Feel Like Crap-Cat Died on My Watch - Page 1

As some of you know, I own a boarding kennel There's this very nice cat that's been coming here ever since I bought the place two years ago, and probably for a long time before that. He's 12 years old, and the owner is a young guy who obviously is very fond of him.

I noticed he was drinking a lot of water, and peeing a lot, but didn't worry too much about it. I've seen end-stage kidney failure in cats, and they get very, very thin before they die. This cat was a normal weight.

He did seem a bit lethargic, but it's been hellish hot here, and he was still eating and drinking and using the litterbox, so I didn't worry. I just made sure I kept the water bowl topped up, as he was drinking a lot. The cat kennel is in the basement, and it's nice and cooll down there, so he definitely wasn't suffering from the heat.

Last night, I found him lying stone cold dead on the flloor of his cage. To say I was shocked is putting it mildly. Then, of course, the guilt came rushing in.

I should have noticed something wasn't right with him. I shouldn't have let my summer helper be the one to look after him the last two evenings: I should have done it myself, and maybe I'd have noticed something wasn't right with him.

Now I have to make the phone call to tell the owner. I didn't do it last night, as it was so late when I found he'd died.

Crap. Poor Tiger!

Jeez! The call to the owner will be very difficult.

I live nearish to you and you are absolutely correct- it's really hot here right now (in the 90s F or 30s C)! You just described both of my Germans - lethargic, drinking tons of water, panting, and peeing a lot. Bosco is acting like he's going to explode from the heat!

So sorry, sounds like the whole situation is sad. The cat went naturally, so don't fret. You weren't neglecting the animal. Cats are good at being alone when they feel like dying. I hope the owner takes it as well as they can, I'm sure it will be a hard conversation to have. 

RIP, Tiger, you were a respected customers beloved cat.

So sorry to hear about Tiger thats a really hard situation. I too own a boarding kennel and thats definately the worst call to have to make.   Its good that you've had him in the past and he wasn't a new client at least you have some experience with the owners. 
Good luck,
Amy 

So, I called the contact number the owner left. I can't believe what I found out: the contact has NO way of getting hold of the owner!

What if I'd noticed the cat wasn't well? Would this person (I think it must be his sister) have the authority to let me take it to the vet, and spend possibly hundreds of dollars on its treatment?

Good gravy, if you're going to leave an EMERGENCY contact number, at LEAST make sure the person has some way of contacting you!!

He won't be back in town until the 29th, so the person I talked to said it was okay for me to put the cat's remains in the freezer until he returns. (I have a spare fridge in the basement that I'm not using.)

The summer helper said the cat looked just fine the last time she saw it, and was eating and drinking. I've had cats most of my life, but have never had one die suddenly like this. And he was 10 years old, not 12.

If it were my cat, I'd be tempted to have a necropsy done!    He must have died shortly after I looked in on him yesterday morning, because he was cold and stiff by the time I found him.

I am sorry for the call you have to make.  RIP Tiger

So sorry Sunsilver, I know how you feel.

I remember when my it was my daughters turn to bring home the class 5 yr old guinea pig for March break, and it started peeing blood.  So, I called the vet, and he said it had crystals in its urine due to being fed rabbit food it's whole life (not enough Vit C). Well, a few days later it died.  Ugh.  That was a hard phone call, and on top of that, I paid the vet bill. 

I hate when you call to ask questions or have concerns and the emergency contact has no clue plus can't get ahold of the owner! Thats happened to me with the kennel too, its very frustrating and forces me to tell every client that I'll go above and beyond for their pet and that we are in charge if their contact doesn't take charge.  Not good. 

You can now make a note to yourself, to next time, always verify the "emergency contact number".  Live and learn. 

So sorry to here that Sunsilver.  We have all had to make that call once or twice in this business.  It's never easy. Our thoughts will be with you today.