What to do with a pet's remains? Afford an autopsy?

I learned a lot last time I posted and found real peace of mind by
taking my cat to the vet when its behavior veered into the abnormal.
Thank you.

My cat set up a racket last night. 15minutes later I walked in and
found a dead animal. Strictly indoors. One other cat lives inside
too, so I'm concerned about the cause which remains mysterious.

Please help by giving out what you can about autopsy costs as it seems
logical and appropriate to protect my remaining companion.

Thanks all.

"buzzgun" wrote in message
oups.com...
I learned a lot last time I posted and found real peace of mind by
taking my cat to the vet when its behavior veered into the abnormal.
Thank you.

My cat set up a racket last night. 15minutes later I walked in and
found a dead animal. Strictly indoors. One other cat lives inside
too, so I'm concerned about the cause which remains mysterious.

Please help by giving out what you can about autopsy costs as it seems
logical and appropriate to protect my remaining companion.

Thanks all.


I think it is very important to have an autopsy in a case like this,
especially since you have another cat. It will probably add to your peace
of mine (just as you described) to have a definitive answer. I don't know
what you mean by "abnormal behavior" in the past, but that information
should be given to the vet when you request an autopsy.

I can't answer your question about cost, but I am writing to urge to call
your vet's office *immediately.* They will be able to give you the costs,
but they will also be able to tell you exactly how you should handle the
body.

You have my deepest sympathies. That would be a devastating thing to go
through. I hope you can derive some solace in knowing that this seems to
have been a very quick incident, and therefore your kitty did not suffer a
prolonged illness.

MaryL

On Mar 21, 8:08 am, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote:
"buzzgun" wrote in message

oups.com...

I learned a lot last time I posted and found real peace of mind by
taking my cat to the vet when its behavior veered into the abnormal.
Thank you.

My cat set up a racket last night. 15minutes later I walked in and
found a dead animal. Strictly indoors. One other cat lives inside
too, so I'm concerned about the cause which remains mysterious.

Please help by giving out what you can about autopsy costs as it seems
logical and appropriate to protect my remaining companion.

Thanks all.

I think it is very important to have an autopsy in a case like this,
especially since you have another cat. It will probably add to your peace
of mine (just as you described) to have a definitive answer. I don't know
what you mean by "abnormal behavior" in the past, but that information
should be given to the vet when you request an autopsy.

I can't answer your question about cost, but I am writing to urge to call
your vet's office *immediately.* They will be able to give you the costs,
but they will also be able to tell you exactly how you should handle the
body.

You have my deepest sympathies. That would be a devastating thing to go
through. I hope you can derive some solace in knowing that this seems to
have been a very quick incident, and therefore your kitty did not suffer a
prolonged illness.

MaryL

Thanks Mary. I called my alumni school's vet teaching hospital and
they recommended calling local vets since the university here isn't
sufficiently equipped. I'm waiting for the Humane Society to open.
I've only been here a month and not yet contacted any vets in the
area.

I believe it was a very quick passing. There will never be another
cat like that one for me. I've decided to be easy on myself and try
to make sure the indoor environment here is safe for my remaining
cat. The abnormal behavior was with him actually. Now that I recall,
however, the one who passed away did have a heart murmer reported
about 1 year ago. All I could do was talk myself to sleep and hope to
replay the recording someday when it doesn't feel so bad. Its a happy
time too though and life will continue. Thanks for your sympathy. I
don't know anyone here really.

"buzzgun" wrote in message
ups.com...
On Mar 21, 8:08 am, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote:
"buzzgun" wrote in message

oups.com...

I learned a lot last time I posted and found real peace of mind by
taking my cat to the vet when its behavior veered into the abnormal.
Thank you.

My cat set up a racket last night. 15minutes later I walked in and
found a dead animal. Strictly indoors. One other cat lives inside
too, so I'm concerned about the cause which remains mysterious.

Please help by giving out what you can about autopsy costs as it seems
logical and appropriate to protect my remaining companion.

Thanks all.

I think it is very important to have an autopsy in a case like this,
especially since you have another cat. It will probably add to your
peace
of mine (just as you described) to have a definitive answer. I don't
know
what you mean by "abnormal behavior" in the past, but that information
should be given to the vet when you request an autopsy.

I can't answer your question about cost, but I am writing to urge to call
your vet's office *immediately.* They will be able to give you the
costs,
but they will also be able to tell you exactly how you should handle the
body.

You have my deepest sympathies. That would be a devastating thing to go
through. I hope you can derive some solace in knowing that this seems to
have been a very quick incident, and therefore your kitty did not suffer
a
prolonged illness.

MaryL

Thanks Mary. I called my alumni school's vet teaching hospital and
they recommended calling local vets since the university here isn't
sufficiently equipped. I'm waiting for the Humane Society to open.
I've only been here a month and not yet contacted any vets in the
area.

I believe it was a very quick passing. There will never be another
cat like that one for me. I've decided to be easy on myself and try
to make sure the indoor environment here is safe for my remaining
cat. The abnormal behavior was with him actually. Now that I recall,
however, the one who passed away did have a heart murmer reported
about 1 year ago. All I could do was talk myself to sleep and hope to
replay the recording someday when it doesn't feel so bad. Its a happy
time too though and life will continue. Thanks for your sympathy. I
don't know anyone here really.
-----
Please accept my sympathies as well. We all know what it feels like to lose
a special pet -- completely and totally miserable. Please feel free to post
here and let us know what happens. People here try to be supportive. I don't
know that you can conclude this was caused by the heart murmur. Lots of cats
have heart murmurs (including mine) and live for many, many years. I think
you are wise to want to investigate the cause of death for the safety of
your other cat, though. Please keep us updated.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.

