Cat died due to glucose level drop

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Shannon5984

Member Since 2015
hi. Yesterday, my little Butterball passed away. I took her to the emergency vet on Tuesday night (around 8pm - which is when the doctor came in) after I had come home and she vomited white, frothy vomit around 6pm. While she has vomited before in the past, she seemed very different after this episode. She was very slow moving and scared. The vet examined her, her vital signs were normal and no sign of pain or obstruction and sent her home with me to do a follow up with my regular vet in the morning. I had been hydrating and trying to feed her via a syringe all the rest of that night and the following morning until we could be seen by my vet. She had barely moved much all night but in the morning she made it to my bedroom and laid by the water dish with her nose touching the water and her chest was soaking wet. About an hour before our appointment, she had started refusing to take any water or food from the syringe. They checked her vitals - normal. They did X-rays - normal. They did blood tests - all came back normal aside from signs of mild dehydration. They gave her fluids (subcutaneous because she was only very mildly dehydrated) an anti nausea med, antibiotic, and some corn syrup to help perk her up. They sent me home with high caloric food and some syringes, told me to monitor her and keep her separated from my other animals (two dogs and another cat) so I could monitor her ins and outs. We left the vet, I got home and took her out of the carrier. She had peed all over the towel she was laying on. She began meowing softly and couldn't move. I called and rushed her back to the vet. Only about 15 mins had passed since we left. By the time I got her to the vet, she was already in shock and her glucose levels had dropped so low they couldn't even get a reading. The vet was so baffled by what had happened because she was only 8lbs - perfect body weight and shape - perfect teeth - eyes - coat and all her labs came back relatively normal aside from the mild dehydration. Because they couldn't give a definitive diagnosis and she crashed so quickly, they couldn't give me a prognosis but made it sound as though she's so critical at this point, they don't know how she would recover. I couldn't bear the thought of putting her thru more tests and procedures so I had to let her go. The vet said she didn't have diabetes and didn't have pancreatitis. She didnt have access to any sugar free or sugar substitute anything. I was just wondering if anyone has any other ideas of what may have caused this. She wasn't even ill (at least visibly ill - I know cats are good at hiding their sickness. We were playing earlier that day and she was chasing my puppy like she does every day) for 24 hours. It was only about 18 hours that had past from the time she vomited to the time I had to make the choice to put her to sleep. I'm just shocked and sad. She was only about 6 years old - she was a rescue so I don't have a full history on her I adopted her and her sister three years ago. They've both had clean bills of health - her sister is overweight but butterball was lean and incredibly healthy.
Sorry this is so long and thanks for taking the time to read.
 
I'm so sorry for the loss of your sweet baby, Butterball. I don't have any insight on what could have been going on with her and find the symptoms frightening. I hope someone comes along with some ideas. Sending prayers to you:bighug:
 
I'm so sorry you lost your kitty, sounds like there must've been some unknown underlying condition. Hopefully you'll find some comfort in knowing that you did everything right. RIP Butterball.:rb_icon:cat_wings>o
 
I'm so sorry for the loss of your furbaby butterball. Rest peacefully beautiful butterball.
 
So very sorry and I can only imagine how shocking for her to decline so quickly. It is all so strange and I hope someone here might be able to help you speculate as to what happened. Again, I am so very sorry for your loss.
 
So sorry for your terrible loss! My heart goes out to you, I know how painful it is to lose a beloved family member. I hope you will find some answers.

Fly free, sweet Butterball cat_wings>o
 
So very sorry for your loss of Butterball. What a terrible experience for you ... but you handled it well, and you were so brave, making the sound decision to let her go ... even though I know it broke your heart. Bless you!
Fly free, sweet kitty.cat_wings>o
 
My vet just called. She said she's been up all night trying to figure out what happened. She's consulted with other vets. One vet thought there may have been a tumor on the pancreas (there was a small shadow there on the X-ray) but my vet said she didn't have any of the clinical symptoms. They are racking their brains trying to figure out why a perfectly healthy, indoor only cat would die so suddenly due to glucose levels dropping so rapidly. Her temperature had dropped. I'm wondering if by giving her the fluids since she voided maybe she voided out the corn syrup they had given her. Maybe her temp dropped due to my car not being warm enough. My vet doesn't think there was an underlying illness - she thinks it was just a sudden episode but she said there's no way of knowing if something had been going on that was just undetectable.
I hate to say it, but I wish I had just gone with my instinct and let her go Tuesday evening at the emergency vet. I had this aching feeling I needed to get home around 5. Came home at 530pm. She fell ill around 6pm. I just had a feeling I was losing her - but no one could find anything wrong. I feel so guilty.
 
