My dog died this morning.....so confused

My 14ish year old lab/german short hair mix died suddently this morning. He was fine last night, and slept well.  This morning I got him up to go to the restroom, I noticed he got up with a limp on his right hind leg, he limped down the stairs and seemed to have lost stability when he got to the bottom of the stairs and his hind leg appeared to give out on him.

He was acting very odd and seemed like he was having a hard time walking, therefore, I had him lay down, while I was patting him, his eyes were open but did not seemed focused they just turned "glossy"....all of a sudden he defecated while he wasy lying down, we rushed him to the vet hospital which is 2 minutes away from our home...and when the Dr. checked him, he had passed away.

I am so confused and am searching for ANY indication of what could have happened.  I am glad he did not suffer, but all I can think of....is what happened, could I have done something to prevent this.  If there is anyone out there, that can help me understand...please...I ask for your help....Lisa

[TwoBitsMom]

Lisa...
I am so sorry for your loss.
I know you would like to know what caused your dogs death, and if you could have done anything to prevent it, but the fact that your dog seemed in good health until this morning, tells me that there were no indications that he had any health issues.  You had no warning or clues that anything was wrong.Therefore, there is nothing you could have done to prevent it.
Sometimes things are just out of our control.
You need to remind yourself that he lived for 14 wonderful years, and it is due in part to the wonderful care you gave him.
It is truly a blessing that he lived 14 years, and his passing was so quick.
He was a lucky dog to live his life in the company of someone who loves him.
God Bless his Beautiful Spirit and Soul....he is much loved.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
Connie

[meg321]

Lisa, I am so sorry for your loss and understand how you must feel.  It does sound like he had a good life.  I just put mine down at 15, but when we took her in the Vet said her heart almost ready to stop.  

Sometimes there are no answers, just acceptance.

I will keep you in my prayers.

love, meg

[ginger899]

I can't say much more than has been said already, but that I am so very sorry. I think the hardest part of his passing is that you had no warning, he just left. It was a good death, if there can ever be such a thing. The last thing he knew was he was lying down in the place he loved, with the person he loved stroking him. He would have just lost consciousness very gently and very quickly, and probably felt no pain.
Bless him, and you, for this has come as such a shock I know. Hold your memories of him in the Light.

[tonyb286]

Hello Lisa. Like others above, I just wanted to add my condolences on losing your best friend so suddenly. I am sure you are still in shock - and grieving - and completely heartbroken. It's very sad, but try to think of the 14 wonderful years you shared with your dog - and the 14 wonderful years he enjoyed sharing with you. He was truly lucky to have been a member of your family.

It sounds to me like he may have had a stroke, which might have caused him to lose partial use of his hind leg. It would also have caused the confusion and 'glassy' look in his eyes. The heart would have been damaged by this (and might have been damaged previously, just through old age and having worn itself out). The final end may have come through a heart attack brought on by the stress of having a stroke, which could not have been prevented.

It is always so very sad when we lose our dogs. It is a cruel twist of fate that they just don't live nearly as long as we would like them to. But your best friend was at the end of his own long life, and if he could he would thank you for all the happy days months and years he has enjoyed. You are in my thoughts. Hugs from the UK, Tony