facing another heartbreak

conniec. · #1 11-02-2009, 07:50 PM

just 3 weeks after losing my beloved kitty, holly, my other kitty, Zac, has become very ill. it was weird, for the first week and a half, he didnt know the other kitty was gone, towards the end she spent most of her time up in my room, and he was down stairs...but then he started acting strange, crying, roaming around the house, i believe he was missing her...but physically i thought he was ok, until last week, he stopped eating, i took him to the vet and they gave him fluids and a steroid to stimulate his appetite...he was a bit better for a few days, and then over the weekend i noticed his eyes looked very strange and he wasnt eating. last nite he cried all through the nite; this morning he couldnt walk very well and seemed very weak...i rushed him to the vet and they say he was very dehydrated they gave him fluids and a long acting steroid, but basically there isnt much more they could do...i will continue to take him for fluids this week, but i think his little heart is broken...is it common for animals of the same age, she was 18 he is 17, to pass within days or weeks of each other?? i am hoping he will come out of this...his blood work was ok, but the kidneys were slightly elevated....i just went through this devastation and didnt think i would be going through it again so soon...

**TIFFERS** · #2 11-02-2009, 09:17 PM

Do you know if they checked your kitty for a thyroid problem?

special · #3 11-02-2009, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by conniec.

just 3 weeks after losing my beloved kitty, holly, my other kitty, Zac, has become very ill. it was weird, for the first week and a half, he didnt know the other kitty was gone, towards the end she spent most of her time up in my room, and he was down stairs...but then he started acting strange, crying, roaming around the house, i believe he was missing her...but physically i thought he was ok, until last week, he stopped eating, i took him to the vet and they gave him fluids and a steroid to stimulate his appetite...he was a bit better for a few days, and then over the weekend i noticed his eyes looked very strange and he wasnt eating. last nite he cried all through the nite; this morning he couldnt walk very well and seemed very weak...i rushed him to the vet and they say he was very dehydrated they gave him fluids and a long acting steroid, but basically there isnt much more they could do...i will continue to take him for fluids this week, but i think his little heart is broken...is it common for animals of the same age, she was 18 he is 17, to pass within days or weeks of each other?? i am hoping he will come out of this...his blood work was ok, but the kidneys were slightly elevated....i just went through this devastation and didnt think i would be going through it again so soon...

I wouldn't say it's common, exactly, but in my opinion cats, animals, can die from a broken heart.

However don't give up on Zac yet. It may be the stress of the loss has brought on some treatable or at least manageable illness.

I second tiffers' question about thyroid, but also wonder if stroke was considered. Did the vet take Zac's blood pressure? Also Vestibular Disease (infection of the inner ear) has similar symptoms.

There are a number of things that could be wrong.

I recommend you bring these things up with your vet, or take him somewhere else for a second opinion. I don't much like the idea of a steroid shot and "there's not much we can do". It's too vague.

I am sorry you are going through this with Zac, so soon after losing Kelly. Please keep us posted.

conniec. · #4 11-03-2009, 12:35 AM

yes, his thyroid is ok...i will talk to the vet tomorrow, there is no change in him tonite. thanks for the advice, will keep you posted.
special, i did alot of research on vestibular with my other cat, but this one does not walk in a circle or favor one side or have the head tilt, its more that he is just very weak...i am going to have them re run the blood work also...i am not giving up yet...

special · #5 11-03-2009, 12:45 AM

I was just thinking about this, so came on to add that in addition to the blood work an x ray or two, perhaps ultrasound, might be useful to check on anything inside going on.

Dirky47 · #6 11-03-2009, 01:26 AM

Quote:

yes, his thyroid is ok...i will talk to the vet tomorrow,

This is a right decision. I'm worried about your pet. Is he okay now?

Keep us updated about your pet situation.

conniec. · #7 11-03-2009, 05:02 PM

thanks for your concern, zak passed away this morning; he went into a coma and i took him to the vet, his heart was still beating but the vet said he was "gone"....i cant believe it, exactly 3 weeks after my holly...he was 17 1/2....everything just started shutting down, sometimes tests can show not much going on, but for whatever reason, like an old person, things just stop working..i dont think he had the will anymore after losing his buddy...i feel so depressed and empty, i have been caring for these two for over 17 years, my heart is broken....but i have two young children and i know in time we will get another pet, maybe a dog this time...but right now i just feel numb...

Kkye · #8 11-03-2009, 05:07 PM

Oh sweetie, I'm so sorry. It'll get easier with time, but don't you let anyone tell you your grief is silly, because it hurts so bad when our fuzzy ones pass.

devastated70 · #9 11-03-2009, 05:14 PM

awl,,, I am sooooo sorry,,,, bless your heart..

i had a similiar situation but with dogs, was mother and daughter, 4 weeks to the day of losing the daugther i lost the mother,, and as you said, i really think it had alot to do with heart break. they were 13/14 years old and had been together all of the daughters life.. it was so heartbreaking, and at the time of the daughters death, there did not seem to be anything wrong with the mother, but went down hill EXTREMELY fast.. not to compare my story to yours, just to let you know that it does happen.. but KNOW that they are together once again, with each other, not sick, not hurting and i'm sure very thankful that they had you for a wonderful mom their 17/18 years of life...

special · #10 11-03-2009, 08:05 PM

Oh, Kelly I am so sorry. Losing 2 within three weeks is a devastating thing. I know, it's happened to me too. I haven't a doubt that your Zak was lost without his lifelong companion. It happens that way sometimes.

I'm crying with you now.

xo

#11 11-03-2009, 11:46 PM

Awww, Connie, so sorry to hear about both of your kitties...

Dirky47 · #12 11-04-2009, 03:25 AM

So sad about what have happened

:crying:

conniec. · #13 11-05-2009, 04:26 PM

thank you all for your kind words; i can always count on you here for understanding and support...i feel so blessed to have been part of their lives for so long; and i am so honored that they chose me as their mom, although my heart is broken, i take comfort in knowing they were the most pampered and loved and protected kitties on the planet

someday, when i can open my heart again, i will, and they will be treated just like holly and zak were....

Dirky47 · #14 11-06-2009, 03:42 AM

You are very welcome mate. I guess you need a comforting hug now.