There’s nothing more devastating to pet owners than losing a beloved companion, especially if the loss is very sudden. In this video, we will talk about possible causes of sudden death in cats.
Lily Nephrotoxicity
All parts of the lily plant are toxic to cats, from the roots of the plant to the flower’s petals. Even drinking from the water tray of a lily plant can be fatal.
Lilies cause acute kidney failure within 2 days of ingestion. Without treatment, a cat will die.
Other common dangerous plants for cats include daffodils, English Ivy, azaleas, Calla lilies, aloe, begonias, and ficus. Ensure that any houseplants in your home are non-toxic to cats. Of course, preventing exposure to these dangers is more difficult if your cat is allowed outside.
Urinary Obstruction.
Urinary tract blockages are extremely common among male cats. Therefore, it's critical for cat parents to know the signs of the condition. A cat who tries to go potty but isn’t producing anything may have a urinary tract blockage.
They might sit in the litterbox straining but still not be able to urinate. This is especially a concern if the cat seems to be in pain while trying to do their business.
When untreated, most cats will die within 72 hours.
If this happens to your pet, a vet visit is urgently required.
Heart disease
Heart disease is one of the most common causes of sudden death in cats. It is usually more common in Persian cats and Maine Coons but can also occur in mixed breeds. Young, healthy cats are more likely to show sudden death without symptoms. As for cats that die from cardiomyopathy, death is often the first symptom.
Blood Clot
Cats can sometimes develop blood clots in their bodies. These blood clots can travel to the brain, lungs, or heart, resulting in sudden death in cats. If the clot travels down to the back legs, it can get stuck there and block the blood supply to the hind legs. This can cause the cat to lose control over their back legs. Blood clotting can be caused by a wide number of conditions, so you need to spot the symptoms.
Diabetes
Unfortunately, veterinarians are seeing an increased prevalence of diabetes in cats and dogs. This is likely due to the growing prevalence of obesity, inactive lifestyle, a high carbohydrate diet, and lack of exercise.
Diabetic cats with uncontrolled diabetes may develop a condition known as ketoacidosis.
Essentially, the condition progresses to the point where the body lacks insulin, so sugar can’t reach the cells, resulting in cell starvation. It’s an extreme medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention.
Trauma
This is more frequent in outdoor cats, but can happen to any animal. Trauma can be caused by animal attacks, being hit by a car, or even a bad fall from a height, all of which can cause sudden death, or internal bleeding and organ failure that can lead to death.
Stroke
Cats can suffer from stroke just as people can, with similar symptoms occurring. The symptoms can come on quickly and cause sudden cat death.
Plastic bags
Paper bags with no handles are acceptable for cats to play with, but plastic bags should be avoided for the same reason we keep them away from our children: Cats can get wound up and trapped in the bag, leading to suffocation.
Chronic Kidney Disease.
Chronic kidney disease is a very common problem in cats. It is a progressive illness that can lead to total kidney failure.
It is a gradual condition that typically develops over several months or even years, and is typically caused by autoimmune diseases, cysts in the kidneys, and genetics. Sometimes, it is simply a result of old age as a cat’s kidneys become weaker and weaker as it ages.
Raisins and Grapes
Cats should never eat grapes and raisins. These fruits are known to be extremely toxic to cats.
Bones and toys
Another common cause of sudden death in cats is choking.
Sometimes a cat choking incident is caused by a hairball that they can't expel, but accidents are more often the result of an object (food, hair tie or plastic toy) lodged in their throat.
Feeding your cat fish skeletons or cooked bones is also dangerous as the bones can splinter and cause harm.
Heartworm
Heartworm disease is a serious disease that results in heart failure, organ damages, and death in pets. The worms enter the body through the bite of a mosquito. As the infection spreads in the animal, infective larvae from the mosquito begin to mature into adult heartworms within the heart.
Heartworm disease is preventable by giving the cat a monthly medication. Limiting your cat’s exposure to the outdoors lowers its chances of being infected.
Toxins and Poisoning
Ingestion of toxins and poisons such as antifreeze, rat position, or medications that contain acetaminophen is one of the leading causes of sudden death in cats. Avoid using poison to get rid of rodents, and take your cat to the vet immediately if you suspect she’s come in contact with such poison.
