My poor cat has gone

[Getoutanddrive]

Hi.

I have no one else I can talk to about this and I’m looking for a huge hand hold.

My 8 year old Maine coon was diagnosed with heart failure yesterday. He was swelling up, couldn’t breathe properly and wasn’t able to jump or clean himself properly though he continued eating and enjoyed being around me still.

The prognosis was bleak and I was told that euthanising was the kindest thing as he was so unwell.

Today my boy was put to sleep.

It’s all happened so fast and I feel I’ve made the worst decision ever. I’m a single mum and that cat was like my only company after the kids had gone to sleep. He’s been my baby for 8 years and watched me go through so much.

I wish I could have helped him sooner but I honestly couldn’t. I miss him so much and it probably sounds mental but I just can’t believe we’re going to live our lives without him there. He was such a wonderful and gentle cat. I’m so annoyed at myself for not helping sooner and I’m annoyed he’s gone so quickly. I hate that this has happened. It all feels so unfair.

I absolutely understand. Animals are brilliant at hiding illness - it's an evolutionary trait - so we don't pick up on it until it's way too late.

Be thankful you had him in your life, remember him how he was for 99% of his time with you and know that that his love for you and vice versa was the best.

I'm so sorry about the death of your beloved boy.
I'm absolutely sure that you made the right decision for him.

Sorry for your loss 💐

Cats hide their illness very well. Its a shock for you that he's gone so suddenly. Losing a pet can be very hard, particularly one we have had a real emotional bond with. I'm sorry for your loss

I feel for you, OP. One of our Maine Coons was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy when he was 18 months old; the condition doesn't always progress and some cats live a normal life. Yesterday he collapsed, panting and drooling, open mouthed. He spent the rest of the day being treated by the vet, who managed to stabilise him...but he's on borrowed time and will need daily diuretics for the rest of his life, which we've been told is best thought of as months, not years.

The thing about MCs is they're such huge characters, soppy clowns of the cat world, always there "helping", and when they leave there's a huge hole in our lives. This is the worst time, but it does get better and you'll have happy memories - and maybe, eventually, another "Coonie" to laugh at and love.

I'm so very sorry OP. I've lost two cats in the past six months - the oldest and the youngest - and my last one is ill at the moment - I'm hoping it's not serious, but he will have to have blood tests next week. In fact I have lost four in three and a half years.

You made the right decision for your boy. Celebrate the time you had with him, and the life you gave him.

As someone who has loved and lost cats (and other pets) over the years, I am sorry for your loss.
It's been sudden and you need time to adjust.
Remember, you DID get help for him at the earliest opportunity. Putting him to sleep was the kind thing to do.
If you continue to struggle, there is Pet Bereavement counselling (Blue Cross and other organisations.)
Sending a big hand hold and love
Xxx

One of my Persians also had HCM. Not that you'd have know it. She was only eight. So I felt cheated of the years she could have had. It's just the worst thing, be kind to yourself.

I’m so sorry OP. We went through something very similar a few weeks ago, and lost our 12yo cat to a sudden serious illness. Be kind to yourself, allow yourself space to be sad and to grieve. They are a part of the family and their loss is felt deeply. If my experience is anything to go by, it will get easier.

I'm so sorry for your loss. My cat is my company too so I understand how much you'll be hurting x

So sorry. Such a precious pet. Sending love x

So sorry for your loss x

Oh sweetie - so sorry about your poor cat. If you re-post this in The Litter Tray topic you will have more activity.

Sending you hugs OP, I understand how difficult it can be 😞Just try to hold onto the fact that you did the kindest thing for your furbaby despite the devastation for you. Try to look after yourself in the next few days, losing a loved pet is often on a par with losing a person but some people don't understand that. Sending you hugs from our cats x

I'm so sorry for your loss.

You made the only decision you could make - please don't beat yourself up about it. Heart failure can show no symptoms for ages and then come on suddenly. I know just what you mean about the bleak feeling of your cat no longer being there - it's like looking down a long, grey, empty road. I cried on and off for weeks when I lost my last boy. There is no easy way through it, you just have to allow yourself to grieve and let time do its work.

In time, you may feel the right thing to do is to fill the cat-shaped hole in your life with a new cat to love - you'll know if and when the time is right, and then, you'll find the right cat will come along.

For now, remember that your boy had a happy life filled with love and there was nothing more you could have given.