My mom has two cats. One I got for her as a stray four years ago, and the newest member, from my niece as a newborn kitten, 18 months ago.
Long story short, she was making coffee one morning, two weeks ago. And like two cats do, patiently (sometimes) waited for her to grab a couple cans of cat food. As my mom grabbed the two cans, she heard Blake, make a short sound. Not a meow sound, but a quick sound, like he was in pain. Right before she turned around, she heard him fall to the ground. When she turned around and went immediately over there to see him, he was gone!!
She called me, and I went over there to check it out. God, it was so sad. He was like, just laying there, with his little eyes still wide open.
My mom had two red Christmas bows on both her cats. Christ, it was so sad, taking that little bow off of Blake. He was such an affectionate kitty!!
...and burying the little guy, was no "walk in the park" either!!
I grabbed an internet connection later, and found out, that it was probably a heart condition. One being heartworms, from mosquitoes injecting cats with this certain larvae from other animals. From there, the larvae lives inside the cat, anywhere from 6 -18 months. It can grow into either the typical heartworm, that usually breeds in the right side of the cat's heart, (more blood or blood vessels possibly?) or remain in larvae form, either causing the cat to hemmorage, or when the larvae eventually die, causing a blood clot, and instantly killing the animal.
i guess what makes these heartworms dangerous in cats, is that it's hard to detect. If you're lucky enough to have your cat develope symptoms of heavy breathing, sudden laziness, (and not really sleeping more than they already so, just laying around basically) or a change in their bowel habits, then you may have a chance to diagnose the problem. Unfortunately, and if you're lucky enough to have your cat still alive at this point, it could be diagnosed as some other feline heart condition, that they possibly might have a cure for. But what makes this a bastard, is that the symptoms of feline heartworms, are very similar to the symptoms of a feline heart condition. While the feline heart condition, CAN, sometimes be tracked down effectively, most heartworms can't. (until it's too late) This essentially, making the diagnosis of a heart condition, the "diagnosis of choice," while the cat really dies of heartworms/larvae!!
God, I've known about heartworms in dogs for years, as I've owned dogs before, but not cats. I never knew that treatment for cats, was much more difficult, (and different) than dogs.
My mom took very good care of both her cats. She had their regular checkups with her vet religiously.
It's so sad to see Skeeter now. Blake use to bug the shit out of him. Especially late at night. Sometimes, I'll be at my mom's house late at night. Skeeter, who usually is more laid back than Blake was, will now, get a "20 minute energy buzz," and run around the house frantickly. This was approximately the amount of time, Blake was driving Skeeter nuts, by wanting to play with him. I got some video of it, and it's fucking hilarious, how Blake, use to "circle the wagon," so to speak, right before he'd "pounce" on Skeeter.
...and then Blake would lick Skeeter's ears afterwards!!
God, they were so cute together!!
It almost makes me cry, watching the poor guy now!! (Skeeter)
Charlie pranced into the yard of one of my friends in the fall of 2004. My friend has 8 dogs but Charlie showed no fear.l. He had been very well-cared for...he was healthy and had been neutered, but nobody in the neighborhood claimed him. He sleeps beside me every night while Saber hangs out on a velour throw placed on top of the "formal" dining room table! Does that bother me about a cat on the table? Not in the least! 
