Cat suddently died last night...wondering what happened

[kwm2007]

Last night our 5 year old neutered male cat just up and died.  History of him is that he has always been a "puker."  We had him examined and we were told he was fine that some cats just do that. Continued with life and we played with various foods because it would get worse with certain ones.  Finally probably the past 4 months, he has only had a few hairballs and a very few food vomiting episodes.  Much improvement.  He has had a great appetite, no loss of energy, acting as his usual self..nothing and I mean NOTHING unusual to suspect that he was sick in any way!  30 minutes before he died he was playing with my husband and was fine...perfectly fine.

I came out of my sons room and noticed that the cat had a BM at the top of the stairs... this never happens!  I looked at the bottom of the stairs and saw him standing there "trying" to vomit.  When he would vomit his body would do this strange stuff.  Anyhow, I started down the stairs to try and help him and ease him while he was doing his vomiting episode as I have done many times in the past.  As I approached the stairs I saw red and wondered what he was eating that was red because we knew "that food" didn't work for him and we stopped buying it.  It wasn't food ...it was blood everywhere.  He was throwing up blood and it was mucusy and frothy and it was almost like it was choking him.  I tried to help him but there was nothing to do.  He layed down in the pool of red blood and died.  I sat with him and held him till it was over.  What could have caused this if he was showing no signs of illness.  He is an indoor cat only so poison is not an option or getting hit is not an option.  He was not losing weight, he was not lethargic or acting strange.  I never felt a lump on him, he never backed away from touch etc.  There was so much blood and i'm grateful that at least he died quickly.  My heart is breaking and I'm just wondering what could have happened to him so quickly?  

Thank you

[kwm2007]

Thank you everyone for your kind words.  It is still strange not to have him at the house and I've actually had nightmares of reliving those brief moments over again.  Seeing the fear in his eyes as I know he was asking me for help and wanting me to make him better.  He had no idea what was happening to him or why.  One minute he is asking for treats and a bite of your hand and the next he is......gone.  I miss him so much.

[skepticalpeach]

That sounds so sad, I'm sorry for your kitty. It sounds like something, indeed was wrong. At least he held on and enjoyed life until the last possible second!

[LindaTX]

I offer you my condolences on the loss of your kitty.  I don't know if the straining while vomiting could precipitate an aortic anurysm but it could be a possibility.  It's so sad to lose one so young.  I'm so sorry.

[kwm2007]

Thank you for your kind words.  I  am not really expecting a diagnosis, of course, but not know what could have happened in 30 minutes is just what is so disturbing to me.  When I say a lot of blood....it looked like someone stabbed him and he bled out...it was horrific to see.  Again, thank you for the kind and comforting words.

[opus88]

I am so sorry for the sudden and traumatic loss of your kitty. that is quite an unexpected loss for you.

I really don't know what to tell you, other than a sudden loss of so much blood does indicate going into cardiac arrest.
but why the sudden blood loss, perhaps an ulcer that perforated? that may explain why the attacks of vomiting as well?
I'm not a Vet and sorry cannot give you much more insite as to why this happened?
Maybe others on this site can offer other suggestions.

I will include a site that has some info although limited.
again I am so sorry for your loss.

http://www.petplace.com/cats/hematemesis-vomiting-blood-in-cats/page1.aspx