My heart is broken

Snuggles

We lost our beloved cat Maisie yesterday, in circumstances which seem so hard to bear. She was only 3, and had been referred to a specialist after suffering loss of balance. We were worried she had a brain tumour, but an MRI scan on Tuesday showed she had middle ear disease and nasopharyngeal polyps. They said this was the least bad thing it could have been, we were so relieved.

She needed an operation called a ventral bulla osteotomy to remove the polyps and infection, which is complex surgery, but we were told that the long term prognosis was really good, and she should recover well.

They kept her on Tuedsay night and did the op yesterday afternoon, and successfully removed the polyps. They found nothing else untoward and we should have been bringing her home today to recover. But I got a phonecall yesterday afternoon to say that she had died as she came round from the anasthetic. She had been stable through the operation but then as she was waking up she began to lose blood, they think she may have had a large blood clot in her lungs, her heart stopped and they could not revive her. They said it is a very rare complication of being under anaesthetic, the vet sounded upset himself about what had happened.

We are in shock and I have laid awake crying most of the night. When we took her for the MRI there was never any doubt that we would be bringing her home no matter what they found. Even if it was cancer or a brain tumour, she was always going to be coming home, and we would have managed it and cared for her until the time came to say goodbye (we would not have let her suffer any pain).

It is just so painful that we took her there not knowing she would never come home, and we didn't have the chance to say goodbye. She was terrified of the vets, and I am devastated that the last two days of her life were spent in fear in a strange environment and not at home with us. I am also devastated that she died in such a horrible way, and I keep thinking about what she might have been aware of and what she went through.

I just can't believe we will never see her again. Everywhere I look I expect to see her. She was a beautiful, loving and affectionate cat who followed me everywhere, and always wanted to be around us. And she was going to be ok, and coming home today. I just can't stop crying and I can't believe this has happened.

I don't know why I'm posting this, I just needed to.

Polmop

So so sorry for you, at least she wouldnt have known any pain

lisajane8482

I didn't want to read and run. I'm so sorry for your loss x

ineed

Couldn't read and run, I'm so sorry this has happened . Xx

lynnemcf

I am sorry for your loss. I know that vets go thru the risks when we sign the consent form, but we never think it will be our beloved pet that will be that one in a million to be ill after surgery.

Carcluster

Really sorry. Know how you are feeling. We make the best decision we can at the time, the vets do the same I'm sure - it's a long time to study to qualify so there must be the motivation. I'm sure also that she would know that you did what you thought was the best thing. And you did.

Faith177

So sorry for your loss and totally understand why you are so upset.

I would think that as she was just coming round she would have still been a little out of it so wouldn't have known what was happening. I hope that brings you a little comfort.

mel48rose

I'm so sorry for your sad loss. I am a cat owner and empathise with you. You have to tell yourself that you did what was best for her and tried to give her the best outcome. Your pain will ease in time and you have lovely happy memories of your beloved.

Snuggles

Faith177 wrote: »

So sorry for your loss and totally understand why you are so upset.

I would think that as she was just coming round she would have still been a little out of it so wouldn't have known what was happening. I hope that brings you a little comfort.

Thank you, that is what I am hoping. I avoided asking the vet, as I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer, but then of course your imagination starts working overtime.

Faith177

Snuggles wrote: »

Thank you, that is what I am hoping. I avoided asking the vet, as I wasn't sure I wanted to hear the answer, but then of course your imagination starts working overtime.

Of course it would that's a natural reaction. It might be worth asking the vet to settle your mind, but when you think what you're like after a minor operation and she was having quite a big procedure I don't think she would have known anything

Big hugs to you darling xx

DreamerV

I'm so sorry. I'm crying for you and her