What are the causes of sudden death in cats?

All of us who love our furries would like them to live longer, better lives. The problem comes when we don't realize that they are sick, or that we convince ourselves that they will get better on their own in a few days. This is when the disease progresses and sometimes becomes so severe that by the time we take them to the vet it is usually too late.

But to this we must also add that these animals are experts at hiding pain. So, How to Avoid Sudden Death in Cats?

What is sudden death?

The name speaks for itself: sudden death of an animal (regardless of whether it is a person, a dog, a cat...) . As for cats, thanks to their survival instinct, they have developed so much that they know well how to hide pain; in fact, he will only show signs of weakness if you trust your man very much and if you also live in a calm and pleasant environment.

Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to the fur that we have at home, since any symptom, any small change in her daily routine can be a sign of illness.

What are the reasons?

Next, we will tell you what are the causes of sudden death in cats. When considering illness and death in cats, it is important to remember one thing: cats are very good at hiding their illness as a survival measure, allowing cats to be sick for a long time before someone gets sick.

This may be especially true for those who spend every day with their cat and don't notice minor changes such as weight loss, hair loss, more sleep, or dull fur. As our cats age, we may believe that symptoms such as weight loss, less activity and/or lethargy are due to decline with age rather than disease.

Causes of sudden death in cats include:

Trauma . This is more common in outdoor cats, but can happen to any animal. Examples of injuries include being struck by a vehicle, being attacked or bitten by dogs or other animals, gunshot wounds, falls, or accidental injuries such as crushing.
toxins . Ingestion and/or exposure to toxins and drugs is more common in outdoor cats, but can also occur in indoor cats. Common toxins include antifreeze, plant toxicity, and rat poison ingestion, among others.
Heart disease . Heart disease may have few or no warning signs. While some cats may have a history of a heart murmur, other cats may not have any abnormal symptoms or problems. Some cats exhibit subtle symptoms such as playing less, sleeping more, decreased appetite, weight loss, or increased breathing. Very often, cats are in excellent health, but signs of illness appear quickly and in dire circumstances. Cats with heart disease may develop shortness of breath or difficulty using their hind legs, which can cause them to cry in pain. Some cat owners simply find their cat dead without any symptoms. The most common heart disease in cats is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) (as discussed above).
Heart failure . When heart failure occurs, it means that the heart can no longer meet the normal needs and functions of the body. This usually causes fluid to accumulate in the lungs, known as pulmonary edema. The most common underlying cause of heart failure is hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Signs of heart failure often include a slight decrease in appetite, decreased activity in daily activities, and rapid breathing. Some cats will breathe so poorly that they gasp with their mouth open, and the cats carefully mask their signs until they reach a state of fulminant and life-threatening heart failure.
Myocardial infarction . “Heart attack” is a term commonly applied to people who have had a myocardial infarction (MI), often caused by coronary artery disease. The myocardium is the muscle tissue of the heart that receives nutrients and oxygen from the coronary arteries. Coronary arteries are small blood vessels in the heart muscle that carry blood from the aorta, which is the main artery in the body. When a muscle does not receive normal blood supply, a heart attack occurs.
Thrombus . A blood clot, also called a thromboembolism, can be caused by many different health problems, including heart disease in cats. Blood clots can travel to the brain, lungs, or blood vessels of the hind legs, causing sudden death in cats.
Chronic kidney disease . Chronic kidney failure (CKD) is a very common problem in cats. When the kidneys fail, they can no longer eliminate waste products that lead to a buildup of toxins in the blood. This causes clinical signs of kidney disease, including weight loss, decreased appetite, vomiting, and lethargy as the kidney disease progresses. Some cats with kidney disease also experience increased thirst and increased urination. It is more common in older cats, but can occur at any age.
Urinary tract obstruction in cats . Feline urinary tract obstruction is an acute obstruction of the urinary tract, and although this condition can affect any cat, it is most common in men. Typical signs are urination and crying. If left untreated, most cats die within 72 hours.
Stroke in cats . “Stroke” is a term usually applied to people who have had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) caused by cerebrovascular disease. A stroke is caused by a disruption in the blood supply to the brain, which disrupts the nerve impulses that travel from the brain to the rest of the body. Symptoms can appear quickly and cause the cat's sudden death. Signs of a stroke include difficulty walking, weakness, falling on one side, paralysis on one side of the body, and/or seizures.
Infections Serious infections, commonly known as septicemia, can cause a progressive group of symptoms in cats, including lethargy, anorexia, weight loss, dehydration, fever and sudden death.
Shock . Shock is defined as a life-threatening syndrome that causes low blood pressure and can lead to death. It can be caused by an allergic reaction, heart damage, severe infection (sepsis), trauma, blood loss, toxins, fluid loss, and spinal cord injury. Cats in shock can die quickly, which may appear as sudden death.
Elevated blood sugar in cats . Severe symptoms caused by uncontrolled diabetes can lead to weakness, lethargy, vomiting, coma and death.
Drop in blood sugar . Low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia, can cause lethargy, weakness, seizures and sudden death. This can be a severe consequence of diabetes, injury and/or various infectious diseases.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - The heart thickens and hardens, causing it to pump blood normally. Symptoms: difficulty breathing, irregular heart rhythm, vomiting and loss of appetite.
Heartworm (filariasis): This is a parasitic disease that affects the heart. Sick cats experience coughing, vomiting, heart failure, and lose weight.
Feline immunodeficiency virus: also known as feline immunodeficiency virus, this is a viral disease that can cause, among other things, diarrhea, malaise, loss of appetite and weight, gingivitis; however, the cat usually does not show symptoms until the disease has become severe.
Feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) : This is another disease that most often kills cats. This causes dehydration, loss of appetite and weight, eye discharge and discomfort.