Oh no, please don't feel guilty! You did everything you could possibly have done! You did all the RIGHT things, do not blame yourself! I am certain it had nothing to do with the temperature of your car, or any other outside influence at that point. Whatever took her may always be a mystery, but you can rest assured it was nothing you did, or didn't do, please believe me! {{{HUGS}}}
Lucy
 
So sorry for you loss of Butterball. Please don't feel guilty. You did all the right things. Letting Butterball go was the best gift you could give to him. He will send you a sign from the Bridge for he knew how much you loved him. May He Rest In Peace.:bighug::bighug:
 
Shannon I am so sorry for you and sweet Butterball. What a tragic story - you should not feel guilty in any way -we never have them long enough, but you rescued her from the shelter and gave her three years of blissful love I know some times, in cases like this, the vets do a necropsy to see if they can determine what happened. Again, so so sorry for this
 
Don't feel guilty. You did everything right. You got her the vets. Sometimes there just isn't an answer. Hugs and prayers for you.:bighug::bighug::bighug:
 
Please don't feel guilty, I know its natural to second guess your decision but this all happened so quickly , you did everything you should of done.
R.I.P Butterball cat_wings>o
 
Shannon5984 said:
My vet just called. She said she's been up all night trying to figure out what happened. She's consulted with other vets. One vet thought there may have been a tumor on the pancreas (there was a small shadow there on the X-ray) but my vet said she didn't have any of the clinical symptoms. They are racking their brains trying to figure out why a perfectly healthy, indoor only cat would die so suddenly due to glucose levels dropping so rapidly. Her temperature had dropped. I'm wondering if by giving her the fluids since she voided maybe she voided out the corn syrup they had given her. Maybe her temp dropped due to my car not being warm enough. My vet doesn't think there was an underlying illness - she thinks it was just a sudden episode but she said there's no way of knowing if something had been going on that was just undetectable.
I hate to say it, but I wish I had just gone with my instinct and let her go Tuesday evening at the emergency vet. I had this aching feeling I needed to get home around 5. Came home at 530pm. She fell ill around 6pm. I just had a feeling I was losing her - but no one could find anything wrong. I feel so guilty.
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Shannon, I am so very sorry you had to go through all this. You did everything right, as others here have said, and it's obvious how much you love Butterball. To be completely honest with you, my instinct when I read your first post was a pancreatic tumor. That's what we think we lost our sweet Specklesy boy to back in Sept. Some of the elements of your story were very similar to what happened with him in his last couple hours. If you're interested in those details, I can tell you the similarities... But as Carol said, the only way to know for sure would be a necropsy. We didn't opt to do one because I wasn't in a state of mind at the time to be ready for that. In hindsight, I've wondered a lot about whether we should have gotten at least some post-mortem needle biopsies to see if they could confirm pancreatic cancer, but I don't know how this would help me since the causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown anyway.
Again, I'm so sorry for your painful experience. Will be thinking of you.
 
SpecklesandMe said:
Shannon, I am so very sorry you had to go through all this. You did everything right, as others here have said, and it's obvious how much you love Butterball. To be completely honest with you, my instinct when I read your first post was a pancreatic tumor. That's what we think we lost our sweet Specklesy boy to back in Sept. Some of the elements of your story were very similar to what happened with him in his last couple hours. If you're interested in those details, I can tell you the similarities... But as Carol said, the only way to know for sure would be a necropsy. We didn't opt to do one because I wasn't in a state of mind at the time to be ready for that. In hindsight, I've wondered a lot about whether we should have gotten at least some post-mortem needle biopsies to see if they could confirm pancreatic cancer, but I don't know how this would help me since the causes of pancreatic cancer are unknown anyway.
Again, I'm so sorry for your painful experience. Will be thinking of you.
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Did Specklesy have any signs or symptoms prior to him passing? or did it happen suddenly like it did with Butterball? I mean, maybe Butterball did have signs or symptoms something was wrong, I just didn't see them. She seemed happy and healthy and normal though I know cats are notorious for hiding any sickness or pain. I'm just so confused and sad. And I'd like to know If there were things to watch out for as I adopted her sister also - in the event it was something genetic or whatever, which is probably slim to none - I'm just the type of person who always wants to know the why behind things. My vet didn't offer a necropsy and I probably wouldn't have agreed to it either.
 
As others have said, you shouldn't feel guilty. It is normal to wonder why/what, but please don't feel guilty. Not only did you do the right things, and got her to the vet, it sounds like you got her to a WONDERFUL vet. Any vet that would admit that she's been up all night, and consulting with other vets...is the one that you want taking care of your babies.

Hold Butterball's sister and your pups tight right now. They will help get you through this, I promise.
 
I'm so sorry that you had to go through something so tragic and so sudden. I pray that you get the closure of knowing what happened, but if not, I hope you find peace in knowing you made the right call when Butterball needed it. She and her sister were so fortunate to be saved, given love, a home, and a wonderful life, and I'm sure she'll thank you for everything when you see each other next. Fly Free Butterball. Safe journeys.
 
