I am so sad I can't stop crying.

My 8 year old Chaplin died suddenly and unexpectedly Thursday night. My guess it was hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Years ago he was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect. But he never displayed any signs of illness. No shortness of breath or breathing issues. He appeared to be very strong and healthy. But on Monday morning , He laid down while drinking his water. However he was back to his normal playful self afterwards until Thursday afternoon when he did not come down for dinner at his usual time. One hour later, he was hungry and ate normally. Later that night, he cuddled with me and he seemed fine. Then my husband and I had a loud fight and Chaplin jumped off the bed and had what appeared to be a stroke or heart attack. Fortunately it happen so quickly and any pain he had was brief. But I am in such mental pain. I feel guilty about the stress that caused him to die. And I wish I brought him to a cardiologist to have his heart assessed and maybe get him beta blockers or baby aspirin. I loved him so much. He was so fun and playful. I never had a cat like him. I miss him so much and I can't stop crying.

I'm so sorry for your loss of your beloved Chaplin. Please try not to give in too much to your regrets. Chaplin had a happy life, he was loved and well cared for. I'm sorry he left you so young.

I'm very sorry for your loss of Chapin. Please stop kicking yourself - chances are he would have passed away even without the fight. Things like beta blockers and aspirin may extend the life of a cat with HCM, but they don't halt its progress. What's important is that he went quickly without suffering.
RIP, Chapin.

aww. My condolences. You were lucky to have a great cat for that long, I know it feels too soon, but cats with hcm can pass away sooner.

His essence will never be gone, as long as you keep your memories.

I wish I had some words of wisdom to lessen the pain of your loss. I know it is particularly hard to lose a young cat, when he should have been in his prime.

I'm really, really sorry about your loss.  Please don't try to blame yourself, I do this everytime I lose an animal so I'm an expert at it.  It doesn't help.  My vet told me one time something that stuck with me and maybe it will help you...I was putting down my baby boy, he had renal failure and had reached the end stages.  I was crying so hard and so devastated, I keep trying to figure out one more thing I could do to save him.  She set me down in a chair, stared me down and told me "I can tell you really love your cat, and I can tell he loves you but you cannot stop mortality".  It really sunk in that day.  In some way it really comforted me to hear that.  One fight or a moment of stress didn't cause your kitty to die, it was just his time to go on.  I hope you find comfort in your love for him and the love I know he felt for you.  Feel better soon.

Couchcat said:

I'm really, really sorry about your loss.  Please don't try to blame yourself, I do this everytime I lose an animal so I'm an expert at it.  It doesn't help.  My vet told me one time something that stuck with me and maybe it will help you...I was putting down my baby boy, he had renal failure and had reached the end stages.  I was crying so hard and so devastated, I keep trying to figure out one more thing I could do to save him.  She set me down in a chair, stared me down and told me "I can tell you really love your cat, and I can tell he loves you but you cannot stop mortality".  It really sunk in that day.  In some way it really comforted me to hear that.  One fight or a moment of stress didn't cause your kitty to die, it was just his time to go on.  I hope you find comfort in your love for him and the love I know he felt for you.  Feel better soon.

Click to expand...

I think your vet is very sensitive and wise and I can actually find sense in those words having lost two cats at a young age! You make them house cats to protect them but cannot protect aginst FIV and Cancer.

Thank you for this post, it has made me think a little differently and will hopefully help me cope with future losses!

Mandy

I´m so sorry for your lost....
My deep condolences....

Thank you to everyone for their kind thoughts.  I am feeling better knowing that I gave Chaplin a wonderful life.  He will always be a joyful part of my life memories.

I don't really now what to say except I am sorry he died so young. We recently lost one of our cats to a stroke and he was only 11 so I can guess how bad you feel.

Chaplin