Vet Said She Wasn't Dying ... But Then She Did

I just wonder if anyone else might be able to help me, considering I no longer trust the vet I've been going to for years...

My cat Vernie was 18 years old. I didn't ever fool myself that she would live much longer, but at least took her to the vet when she took a sudden, dramatic turn for the worse. I had to know if the end was near and determine if she was in pain or not. The vet said she was anemic and dehydrated. Then he took blood and said her levels were high and low (depending on which level it was) but that nothing indicated she was near death at all. For 3 days we rehydrated her and gave her electrolytes. She improved, albeit slightly. On the afternoon of her 4th hydration, I came home, took one look at her and knew she was minutes from death. She looked helplessly at me, I held her and told her it was ok to go, she took 3 agonizing breaths and died in my arms.

I guess he OBVIOUSLY missed something. What I wonder is if anyone out there has or had a kitty that experienced the following just before death .... Sudden and rapid weight loss, anemia, severe dehydration, walked like a drunk, tipped over, lots of eye goop, but ate and drank like usual. She also peed and pooped normally.

I'm sooooo lost without her, especially because I took it for granted that she supposedly WASN'T dying. I'm afraid there was something I could have done to help her. I just pray that someone else might know what she might have died from - that maybe their vet knew what it was and explained it to them so I can get some closure .... PLEASE

Greiving for my baby girl,
Stephanie