So heartbreaking but indeed you did all you knew and gave your heart to your sweet baby. Wonderful that you have great memories even 18 hours prior. That was perhaps a gift to help you thru this incredible loss. Sweet prayers of comfort.
 
I
Shannon5984 said:
hi. Yesterday, my little Butterball passed away. I took her to the emergency vet on Tuesday night (around 8pm - which is when the doctor came in) after I had come home and she vomited white, frothy vomit around 6pm. While she has vomited before in the past, she seemed very different after this episode. She was very slow moving and scared. The vet examined her, her vital signs were normal and no sign of pain or obstruction and sent her home with me to do a follow up with my regular vet in the morning. I had been hydrating and trying to feed her via a syringe all the rest of that night and the following morning until we could be seen by my vet. She had barely moved much all night but in the morning she made it to my bedroom and laid by the water dish with her nose touching the water and her chest was soaking wet. About an hour before our appointment, she had started refusing to take any water or food from the syringe. They checked her vitals - normal. They did X-rays - normal. They did blood tests - all came back normal aside from signs of mild dehydration. They gave her fluids (subcutaneous because she was only very mildly dehydrated) an anti nausea med, antibiotic, and some corn syrup to help perk her up. They sent me home with high caloric food and some syringes, told me to monitor her and keep her separated from my other animals (two dogs and another cat) so I could monitor her ins and outs. We left the vet, I got home and took her out of the carrier. She had peed all over the towel she was laying on. She began meowing softly and couldn't move. I called and rushed her back to the vet. Only about 15 mins had passed since we left. By the time I got her to the vet, she was already in shock and her glucose levels had dropped so low they couldn't even get a reading. The vet was so baffled by what had happened because she was only 8lbs - perfect body weight and shape - perfect teeth - eyes - coat and all her labs came back relatively normal aside from the mild dehydration. Because they couldn't give a definitive diagnosis and she crashed so quickly, they couldn't give me a prognosis but made it sound as though she's so critical at this point, they don't know how she would recover. I couldn't bear the thought of putting her thru more tests and procedures so I had to let her go. The vet said she didn't have diabetes and didn't have pancreatitis. She didnt have access to any sugar free or sugar substitute anything. I was just wondering if anyone has any other ideas of what may have caused this. She wasn't even ill (at least visibly ill - I know cats are good at hiding their sickness. We were playing earlier that day and she was chasing my puppy like she does every day) for 24 hours. It was only about 18 hours that had past from the time she vomited to the time I had to make the choice to put her to sleep. I'm just shocked and sad. She was only about 6 years old - she was a rescue so I don't have a full history on her I adopted her and her sister three years ago. They've both had clean bills of health - her sister is overweight but butterball was lean and incredibly healthy.
Sorry this is so long and thanks for taking the time to read.[
Shannon5984 said:
hi. Yesterday, my little Butterball passed away. I took her to the emergency vet on Tuesday night (around 8pm - which is when the doctor came in) after I had come home and she vomited white, frothy vomit around 6pm. While she has vomited before in the past, she seemed very different after this episode. She was very slow moving and scared. The vet examined her, her vital signs were normal and no sign of pain or obstruction and sent her home with me to do a follow up with my regular vet in the morning. I had been hydrating and trying to feed her via a syringe all the rest of that night and the following morning until we could be seen by my vet. She had barely moved much all night but in the morning she made it to my bedroom and laid by the water dish with her nose touching the water and her chest was soaking wet. About an hour before our appointment, she had started refusing to take any water or food from the syringe. They checked her vitals - normal. They did X-rays - normal. They did blood tests - all came back normal aside from signs of mild dehydration. They gave her fluids (subcutaneous because she was only very mildly dehydrated) an anti nausea med, antibiotic, and some corn syrup to help perk her up. They sent me home with high caloric food and some syringes, told me to monitor her and keep her separated from my other animals (two dogs and another cat) so I could monitor her ins and outs. We left the vet, I got home and took her out of the carrier. She had peed all over the towel she was laying on. She began meowing softly and couldn't move. I called and rushed her back to the vet. Only about 15 mins had passed since we left. By the time I got her to the vet, she was already in shock and her glucose levels had dropped so low they couldn't even get a reading. The vet was so baffled by what had happened because she was only 8lbs - perfect body weight and shape - perfect teeth - eyes - coat and all her labs came back relatively normal aside from the mild dehydration. Because they couldn't give a definitive diagnosis and she crashed so quickly, they couldn't give me a prognosis but made it sound as though she's so critical at this point, they don't know how she would recover. I couldn't bear the thought of putting her thru more tests and procedures so I had to let her go. The vet said she didn't have diabetes and didn't have pancreatitis. She didnt have access to any sugar free or sugar substitute anything. I was just wondering if anyone has any other ideas of what may have caused this. She wasn't even ill (at least visibly ill - I know cats are good at hiding their sickness. We were playing earlier that day and she was chasing my puppy like she does every day) for 24 hours. It was only about 18 hours that had past from the time she vomited to the time I had to make the choice to put her to sleep. I'm just shocked and sad. She was only about 6 years old - she was a rescue so I don't have a full history on her I adopted her and her sister three years ago. They've both had clean bills of health - her sister is overweight but butterball was lean and incredibly healthy.
Sorry this is so long and thanks for taking the time to read.
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Shannon5984 said:
hi. Yesterday, my little Butterball passed away. I took her to the emergency vet on Tuesday night (around 8pm - which is when the doctor came in) after I had come home and she vomited white, frothy vomit around 6pm. While she has vomited before in the past, she seemed very different after this episode. She was very slow moving and scared. The vet examined her, her vital signs were normal and no sign of pain or obstruction and sent her home with me to do a follow up with my regular vet in the morning. I had been hydrating and trying to feed her via a syringe all the rest of that night and the following morning until we could be seen by my vet. She had barely moved much all night but in the morning she made it to my bedroom and laid by the water dish with her nose touching the water and her chest was soaking wet. About an hour before our appointment, she had started refusing to take any water or food from the syringe. They checked her vitals - normal. They did X-rays - normal. They did blood tests - all came back normal aside from signs of mild dehydration. They gave her fluids (subcutaneous because she was only very mildly dehydrated) an anti nausea med, antibiotic, and some corn syrup to help perk her up. They sent me home with high caloric food and some syringes, told me to monitor her and keep her separated from my other animals (two dogs and another cat) so I could monitor her ins and outs. We left the vet, I got home and took her out of the carrier. She had peed all over the towel she was laying on. She began meowing softly and couldn't move. I called and rushed her back to the vet. Only about 15 mins had passed since we left. By the time I got her to the vet, she was already in shock and her glucose levels had dropped so low they couldn't even get a reading. The vet was so baffled by what had happened because she was only 8lbs - perfect body weight and shape - perfect teeth - eyes - coat and all her labs came back relatively normal aside from the mild dehydration. Because they couldn't give a definitive diagnosis and she crashed so quickly, they couldn't give me a prognosis but made it sound as though she's so critical at this point, they don't know how she would recover. I couldn't bear the thought of putting her thru more tests and procedures so I had to let her go. The vet said she didn't have diabetes and didn't have pancreatitis. She didnt have access to any sugar free or sugar substitute anything. I was just wondering if anyone has any other ideas of what may have caused this. She wasn't even ill (at least visibly ill - I know cats are good at hiding their sickness. We were playing earlier that day and she was chasing my puppy like she does every day) for 24 hours. It was only about 18 hours that had past from the time she vomited to the time I had to make the choice to put her to sleep. I'm just shocked and sad. She was only about 6 years old - she was a rescue so I don't have a full history on her I adopted her and her sister three years ago. They've both had clean bills of health - her sister is overweight but butterball was lean and incredibly healthy.
Sorry this is so long and thanks for taking the time to read.
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Shannon, I was so sad to read about your loss. I can only speculate that since metabolic and disease stuff are ruling out that perhaps she had a stroke or ate something poisonous(?) Please be kind to yourself and try to let yourself grieve for your loved one. I know I would be devastated too.
 
