Conference misery::feline_v1

    Is there a reason for you not wanting to do a necrospy?
    
    Jo

    Sandy, heart problems in cats are rare, but they do occur.
    
    The breathing heavy/panting are the same symptoms my 10 month old
    kitten Shelby had, before he died of a form of cardiomyopathy back
    in June.  He also cried unbelievably the entire way to the vet and
    once in the vets office.  At first my vet also cited the cause of
    death as an acute allergic reaction; however, after an autopsy was
    performed (at Tufts) they found a definite heart problem.  Because
    Shelby was a purebred, they feel his disease was genetically linked,
    but even mixed breed cats can have heart problems and most don't
    show up until later on in life.  Lots of cat books state cardiomyopathy
    (failure of the heart muscle) is an acquired disease; however, some
    experts feel it is gentic, not acquired.
    
    I can't remember if your base note stated that an autopsy had been
    performed.  Was there one?  Or did your vet just look him over upon
    your arrival?
    
    I am sorry to hear about Kitty's death.  It hurts to lose a furry
    friend so suddenly and unexpectedly.  You acted quickly and responsibly
    to Kitty's cries for help.  Take comfort in that and and remember
    the good times with Kitty.  He was lucky to have you for a "mommy."
    
    --Roberta
    
    
    

    Just re-read your base note, Sandy.  I, too, am curious as to why
    you didn't want an autopsy performed on Kitty?  My first thought
    when Shelby died was "HOW?"!  I was absolutely devasted and all
    I wanted the vets to do was tell me how and why my baby died.  My
    husband insisted on laying Shelby in his casket just perfectly and
    told me the incision from the autopsy wasn't pretty -- but at least
    we found out how he died.  If it was the incision that worried you
    and wanting to remember Kitty the way he was, I understand your
    hesitation, but believe me, it is better to know and learn from
    your experiences than choose to remain "ignorant" (bad choice of
    words I know -- please don't take it personally).
    
    --Roberta
    

    I'm terribly sorry about Kitty's death.  If it's possible, I do
    suggest you have an autopsy performed.  Whatever killed Kitty might
    be a danger to your remaining kitten, and the autopsy would help
    you find out.
    

    SONIA -- this is a typical Monday.  Sorry to keep addressing you
    as "Sandy."
    
    --Roberta (who should wake up and go back to sleep!)\

    While a lot of experts believe that cardiomyopathy is geneticly
    inherited, it is important to note that some forms of it can be acquired.
    As has been shown in recent studies, taurine deficiency can be a
    leading cause of one form of acquired cardiomyopathy.  I believe
    that form is called Dilated Cardiomopathy, but would have to look
    back to the notes on Cardio to verify that.
             
    I lost a 4 month old kitten back in early April.  He had seizures
    of varying degrees before I decided to put him to sleep.  Being
    a breeder, it was important for me to find out exactly what was
    the cause of his seizures.  A necropsy was performed, and the results
    indicated that he had died of Hydracephaly (water on the brain).
    Since there were no outward signs of his illness, there would have
    been no way for me to know what his problem was without the necrospy.
    His problem was congenital (meaning present at birth), so there
    is no reason to worry about any of my other cats becoming ill and
    suffering from the same thing.  In an otherwise horrible experience,
    I was able to find comfort in knowing that my other cats were not
    at risk.
    
    Jo
    

    Sonia,
    
         My heartfelt condolences upon losing Kitty.
    
         We lost Fluffy at 6� years of age; Tufts believes that it was a
    bone marrow disorder or a heart problem, as something caused the
    incredible anemia he had (he needed an immediate transfusion, but even
    that didn't save his life).  He had almost no blood in him when my
    husband brought him in (he had black lips and black paw pads, so it
    would have been impossible for us to have noticed).  He showed
    absolutely no sign of any problems; all three of our boys were lying
    around because of the awful heat wave.  That night Fluffy jumped off
    the table, walked into the living room and collapsed against the couch. 
    Needless to say, my husband rushed him to Tufts (I was in Montreal at
    the time, which makes it even more difficult).
    
