me a weird look, and staggered off the table and went rigid and paddled on the floor, unlike his other fainting attacks. I scooped him up and got him on the bed, but he was quickly fading, and all I could do was try to comfort him and make these last moments peaceful. I held it together until Jubbs came up on the bed in a panic, nudging and kissing him and meowing his head off. He was losing his best friend, and I was losing one of mine. Crying my eyes out as he took his final breath.
I still can't believe my beautiful boy is gone, and it kills me how much we miss him. I'm content with the fact that he's no longer in pain. I'm also honoured he chose to spend his final moments with me, sharing a muffin, what a good way to go! And I'm so thankful he didn't go through what I've seen so many other HCM cats do at the end: hours of respitory distress, saddle thrombosis (blood clot cutting off circulation to the lower half of the body causing them to become paralysed). His little heart just couldn't take it anymore and finally gave out. I must say he is always in my thoughts, and I know he will watch over us, Jubbs and his new friend Lazarus, and help guide cats who need our help into our lives.
Play peacefully over the bridge, beautiful boy, you were such an important part of my life and provided me with so much love, laughs, and always were there to comfort me, or listen to my woes. I'll never forget what an impact you've made on me, or how loyal and loving you were. You've earned your kitty-angel wings.
Always loving you.
Spliff passed away in my arms December 4, 2009.
I had finished VA school in April 2009, and started working as a VA in a clinic here the next month. I brought both our kitties in to be vaccinated, and was told Spliff had a 3/6 systolic heart murmur that I was never informed of by our previous vet. With knowing this, and the outcome of heart issues, I prepared myself, but never dreamed he would go so soon. He showed no symptoms.
One evening in October after the boys had finished their evening snack, I found him sprawled in an odd position on the bed gasping and panting for air, and white gums, and unresponsive. We got him to the emergency clinic as fast as we could, and he seemed to somewhat recover on the way there, and I reluctantly kept him there overnight for an ECG (ultrasound) and monitoring. In two hours I got a call. Spliff had HCM. His murmur was now 5/6 and he was in heart failure. We were devastated.
The next morning I brought him to work with me, where we did more tests and bloodwork. He was the model patient, not a peep, or even a struggle (He was always good at the vet's!). We put him on fortekor and lasix to help his heart and any fluid in the lungs.
For the next month or so, he wasn't himself. Daily he would go into almost like fainting/ weakness spells, breathe heavy and loose co-ordination. We switched around his meds, and he did a bit better. His chances of surviving much longer were low, and all we could do at this point was make him as comfortable as possible, and snuggle and love him as much as we could.
On December 4th, I got home from work, and was sitting on the couch eating a bran muffin, and as always, shared the crumbs with him. as he was munching away, he gave me a weird look, and staggered off the table and went rigid and paddled on the floor, unlike his other fainting attacks. I scooped him up and got him on the bed, but he was quickly fading, and all I could do was try to comfort him and make these last moments peaceful. I held it together until Jubbs came up on the bed in a panic, nudging and kissing him and meowing his head off. He was losing his best friend, and I was losing one of mine. Crying my eyes out as he took his final breath.
I still can't believe my beautiful boy is gone, and it kills me how much we miss him. I'm content with the fact that he's no longer in pain. I'm also honoured he chose to spend his final moments with me, sharing a muffin, what a good way to go! And I'm so thankful he didn't go through what I've seen so many other HCM cats do at the end: hours of respitory distress, saddle thrombosis (blood clot cutting off circulation to the lower half of the body causing them to become paralysed). His little heart just couldn't take it anymore and finally gave out. I must say he is always in my thoughts, and I know he will watch over us, Jubbs and his new friend Lazarus, and help guide cats who need our help into our lives.
Play peacefully over the bridge, beautiful boy, you were such an important part of my life and provided me with so much love, laughs, and always were there to comfort me, or listen to my woes. I'll never forget what an impact you've made on me, or how loyal and loving you were. You've earned your kitty-angel wings.
Always loving you.
I cried reading Spliff's story... It is so hard hun. I've been there and have also had a kitty die in my arms. He is no longer suffering. 
