I Lost My Merlot This Morning

I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet boy.  RIP Merlot.  

what a handsome little man he was, I am sorry for your loss.

Thank you, Tamu708 and Zed Xyzed. I really appreciate your sentiment

Hello,  My Deepest sorry to you, I lost my cat Romeo of 14 years to CKD.  No matter what it is, its not easy they are a part of you and family, I hurt for everyone that has lost such a precious soul.   You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thank you very much, Romeo911

I won't comment on your vets because I don't know what they did or said, but I want to make sure you understand what causes a saddle thrombus and how it can be treated:

Due to genetics, some cats develop a form of heart disease in which the cardiac cells die.  As they die, the heart's ability to pump blood deteriorates, so blood doesn't leave the heart as well as it should.  In essence, blood pools a bit in the heart and forms a clot.  Eventually, the clot is ejected from the heart and travels through the arterial system, getting stuck somewhere.  Where it gets stuck is a factor of size and just (un)luck.  A very common location is where the aorta splits in two at the lower back feeding the hind legs -- that's where a "saddle thrombus" forms.

The clot, lodged in an artery, prevents blood flow into the body beyond that point, and blood that makes its way back to the heart via the veinous system backs up, much like water in plumbing.  You have the same volume of blood, but you have less room for it to flow into, so eventually plasma leaks into the lungs and the cat will begin drowning.  Also, the heart's beating will be compromised as pressure builds up.

A thrombus can be dissolved with blood thinners such as warfarin, but whether the cat survives depends largely on how quickly you do this once the clot is thrown from the heart.  Most vets will tell you to euthanize your cat rather than treat the clot.  I was told that and demanded they dissolve the clot, which they did, and my cat survived (he spent five days at the emergency hospital and had to have a toe amputated due to necrosis from the lack of oxygen to his paw).  From that point he had to take all sorts of cardiac medications.  He lived 16 more months, and I made sure he got extra love and attention, but eventually the medications simply could not compensate for the deterioration of his heart and he started throwing micro-clots.  Sadly, I waited 12 hours too long, and he was suffering before he was euthanized (hypoxic and with fluid building up in his lungs).  I have pictures of him during that last hour of his life, and he looks so sad.  I *very* rarely look at the pictures, but taking them was my way of saying I was there with you during the good times and the bad.

So, I don't know whether your vet tried to dissolve the clot, or whether your cat would have survived the treatment, but I do know that the disease is progressive and cannot be cured.

All that said, I am sorry your friend went through this.  I joined this site because of the death of a cat unrelated to the one who had cardiomyopathy -- and I can tell you that you've got friends here who will always have your back when you're feeling sad about your cat -- we understand.

Thank you very much for the information, Cataan. The ER Vet said that along with that, he had some kind of immune system problem & that his blood pressure & other vital signs were so low that they didn't know if he would make it through the night even with treatment.. now whether they were honest on that, I'm not sure. But, I did see his quality of life the last few days before it happened. He went from running around, purring, playing, eating & drinking properly, & using the bathroom properly to refusing to eat or drink (I had to try to force food & water in him & water was his favorite thing in the world), using the bathroom outside his box, swaying, & becoming inattentive to his favorite toys & me.... I knew he was suffering & I loved him so much. It put a huge strain on my heart to see him like that. But I did everything his regular vet told me to do & more. I brought him in 3 times in a week & they didn't act like it was a big deal. So that's why I think he might have had some underlying immune system disorder like they said along with the heart disease. I really tried my best for my Merlot. I really really, with all of my soul, wish I wouldn't have had to let him go, but I had to put my faith in those vets. But thank you so much for the kind words & the information. I have his ashes & picture next to me now. It gets a little easier every day, but I still wish that I'd wake up & he'd be by my side.

​Im so sorry merlon passed yesterday. My cat i lost last sat. Can really understand how your feeling my cat was 20 years old. I'm heartbroken she was such a huge part of our family. I think rosie was poorly for a month the vet thought she had a minor stroke gradualay she got worse we had to call the emergeny vet she looked paralised and I knew she was suffering.Although her time had come was the hardest decision I had to make was to put her to sleep was so upset asked my hubby to take her. Since then have a feeling so guilty, upset, cying all the time miss her so much. I really hope she has crossed the bridge

So sorry for your loss of Merlot. There really isn't a cure for one's loss. Time does soften it some. I lost Boney Girl last year and Xena this year. Here is a list of things I have done or are doing to help myself:

1. Cry. Feel what you feel.

2. Have a memorial service---privately or with folks who understand.

3. Gather all pictures and videos in one place/file.

4. Pick a place on the wall and hang the best pictures.

5. Write---something private to help you remember or maybe something to share with others.

6. Join a cat forum---to support yourself, to support others and to learn.

7. Secure a keepsake. I have Boney's first vaccine tag on a cord around my neck.

8. Talk about her/him to those who understand and will listen.

9. Take care of and visit the grave or urn.

10. Plant something in their memory. I have catnip, some grasses and 100 daffodils around my girl's graves.

11. Celebrate the day they entered your life or some other special day.

12. Drink. (this is not good advice, but helps some of us for a few minutes)

13. Get one of the many photo products offered by the photo places. I'm thinking about a pillow print.

14. Get a tribute/memorial cattoo.

15. Remember.

16. Help another cat when ready.

rosiejones said:

​Im so sorry merlon passed yesterday. My cat i lost last sat. Can really understand how your feeling my cat was 20 years old. I'm heartbroken she was such a huge part of our family. I think rosie was poorly for a month the vet thought she had a minor stroke gradualay she got worse we had to call the emergeny vet she looked paralised and I knew she was suffering.Although her time had come was the hardest decision I had to make was to put her to sleep was so upset asked my hubby to take her. Since then have a feeling so guilty, upset, cying all the time miss her so much. I really hope she has crossed the bridge

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Thank you Rosiejones. I'm sorry for your loss as well. Your baby is in heaven now with my Merlot. Maybe they're friends up there

Boney Girl Dad said:

So sorry for your loss of Merlot. There really isn't a cure for one's loss. Time does soften it some. I lost Boney Girl last year and Xena this year. Here is a list of things I have done or are doing to help myself:

1. Cry. Feel what you feel.
2. Have a memorial service---privately or with folks who understand.
3. Gather all pictures and videos in one place/file.
4. Pick a place on the wall and hang the best pictures.
5. Write---something private to help you remember or maybe something to share with others.
6. Join a cat forum---to support yourself, to support others and to learn.
7. Secure a keepsake. I have Boney's first vaccine tag on a cord around my neck.
8. Talk about her/him to those who understand and will listen.
9. Take care of and visit the grave or urn.
10. Plant something in their memory. I have catnip, some grasses and 100 daffodils around my girl's graves.
11. Celebrate the day they entered your life or some other special day.
12. Drink. (this is not good advice, but helps some of us for a few minutes)
13. Get one of the many photo products offered by the photo places. I'm thinking about a pillow print.
14. Get a tribute/memorial cattoo.
15. Remember.
16. Help another cat when ready.

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Thank you for the help. You gave me some ideas of some things I'd like to do for him. I'm still very sad. I keep having dreams about him. But, I have gotten even closer to my other cat, Asti because of this. I hope I'm doing a good job of making him happy.