         I can understand your not having Kitty autopsied; we didn't have
    Fluffy autopsied either.  Although we will always wonder, we just
    couldn't face having Fluffy "cut up", so to speak, just as my mother
    and I were very glad that the police didn't order an autopsy when my
    father died (in NYC, the police come when someone dies, and an autopsy
    is almost always ordered).  I respect others' wishes/needs/rights to 
    do so, it just isn't the thing for us.
    
         Again, so sorry for your loss.
    
                                     - Andrea
    

    The Vet at first had told me the same as note 3037.2 (acute allergic
    reaction).  After mentioning many things to him, he really didn't
    know what exactly caused it nor did he offer an autopsy.  I was 
    however, relieved that he did not offer the autopsy as I did "NOT"
    want my poor baby cut up after the fact.  There was nothing that the
    Vet could do at that point.  Kitty was fixed at 8 months old and has 
    never mated w/ a female cat.  I believe the Vet in that it was some 
    kind of a reaction to something.  If Willy were to be exposed to it 
    also- it would be too late for him also
    
    I don't mean to sound cruel, but I really don't believe in autopsies
    on the ones that I love.   I just felt that Kitty was at peace now.
    If it were a rare instance and the Vet recommended it I would have
    done so.
    
    Thanks for all your support!
    I really appreciate all the input.
    Sonia

    
    So sorry to hear about the loss of your Kitty.  It's so hard when
    they die unexpectedly.  Our thought and prayers are with you.
    
    Feline So Sad,
    
    Sue & Panther & Spot
      

    I was so sad to hear what happend to your Kitty.  It's so hard when
    you lose then at any age - but all the love and happines that they
    have given will be with you for ever.
    
    Love & Prayers,
    
    
    Giudi in S.F. (Pippin, Gino & Stitch)

    Our condolences on your loss.  May you provide such a loving home
    to another deserving kitty.
    
    Paula, Schnapps, Tequila and Rici.
    

    Thank you all so much for your condolences.  It's so nice to see that
    there are so many caring animal lovers out there.
    
    Thanks again.
    Sonia

    I am soo sorry to hear about Kitty.  You did what you could--even
    down to the Heimlich Maneuver.  Please accept our deepest sympathies.
    
    Jill
    

    Sonia,
    
    My tears and prayers are with you, too.
    
    Mary and the furry foursome
    

    
    	That sounds frighteningly reminiscent of my Malcolm, who passed
    away in '85.  Symptoms not quite the same, but the result was. 
    I also did not have an autopsy done, simply because it wasn't offered
    and I was too upset to request one.
    
    	Our condolences and sympathy.
    
    Bob & Smoke, Nightmare, Sneakers, Nova, & Ruffles (the wonder cat)
    

    sonia...
    
    deepest sympathy to you on the loss of your loved one. i understand
    and respect your decision against the autopsy.
    
    when cissy died, she was at university of georgia veterinary center
    (since none of the atlanta vetz could figure out what was wrong.) i
    wanted to know the cause, so i authorized the autopsy. despite the fact
    they were *still* not able to determine the cause of her decline, i was
    glad i allowed it.  cissy had ceased to be my cissy; she was out of
    pain and could be hurt no further.  but i hoped that the u.g.a. studentz 
    (the future vetz) could learn something from her.
    
    we care about you and share in your grief...
    
    diane, stella and stanley
                             

    Sonia -
      Just as I was thinking how good we were doing this quarter....
    I'm so sorry to hear about Kitty.  That must have been an awful
    experience for you.  I guess the only consolation is that she
    didn't suffer very long.
    
      Kitty is the first cat to have her name put on the Silver Lining
    Memorial List for this quarter.  She will be comemmorated with 
    this quarter's donation.  I hope that offers some small comfort.
    
      Nancy DC

    Sonia,
    
    	I'm sorry to hear about Kitty.  My prayers
        are with you.
    
    	Shelly, Selina, & Mijo

    Sonia, my condolences as well.  This had to be so hard for you.
    
    Flo & Oliver