Young cat died suddenly

cpheonix

My 4 year old, indoor cat died suddenly and without warning. Been going through my mind what happened as she did not display any signs of ill health or change in habits/breathing/eating. She ate her food as normal (hills science plan) and did her business in the morning without issues. Then a few hours later she went to our bed, layed out and died. Very upset and distressing as there was no cry out or anything so assumed at first she was sleeping.

The vet said she was big but not overweight for an indoor cat and said it was probably heart disease. Googling comes up with cardiomyopathy but wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar and agree with that?

The only thing to add is that I have a one year old who liked to try and stroke her but she always ran away. Could stress have played a part?

UKTigerlily

I'm so sorry x I personally don't think stress would do that as everyone & everything has stress! I once had an 8 year old male who had to move in with three other males, that was stress!

It's natural to wonder if what we did/didn't do contributed, but I really don't think so. Was she pedigree?

LusciousLuce

So sorry to read this, what an awful shock for you. It's a normal and understandable response to go back over everything in case there was anything you missed. Your vet is right about heart disease being a likely cause. The problem with heart disease and cats is that cats are very good at hiding the symptoms from us. With dogs it's easier to spot - they might tire more quickly on walks, that sort of thing - but with cats we don't have the opportunity to spot these sigbs, especially in a creature that sleeps about 16 hours a day anyway.

When we take on a pet, we do so knowing that their life span is going to be less than ours. That's why quality of life is more important than quantity. I'm so sorry your cat died at a young age, but if she was happy and loved and fulfilled as a cat - even though it was a short lifespan - then you've done your job and that might bring you some comfort when you get over the shock and upset.

Silvertabby

So sorry. Some cats - especially pedigree British Short Hairs - are predisposed to cardiomyopathy.

Our own British Blue died at 14 from must have been heart failure - she was fine and playful in the morning, and 'asleep' in her bed when we got home.

Please take comfort from the fact that it was quick, and that her life, although short, was a happy one.

peachyprice

Do you have any lilies in the house?

Silvertabby

Do you have any lilies in the house? Posted by peachyprice

Lilies (especially the pollen) cause kidney failure, so there would have been symptoms.

If OP's cat had felt poorly, she would have crawled into a corner to hide. The fact that she climbed onto the bed sounds like she just wanted a nap - and died suddenly, probably in her sleep.

cpheonix

Hi all, thanks for the replies.

No lillies in the flat and she was a mixed tortoiseshell and white. We did recently give raisins to our daughter and thought maybe we dropped one and the cat ate it, but from what the vet told us the symptoms don't match up.

Obviously devastated as we had her from a kitten. Absolutely no signs of her acting differently. Just really shocked.

mtbbuxton

A few years ago I lost my 5 year old indoor cat very suddenly too. She was playing with our other cat when without any warning, she collapsed. Her death was instant and I put it down to a heart attack. She came from a house where there were always kittens and I strongly suspect they were all inbred.
It's so difficult to comprehend how a young, apparently healthy cat can die without any warning but I took comfort from knowing she'd had 5 very happy years with us.

M x

krlyr

Might not be feasible now, but there is always the option of a post-mortem to find out cause of death in situations like this. It's a very personal choice - I had one done for a house rabbit before as I wanted to be sure it wasn't something contagious (he was the second bunny to die suddenly), and the results actually helped with diagnosing and treating the other rabbits in the house. But it could also help provide some closure where the death is so sudden and unexplainable.

From my non-veterinary POV, I'd say chances are it was probably something like a heart attack or similar too, if there were no symptoms, no signs of organ failure, etc.

Bath_cube

I am so sorry this has happened to you. My love to you and yours xx

Deep_In_Debt

It could be cardiomyopathy. My elderly cat died suddenly in her sleep earlier this year. I know yours was young but I think it is not uncommon in cats of any age. My vet assumed that my cat had died from a heart attack and assured me it had been a peaceful passing - she had been healthy for her age and had been eating well beforehand so no hint of anything wrong. I take a lot of comfort in that she passed peacefully in her favourite place and the fact that I had a good 16 years with her.