Sammy was a 5 year old lab mix, best guess has always been mixed with pit. She was very happy, healthy, very smart, and loving to everyone.
Some weeks ago she began to randomly help as if in some sort of pain. I kept an eye on this, but it seemed to have stopped after I took her to get her anal glands expressed. They were both very full. Fast forward to the morning of 01/20/2016, I wake up in the morning and she yelps again which of course is worrisome since I thought that was taken care of. I thought maybe she was holding in bowels or urine for too long, so I let her outside. It was snowing, and usually when she notices snow, she either doesn't go out or she makes her bathroom break quick. I watched from the window as she urinated, then had a bowel movement. After that, she ran to the very back fence where a few trees are and laid down behind them. This worried me big time. She would not come back in when called, so I had to coax her back inside. She made more yelps, and laid down right when she got inside the door. I placed a blanket on her and took her to the vet. They thought maybe it was pain in her hind legs, but also noticed she was not lifting her head up, so possible pain there from something. They did x-rays and found nothing wrong. They gave me the options of starting her on pain meds and a steroid, or having a fluid tap done. I went with the meds. She came back out all loopy from the sedation for the x-rays, and we went home. I was told to use a harness, be very careful of her neck, etc.
She laid on her bed the rest of the day. I took her outside a few times, but she didn't do anything but stand there and slowly try to lay down. At around 7pm she suddenly had a grand mal seizure, and it was horrific to watch. She wet her bed and her eyes were moving rapidly up and down. Luckily some friends were over, one of which works for a vet clinic and knew the meds I gave her, so she drove as I sat in the back seat and reached over to ensure Sammy was comforted and didn't move too much. She continued to, I think, have more small seizures judging by her sounds and movement. When we got there they rushed her inside, asked me questions. I was able to see her before leaving, they had fluids hooked up and she was just laying on her belly looking peaceful. She seemed very out of it, and looked at me as if she didn't know me. The doctor said her pupils were different sizes, which is not a good sign. She also did not respond to a "pain test" where they pinch a toe (or something like that).
At 2 AM, I got a call that her condition worsened. They did blood tests with nothing coming back. She was not responding to her name or touch. Her breathing worsened. I got there as fast as I could, and they had to put a breathing tube in her to keep her breathing. The doctor told me they could try CPR, but that it was likely not to work. So I said alright, let her pass. The hardest decision I've ever had to make. She passed quickly and quietly, which I am thankful for.
I am just at a loss and no one had an answer as to what exactly happened, other than "something in her brain" such as a possible tumor. But at that age? Maybe it is hereditary? It is possible she was exposed to, or ate something that I am unaware of. Breaks my heart that she was still young and was, at least from an outside appearance, healthy.