On Tuesday, December 5th, 2011, a particularly heart-wrenching case came in to us for an appointment. The patient was a blind cat that was fifteen years of age, brought in due to not eating for approximately two to three days. Upon arrival, the cat was open-mouth breathing - this is a behavior seen only in very stressed cats or those that are having difficulty breathing - which the owners chalked up to the car ride (the cat rarely left its home). Auscultation (listening) of lung and heart sounds indicated fluid in the thorax (chest), and radiographs were ordered to see if she had an enlarged heart along with fluid around her lungs.
During the x-rays, the cat began having trouble breathing. Another assistant and I were attempting to get a ventral/dorsal (vd) view - this means we were trying to get the picture to show her from her belly through to her spine so that her ribs all lined up over top of each other - when the cat began to panic and turn purple. During this panic, I was bitten on one of my hands before we were able to get her into the surgical suite to be put on oxygen therapy. Two minutes later, she passed away on the table from congestive heart failure (CHF).
This is not the worst part of the story. This poor cat was not up to date on any of her vaccines, including rabies. Because she bit an unvaccinated employee, the health department was contacted and they requested that the cat's head be sent off to be tested for rabies. As horrible as it sounds, currently the only way we have of testing an animal for rabies is to sample the brain tissue - this is where the rabies virus lives in infected animals - and that means beheading the patient.
For all the pain and suffering wrought on that day for those owners, I would truly like to say that I am sorry. I am sorry that your beloved pet was ill, and that in her panic for survival she lashed out due to instinct and it took away your ability to take her remains with you to bury her with your other lost pets. It was difficult to witness, and so I cannot even imagine the grief you are going through because of this incident. The most I can offer is the reassurance that she is no longer suffering. There is no congestive heart failure in heaven.
And so, in her honor, I am posting The Rainbow Bridge:
Just this
side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been
especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are
meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play
together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm
and comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but
the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright
eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the
group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and
faster.
You have been spotted, and when you
and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion,
never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands
again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of
your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge
together....
Author unknown...
In parting words, I simply would like to remind owners to please keep your pets up to date on vaccines - especially rabies (it's the law, folks) - so as to minimize grief and stress should something like this occur.
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