My cat died from HCM and thrombosis having a sudden attack and stopped breathing. Vet couldn't save him, why he couldn't breath?.

I completely understand why you're worried and I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Losing a pet is incredibly difficult. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be hard to detect before it becomes serious. It's a condition where the heart muscle thickens, making it harder for the heart to pump blood effectively.



When a clot forms due to thrombosis and travels to a critical area, it can block blood flow. In many cats with HCM, these clots often lodge in the arteries leading to the hind legs, which is very painful and can cause sudden paralysis and distress. In your cat's case, if a clot traveled to the lungs, it could have caused a sudden inability to breathe.



During such sudden events, it may be difficult for even the most skilled veterinarian to save a pet, as these complications escalate quickly. It's important to recognize that you provided love and care to your cat throughout his life.



Unfortunately, at-home care for these sudden crises isn't possible, but monitoring your other pets for symptoms like difficulty breathing, lethargy, or hind limb weakness can be important. If you see these signs, it's crucial to seek immediate veterinary care.



Please consider booking a video consult with us at Dial A Vet if you'd like to talk through this further or have lingering concerns about your other pets.