I am sorry to hear what happened. I think in this case an autopsy
would be worth doing to see they can find the reason esp. if you have
another pet. Might be worth having a general health check on your
other cat too.

buzzgun wrote:
I learned a lot last time I posted and found real peace of mind by
taking my cat to the vet when its behavior veered into the abnormal.
Thank you.

My cat set up a racket last night. 15minutes later I walked in and
found a dead animal. Strictly indoors. One other cat lives inside
too, so I'm concerned about the cause which remains mysterious.

Please help by giving out what you can about autopsy costs as it seems
logical and appropriate to protect my remaining companion.

Thanks all.

Necropsy costs aroun $150.00, IIRC. I'd have it done for peace of
mind.

-L.

buzzgun wrote:
I think it is very important to have an autopsy in a case like this,
especially since you have another cat. It will probably add to your peace
of mine (just as you described) to have a definitive answer. I don't know
what you mean by "abnormal behavior" in the past, but that information
should be given to the vet when you request an autopsy.

I can't answer your question about cost, but I am writing to urge to call
your vet's office *immediately.* They will be able to give you the costs,
but they will also be able to tell you exactly how you should handle the
body.

You have my deepest sympathies. That would be a devastating thing to go
through. I hope you can derive some solace in knowing that this seems to
have been a very quick incident, and therefore your kitty did not suffer a
prolonged illness.

MaryL

Thanks Mary. I called my alumni school's vet teaching hospital and
they recommended calling local vets since the university here isn't
sufficiently equipped.

huh? Necropsy doesn't takle any advanced equipment - just skill.

I'm waiting for the Humane Society to open.
I've only been here a month and not yet contacted any vets in the
area.

I believe it was a very quick passing. There will never be another
cat like that one for me. I've decided to be easy on myself and try
to make sure the indoor environment here is safe for my remaining
cat. The abnormal behavior was with him actually. Now that I recall,
however, the one who passed away did have a heart murmer reported
about 1 year ago. All I could do was talk myself to sleep and hope to
replay the recording someday when it doesn't feel so bad. Its a happy
time too though and life will continue. Thanks for your sympathy. I
don't know anyone here really.

I'd call a local feline specialist of there is one in your area and
have them do the necropsy.
Good luck and I am very sorry for your loss.

-L.

On Mar 21, 7:35 am, "cindys" wrote:
"buzzgun" wrote in message

ups.com...



On Mar 21, 8:08 am, "MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER
wrote:
"buzzgun" wrote in message

groups.com...

I learned a lot last time I posted and found real peace of mind by
taking my cat to the vet when its behavior veered into the abnormal.
Thank you.

My cat set up a racket last night. 15minutes later I walked in and
found a dead animal. Strictly indoors. One other cat lives inside
too, so I'm concerned about the cause which remains mysterious.

Please help by giving out what you can about autopsy costs as it seems
logical and appropriate to protect my remaining companion.

Thanks all.

I think it is very important to have an autopsy in a case like this,
especially since you have another cat. It will probably add to your
peace
of mine (just as you described) to have a definitive answer. I don't
know
what you mean by "abnormal behavior" in the past, but that information
should be given to the vet when you request an autopsy.

I can't answer your question about cost, but I am writing to urge to call
your vet's office *immediately.* They will be able to give you the
costs,
but they will also be able to tell you exactly how you should handle the
body.

You have my deepest sympathies. That would be a devastating thing to go
through. I hope you can derive some solace in knowing that this seems to
have been a very quick incident, and therefore your kitty did not suffer
a
prolonged illness.

MaryL

Thanks Mary. I called my alumni school's vet teaching hospital and
they recommended calling local vets since the university here isn't
sufficiently equipped. I'm waiting for the Humane Society to open.
I've only been here a month and not yet contacted any vets in the
area.

I believe it was a very quick passing. There will never be another
cat like that one for me. I've decided to be easy on myself and try
to make sure the indoor environment here is safe for my remaining
cat. The abnormal behavior was with him actually. Now that I recall,
however, the one who passed away did have a heart murmer reported
about 1 year ago. All I could do was talk myself to sleep and hope to
replay the recording someday when it doesn't feel so bad. Its a happy
time too though and life will continue. Thanks for your sympathy. I
don't know anyone here really.

-----
Please accept my sympathies as well. We all know what it feels like to lose
a special pet -- completely and totally miserable. Please feel free to post
here and let us know what happens. People here try to be supportive. I don't
know that you can conclude this was caused by the heart murmur. Lots of cats
have heart murmurs (including mine) and live for many, many years. I think
you are wise to want to investigate the cause of death for the safety of
your other cat, though. Please keep us updated.
Best regards,
---Cindy S.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I've decided to forward the synopsis from the vet who performed the
necropsy. My remaining feline is doing fine and I found nothing in my
home warranting suspicion. I'd welcome anyone's input.

Your male feline's external and oral exam (including proximal trachea/
esophagus) were unremarkable except for mild dental tartar/gingivitis.
Theo's abdomen had a small amount of yellow, blood tinged fluid. It
appeared to be secondary to a very compromised 6" section of mid-
jejunal intestine. This section was very thin and friable, discolored,
and dilated with gas. The mesenteric lymph nodes were grossly
enlarged. The rest of the abdomen was unremarkable. He had normal
stool in his colon and a stomach full of food, indicating an acute
death. His chest cavity was also grossly unremarkable.
Our assumption was that he died of acute bacterial endotoxemia of
unknown origin.
----