Sudden death of my healthy Daisy Bear

Hello
Yesterday morning I woke up to find my 7 year old cat had died in her sleep.
She was healthy. It wasn't long since she had been to the vet & had lots of blood tests because I had been worried about how much water she had been drinking & her change in attitude (she became a bit needy- I wasn't too bothered though )
The tests all came back fine. She had worms they thought so I got her treated.

I am just very confused at the sudden death. I don't want to put her through an autopsy. I also feel guilty. Should I have known she was ill?? She was playing the night before.

I have never lost a cat before & I feel like my heart is broken & I can't stop crying. There was just me & her who lived together. So it's really hard. She saved me from serious depression & was my best friend to an extent as we lived together.

Has anyone experienced a sudden loss? Is this normal?

Also has anyone any tips on getting over this please? I feel in so much pain I feel so lonely even though I have lots of support...

Thanks.

I am very sorry for your sudden loss. Cats at that age become very thirsty due to diabetes or kidney problems or even the summer heat. It is a mystery since you just had blood work done. Please post what you found out. Again, I am very sorry, I have been there. I lost an eight-year-old cat with kidney disease & still hurts, after 14 yrs!!!

Hi thank you. I decided not to ask for an autopsy as didn't want to put my fur baby through that. And if it was something I could have foreseen then I'd never forgive myself. It's hard enough getting over them as it is. And if it's something the vet could have found with the blood tests I'd be too angry.
I have read some things that lead me to believe that sometimes these things happen. But it doesn't stop you questioning why does it? she was young at 7& it's just awful to lose her. She did go peacefully in her sleep so I am hoping that it is the case & I'd rather live with that rather than know if she suffered! It is hard as it could be something but I did test for diabetes & kidney disease at the last vets appointment (only about 2 months ago) so I'm hoping it was just a simple passing.
I sorry for your loss. I think I'll be the same. It's harder than I thought losing her. I think it's still shock

Oh, my, this is awful. My deepest condolences. Many cats have hidden heart disease. [emoji]128549[/emoji] How are you holding up?

I'm so, so sorry. Try to hold onto the fact that she had an amazing quality of life, that she had no illness or suffering and that she went absolutely peacefully. She couldn't have hope for a better life or a better home. Sometimes these things just happen. Nothing can make the pain go away. Just be kind to yourself, give yourself space to grieve, and remember her with love and happiness.

Rest in peace, beautiful girl

My condolences. It's very tough to lose your fur baby so unexpectedly and at a young age. Hopefully it's some consolation that she went peacefully.

When you lose a cat.....
I can't imagine how you feel, I know just thinking about losing my cat makes me feel sad. She left a paw print in your heart. I am so,sorry for your loss, we cry for our pets loss like they were a human friend we lost, it is okay too cry. She probably thought you were the best owner and now she is watching over you.
God bless you

Thanks Misterwhiskers. I think it was something like that and I can but hope it was peaceful. She looked it. I can't imagine her being in pain, it breaks my heart more It is just the shock as you don't expect when they healthy to just not be there one day…
Thanks Columbine I am going to make sure I look through the pics of her and the memories and try be happy I had her in my life rather than be angry she was taken from me.
Thanks jcat, yes I hope she passed happy and knew how much I loved her.
Thanks Arielthechunk22 I often dreaded this day but convinced myself that she was happy and healthy and had many years ahead.
She was my best friend and saw me through so much.
I just hope the tears stop as it is very painful.
Thank you all, you have helped

Hello,

I just read about your loss. My true friend, my beloved companion, my darling Jethro left this world on April 13, 2015. I am unable to stop crying. Like your sweet cat who saved you from serious depression Jethro banished my loneliness, pulled me out of depression. We feel pain and heartache. My deepest and heartfelt sympathy. There are many wonderful people on this site who share your loss.

If you have photographs of your cat, please post them. Visit this site as often as you can. 

Castle Cat (devoted servant of late Jethro)

Hello
I am so sorry for your loss. It is hard to see a time that I will stop crying so I understand where you are at!
Thank you for your message, it means a lot. I am very glad that I found this site. I was a bit lost and didn’t know where to go… it was the shock that was the worst and I am struggling to get the image of finding her out of my head. As suggested I think I need to remember the memories and so I will look at the pictures of the Daisy I knew and loved immensely.
Going through the stages of grief and currently feeling angry at why she was taken. I think I always thought I would know when she was going to go and have time to prepare myself - in many years time. I am not 100% she was 7 but the people I got her from said she was about 1 and I have had her 6 years.
It is harder when they were there for you and saved you. I didn’t mind if I was in on a sunny Saturday night on my own as I wasn't; I had her. She pulled me out of anxiety attacks at being on my own. I am just coming off the anti-depressants for a recent bout of anxiety so this is really a test! I am hating being home on my own as it seems so much more empty and last night I am sure that I heard her patter of feet on the way into the room from the hall. It was heartbreaking not to see her.
Tonight I am packing all her stuff away and storing at my parents house. I always thought I would get another cat straight away but I realise just how much Daisy meant to me.
I am fighting through being depressed again and hating being on my own. As I was not with her and I am realising that!
It is just so unfair.. So sudden and so cruel. No warning. Here is daisy last Saturday snuggled on my lap.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved Daisy Bear. I love that name. How sweet. It's never easy to lose anyone you love but when it's so sudden and without warning like that, it seems even worse. I've never lost a pet that way but that's pretty much exactly how I lost my husband. He was taking a nap and passed in his sleep. It turned out to be a blood clot in his lung. I was told by multiple doctors that his passing was quick and painless (for him. it was hell for us). I hope it was also quick and painless for your sweet kitty and it more than likely was. If there's a good way to go, that would be it. It means nothing that one was human and the other feline. loved ones are loved ones in my book and the loss is still tragic and very painful for those of us who get left behind. 