Birth trauma and birth defects

Early mortality is often associated with oxygen starvation of the body due to delay in the birth canal or late opening of the fetal membrane. A female giving birth for the first time may need human assistance. This is especially important if labor is prolonged.

Experience shows that resuscitation of a newborn kitten without signs of life does not give positive results. Lack of oxygen immediately after birth has fatal consequences: serious damage to the nervous system and brain of the baby. It is also very difficult to resuscitate premature kittens.

Anomalies that cause death:

cleft palate;
absence of anus;
navel hernia;
cleft lip;
skeletal deformity;
disorders of blood supply and cardiovascular activity;
respiratory system defects;
absence of organs.

If the birth of children with serious pathologies recurs, the female should be sterilized.

You can bring a baby back to life in the following cases:

the baby was born with low body weight;
the baby’s cranial bones or ribs are deformed;
one or more limbs are missing.

Making a decision about the need for resuscitation measures falls entirely on the shoulders of the animal owner. It should be taken into account that a cat with congenital defects will have reduced immunity.

In addition to these reasons, the death of a newborn may be a consequence of an infection transmitted in the womb of the mother.

Photo - British kittens after eating

How to avoid this?

What you need to know is that the only way to avoid sudden death in cats is to make sure they are healthy. . They need to be fed a good quality diet (no grains or by-products) and it is also very important to have anti-parasitic treatment so that they are protected from parasites, both external and internal. There are anti-parasitic collars that can help you in this section.

Additionally, we should take them to the vet whenever we suspect something is wrong with them, as well as vaccinate them and neuter them before they go into heat.

Average life expectancy of cats vs. risk of sudden death

The lifespan of cats can range from 14 to 22 years. There is a significant difference in life expectancy depending on the individual cat's lifestyle. Life expectancy can vary depending on whether the cat is kept indoors only, indoors and outdoors, or outdoors only.

Indoor cats have the longest lifespan, followed by indoor and outdoor cats. Cats that live outdoors have the shortest lifespan due to exposure to toxins, injury, animal attacks and infectious diseases. Although this trend is general, there are outdoor cats with good genes who are given a nutritious diet and veterinary care and have very long lifespans.

Understanding the loss of a beloved cat, especially at a young age, is extremely difficult, but it does happen. Sudden death can also occur in cats, which can be very devastating and senseless. The only comfort you can take from this situation is the knowledge that you did everything you could and that you gave your cat a wonderful life.

Diagnostic methods in the clinic

What will need to be done to diagnose the cat's condition at the veterinary clinic will depend on the severity and nature of the injuries.

The veterinarian will examine the animal, measure basic vital signs, assess the patient’s general condition, and whether the pet’s life is currently in danger. In any case, even in the absence of visible injuries, an X-ray examination will be necessary: it will help assess the condition of the bones and respiratory system (presence of pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, etc.).

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) is also performed to assess the condition of internal organs. Further diagnosis will depend on the presence, nature and severity of specific injuries.