So sorry for your loss of Butterball. Please don't beat yourself up as you did everything you possibly could for her ((((Shannon)))) May God Bless You with her presence <3 Cindy & angel Sabrina
 
Shannon5984 said:
Did Specklesy have any signs or symptoms prior to him passing? or did it happen suddenly like it did with Butterball? I mean, maybe Butterball did have signs or symptoms something was wrong, I just didn't see them. She seemed happy and healthy and normal though I know cats are notorious for hiding any sickness or pain. I'm just so confused and sad. And I'd like to know If there were things to watch out for as I adopted her sister also - in the event it was something genetic or whatever, which is probably slim to none - I'm just the type of person who always wants to know the why behind things. My vet didn't offer a necropsy and I probably wouldn't have agreed to it either.
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He had diarrhea for a long time before we lost him but since he had had suspected IBD his whole life and since it was fiber-responsive diarrhea, we were not worried at first. When it went on longer than usual we got him tested for pancreatitis. It came back positive but turned out to be due to the tumors as we found out later. The symptoms for most cat cancers are pretty vague and nonspecific unfortunately. They are usually things like fatigue and lethargy. By the time we knew Speckles had cancer, it had spread pretty much throughout his abdomen. I'm still struggling a lot with the questions of why it happened and why it happened when it did, etc.
I can relate to the frustration of not having answers. I'm so sorry you're going through this.
 
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