i don't think you "get over it". I think that it's something you learn to live with. There's always a pain there but it dulls over time. Time doesn't "heal all wounds" but it does make it easier to deal with. The best thing you can do is hold onto the good times. Have some little keepsakes tucked away like a collar with tags or a favorite toy. The time will come when thinking of Daisy Bear makes you smile and not cry. Out of the blue you will think of something silly she used to do and you'll find yourself laughing. You gave her a wonderful life that was full of love and friendship. hold onto that too. It's very easy to blame yourself for her passing. Please don't. it wasn't your fault. It's a demon I wrestle with myself and I don't recommend it. it's no fun and it helps no one. Take things day by day. If that is too much, go hour by hour or minute by minute. Do not be afraid to seek counseling if you need to. Like I said before. Just because it was a cat and not a person does not make it any less of a loss. Many people out there think it does but they are wrong and I pity them because they have never shared a bond with a pet like the ones we have with ours. If they did, they'd get it.  Also, Daisy Bear loved you (and still does) just as much as you love her. She would not want you to suffer. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself time to grieve for her. It will get better. I promise. 

RIP Daisy Bear. You were loved very much and you will not be forgotten. 

I can imagine what a shock it was to find your furry like that. It's hard to comprehend and believe when it happens like that. Go ahead and cry, it will heal you. Another cat might help, but not immediately. I think she would want you to have one, though, to love and keep you company.

She had a wonderful life and gave so much, as you gave so much, too.

Your are in my thoughts.

Just a thought: there was a phone number for a grief hotline posted yesterday . My vet said there are several of them. Might talking to someone help you right now?

Thank you sea turtle & Kat0121.
I am very sorry for your loss kat. You are torn between wanting some warning & knowing it was quick so they didn't suffer. Then there's the question we never get answered - why?
Thanks : Daisy was her name but as she was my little bear I often called her Daisy Bear affectionately.
I had wrapped Daisy in a fleece to take her to the vet. It was our fleece. I left it there. Then panicked about losing it so I went to the vets to pick it up. They told me that there were signs she was starting kidney failure. This was in March. I was angry no one had told me. But they said there were only signs. And usually it lasts a while. She was young to have it. I think before I got her she may have been hit by a car & that was the start. Her previous owners didn't particularly care for her. Anyway it was very sudden. It is likely that it came on quick & her kidneys just failed. Obviously I'm still asking why I didn't have more time & I'm just hoping that it was a case of just staying asleep. If she had continued life then she would have suffered eventually. Like humans there's no cure for kidney failure. I'd've had to have put her down which I think would be worse.
I can't get the image of seeing her lifeless out of my head. Hopefully in time it will either go or be less painful.
It is a little comforting knowing this though. And after crying a lot it felt a bit better.
I wrote her a diary yesterday that detailed everything that had happened since I found her & how I felt. Telling her how much I miss her. It helped. It reminded me of all her little quirks I missed.
Today I feel strange. I'm not crying I feel a little numb & in denial. It's like I've accepted she's not going to be here when I get out of bed. But I wish so much she was. I'm not sure if I like this as I feel guilty for not still crying... I do feel empty & have a pain in my chest where I think my hearts been ripped out.
She is collected today to take to be cremated. I have the details but yet to read them. I could do with some time off work to get myself together, but alas this is not possible. I could not be at home. Home is not home anymore.
I'd like to think she is watching over me like the picture I posted said. So part of me wants to be home but then I figure that she's with me in my heart & watching over me wherever I go.
Thank you all for your kind words. I think I'm just going to have to try work out my feelings & see where the grief takes me next I just hope she doesn't think I'm over her yet. I never will be. :'(

Ps sea turtle I found a site that offered bereavement support. I emailed. Talking was not an option. Hopefully I can get through a conversation about her without crying. Then I'll ring. Thanks for the tip

It's a blow to our hearts when something like this happens, you did all you could but even the strongest hearts must one day rest. The greatest thing we can all wish for is to die at home in our sleep, she was with the one she loved the most and where she felt the most comfortable. You gave her 7 years of love and care, she didn't ask for more, it was everything she wanted in life. In death she would want you you go on with your life, not dwell on the sadness and pain of your parting. You would want the same for anyone you love. I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers, take care....... RIP beautiful Daisy Bear, you were greatly loved!

Thank you it's still hard but it's a little easier. In just battling with guilt now at being "ok". Being at home is awful. Currently sat here & feel lost. She should be on my knee.
I am going to see a counsellor next week. I started a diary to her too. In hope that she is reading & hearing how hard my life is without her. And that I miss her. When I'm not crying it doesn't mean I don't miss her. My chest feels empty. I feel a little numb. My friends & family have been great. I hope they still are in a few weeks when I'm still affected by this!
Thank you all for your kind words

I'm so sorry for your loss.  Please don't feel guilty...you had no way of knowing what was to come.  I have also dealt with sudden loss and it is very difficult.  Marshmallow went from healthy one day to exhibiting signs of severe neurological trauma the next.  Since I wouldn't consent for an autopsy (though the vet offered it free, because he was curious), I'll never know what happened.  You were a blessing to beautiful Daisy.

So sorry for your loss Nurseangel it is the shock that I can't get over. I am glad that she didn't suffer though. I too wouldn't want an autopsy. She looked peaceful when I found her & she hopefully went very peacefully.
How do you move forward though? Everything reminds me of her. Coming home every night ends in me slumped down in floods of tears when I realise she isn't there to greet me. I hate being at home, I feel so lonely & Claustrophobic! I feel a constant pain in my chest..

Beautiful Daisy