Hello all. I'm new to the forum, and hoping this will help with the grieving process... I hope this long post isn't too much. It just feels important to reflect and put it all into words.
My sweet, floppy, cuddly baby Louise was with me for only 7 years. Until Monday, she was healthy and happy (save for a bit of extra "love" around the belly, as indoor house cats are prone to). Never in her 7 years had she shown signs of illness - in fact, the other cat parents I know have commented on how remarkably happy and low-maintenance she always was. A true charmer of everyone who entered her life.
On Monday afternoon, we found her wailing in the hallway, dragging herself to us by her front legs. She suffered what we later learned was an ATE, or Saddle Thrombus. We rushed her to the hospital where every test was performed. Over the hours we spent in the waiting area we were presented with more and more tragic news. She had a heart murmur, heart disease, and slightly elevated blood pressure (likely from the terrifying experience and trip to the vet she went through).
They kept her overnight, and she seemed to respond relatively well to treatment. Well enough for her to be discharged the following day, although the prognosis was cautiously optimistic at best.
We took her home and administered the regiment of medications, pain killers, shots, and physical therapy. I stayed with her, carefully cuddled her, and monitored for all of the warning signs.
24 hours later, her breathing became shallow and rapid, she began panting, and her eyes were filled with terror. I've never seen her so scared [emoji]128575[/emoji] I made the call to the vet, and she had me bring Louise back immediately.
Within minutes, they brought us back to her. She was given more pain killers, and oxygen, but they told us the devastating news that we would "lose her any minute." Given the option of letting her body fail her while her mind was conscious, or putting her mind to rest first, we opted for euthanasia.
I laid by her side while she passed, and held her, as my "little spoon" - her favorite place to curl up every morning and night.
I'm devastated. She was my first pet, my only constant for 7 years. There is some comfort in having had an opportunity to say goodbye, but knowing how much she struggled in her last 48 hours is heartbreaking.
Has anyone else lost a cat to HCM or Saddle Thrombus? I was told there was nothing more I could have done to prevent or treat this, but of course my mind is wracked with guilt despite the rational information.
I know that all of the stages of grief will lessen in time, but it would be helpful to know I'm not alone in this.
My sweet, floppy, cuddly baby Louise was with me for only 7 years. Until Monday, she was healthy and happy (save for a bit of extra "love" around the belly, as indoor house cats are prone to). Never in her 7 years had she shown signs of illness - in fact, the other cat parents I know have commented on how remarkably happy and low-maintenance she always was. A true charmer of everyone who entered her life.
On Monday afternoon, we found her wailing in the hallway, dragging herself to us by her front legs. She suffered what we later learned was an ATE, or Saddle Thrombus. We rushed her to the hospital where every test was performed. Over the hours we spent in the waiting area we were presented with more and more tragic news. She had a heart murmur, heart disease, and slightly elevated blood pressure (likely from the terrifying experience and trip to the vet she went through).
They kept her overnight, and she seemed to respond relatively well to treatment. Well enough for her to be discharged the following day, although the prognosis was cautiously optimistic at best.
We took her home and administered the regiment of medications, pain killers, shots, and physical therapy. I stayed with her, carefully cuddled her, and monitored for all of the warning signs.
24 hours later, her breathing became shallow and rapid, she began panting, and her eyes were filled with terror. I've never seen her so scared [emoji]128575[/emoji] I made the call to the vet, and she had me bring Louise back immediately.
Within minutes, they brought us back to her. She was given more pain killers, and oxygen, but they told us the devastating news that we would "lose her any minute." Given the option of letting her body fail her while her mind was conscious, or putting her mind to rest first, we opted for euthanasia.
I laid by her side while she passed, and held her, as my "little spoon" - her favorite place to curl up every morning and night.
I'm devastated. She was my first pet, my only constant for 7 years. There is some comfort in having had an opportunity to say goodbye, but knowing how much she struggled in her last 48 hours is heartbreaking.
Has anyone else lost a cat to HCM or Saddle Thrombus? I was told there was nothing more I could have done to prevent or treat this, but of course my mind is wracked with guilt despite the rational information.
I know that all of the stages of grief will lessen in time, but it would be helpful to know I'm not alone in this.
