Extreme Fear After Losing Our Cat

Hi Everyone,

First time poster here and I am not 100% clear in what I want to say, so please excuse the rambling. And if this should be in another thread, I'm happy to move it/have it moved.

Four weeks ago we had to put our cat, Anya, to sleep after a clot went to her back legs. She was almost 12 and had quite some heart issues (she had actually just started medication the week before).

Obviously we are very sad about this, but what I haven't been able to get over (and which seems to be getting worse), is the fear that something will go wrong with our other cat, who is almost 11. There hasn't been anything specific to make us feel like something is wrong with her but if she coughs or does anything that (I think) is out of the ordinary, I panic.

Fast forward a little to yesterday. Things had been going well, I was feeling much calmer, and after spending some time looking at cats up for adoption, we adopted a new cat. We brought her home yesterday (6 month old) and we let her be in the sanctuary room we set up (our bedroom - we usually sleep with the door closed anyway and it is the safest/quietest room). We knew she would be scared so we checked on her here and there and let her be. When we went to sleep, we equally "ignored" her and were treated to quite some vocalisations, visits on the bed, and she even rubbed against both our hands between 3-5am. All good things in our eyes. This morning she is back to her hiding spot and I plan to try the reading to her and blanket tip I saw on this forum.

However, yesterday evening our other cat vomited up some white foam.  I tried to stay calm and monitor for any other symptoms. She was happy to cuddle, purring, and ate her evening meal with no problem. But sometime in the middle of the night she threw everything up. I found some in her basket and then two piles in the hall. The food was lightly processed with no signs of blood or anything suspicious. We thought maybe it was a fur ball issue as she is now the sole groomer (apart from us brushing her!) whereas before Anya was the daily bath giver.

She seems to have poo'd fine in the night, has drank water today, was happy to be cuddled and was purring. She did make a cough/hack when she jumped down from the sofa but it was only the one. It is 14:08 here and as I type she is eating for the first time today (I was going to type and say she hasn't eaten yet today - maybe this forum is magical!).

Anyway, I was hoping for some reassurance and advice - about both situations I guess - the fear and the vomiting cat. I've introduced cats to each other before but in the state I am in, I'm sure I'll need reassurance there too. Sorry for being so needy! Going to go continue devouring all the forum posts now.

Thanks,

H.

After we lost Kitten I ended up taking our other cat to the vet and having a full workup done. It cost a fair amount of money but it also eased my fears. We had a full blood panel and a urine stick along with a fecal sample. So it counted as her yearly exam with some extra caution thrown in.

Mook our surviving cat suffered grief just like we were. We also added a new baby cat very shortly after. You're doing it right by keeping the away from each other.

Our vet brought up the subject of how Mook was dealing with the loss of her lifelong companion and adjusting to the new kitten in the home. Our vet sees each cat as an individual but she sees that they all interact and have an impact on each other.

I am sorry for your loss. Sudden loss of a 12 year family member is difficult to say the least.

Thank you so much @Kittens Mom. I was actually saying to my boyfriend the other day that maybe a checkup would make me feel better. I'm glad to hear it helped you. Thank you again for responding.

I'm so sorry you lost your Anya, they rule our hearts and our homes and it is devastating when we lose them. She is at peace though, knowing she was so loved and that you are passing down the legacy of love she left for you. 

Cats do throw up for many reasons, especially when older and their stomachs become a little more sensitive. My 15 year old throws up regularly and has done so for years, nothing has ever been found for a reason. Your cat could be nervous about the change in the household, She could have a hair ball, she could have developed a reaction to something she ate, in other words there are a thousand reasons for a cat to throw up and most are not serious. Monitor her, make sure she eats and drinks, and if things escalate bring her in for a checkup. I am betting on nerves, You are a good cat parent to be concerned, you will be blessed for loving and bringing these little ones into your life. All the luck!

I am so sorry for the distress this has been causing you!  I totally understand. I would get some Homeopet for Digestive Upsets from Amazon.  I have had great success with this product.  Most likely, though, it is the stress of having another cat in the house that is causing this.  (Homeopet also makes a D-Stress product".  Stress can manifest itself in many ways with a cat.  You can also get some Fel-i-way plug-ins for the house (must be one in each room she goes in).  This will put happy/contented pheromones in the air and help calm her down.  I would not stress over this.  If it continues then take her in for a blood test.  At her age, I would recommend it anyways.  11 is usually when any issues start showing themselves.  I normally adopt seniors, so have been through the end of life stages many, many times.  It is normal to be concerned but a comprehensive blood panel will let you know what, if anything, you may be dealing with.

Thank you @Di and Bob. I didn't even think about the fact that older cats' stomachs can be a bit more sensitive. We actually ended up going to the vet today and she seems to be feeling better tonight. Thank you again for your response. 

Thank you for your advice and the product recommendations @Catmom Marcia. We have been considering the defusers, but I hadn't heard of the Homeopet brand. Looks interesting. At the moment things seem to have calmed down (we did visit the vet today as well), but we are keeping an eye on the situation. You are very amazing to adopt senior cats. I take my hat off to you. Thank you again for the advice and suggestions. 

Thank you everyone for the comments. Yesterday evening while Amelia was eating she had a weird moment with her foot (my boyfriend was the one who saw it). Shortly after it seemed fine again but we decided to go to the vet anyway. She gave Amelia a good once over and an anti-sickness injection. She said otherwise that everything seemed find, but that of course if we noticed anything more to let them know. So overall I am feeling better than yesterday.  An added bonus is that last night the new cat gained loads of confidence and was rolling all over the bed purring and loved being petted. She spent the daytime back under the bed (daylight is scary!) but we are happy to see that she is gradually feeling a bit more confident as well. 

Again, thank you everyone!