Sudden Death of "Healthy" Dog...

[greg30127]

This is similar to other posts but slightly detailed so I'll post it:  Two weeks ago the day after Xmas, I came home and my 12yo Shepherd/mix was fine.  She was at least outwardly, a perfectly healthy and energetic dog for her age, and passed her yearly exam only two months earlier.

She went out and used the bathroom normally and came to the back door acting normally.  Then, I saw her lay upright on the ground and start a very very slow, deep, breathing.  She was not choking.  She would not drink water or look directly at me.  She then tried to stand and wobbled up, very unsteady, took a few steps, and her bowels emptied a large amount of stool (not watery, normal), onto the ground.  She walked a few feet more, laid down, rolled over, and breathed the deep, slow, heavy breathing for 3-4 minutes, and then, she died.  She did not seem to be in any apparent pain or panic/distress during the entire thing.  Once she passed, she was just staring forward, and her tongue was "twisted" slightly and hanging out.

We're devastated, as this was completely unexpected and sudden.  Now, on one board I saw one vet say that other vets that say it's a heart attack are "lazy", and that nothing can be even remotely concluded unless a necropsy is done - and even then maybe nothing will be known.   I find it hard to believe with decades of modern veterinary medicine behind us now, that there are no semi-conclusive answers out there since this is happening to quite a few people (?).   I realize without a necropsy there's no way to know 100%, but with the description I gave is it "reasonably safe" to assume this was some sort of sudden and powerful cardiac event, or, does it sound more like a stroke?    Thank you

[bonbon1009]

I came across this forum as I was searching for answers for the loss of my own baby...and I just couldnt stop crying while reading all your posts and thinking about my dearest little one gone too soon. My perfectly healthy happy almost 3 year old toy poodle passed away at a pet resort/kennel while I was overseas for holiday. I dropped her off at the pet resort and the last thing I said to her was "have a good time". Only 5 days later, I got a call while overseas from the resort saying my baby was at the vet, sick with bloody diarrhea and vomitting, and asked for my permission for treatment, which I gave. I didnt even think that was critical, until half an hour later the vet called me saying my baby had a cardia arrest, I instructed them to do whatever to save her. But unfortunately she passed away half an hour later. From her arrival at the vet till her death, it was only 1 hr 15 min! And I was shocked to learn, that the vet never got the treatment permission from the kennel, though they treated her straightaway without thr permission form signed anyways; and the kennel never left my contact details with the vet. The vet had to phone my dog's usual vet to get my phone number....im totally festroyed, as my baby was everything to me and she passed away one day short of her 3rd birthday...  she loved me so much, and im blaming myself every second for not being able to be there for her when she needed me the most. The kennel/pet resort is avoiding me, giving me trespassing notice, blaming the vet, and now accusing my baby was carrying parvo, which endangers her resort and threatening to take legal action! However, the truth ie we both knew my dog was vaccinated against parvo, which she saw the record. And thank god, the vet did a parvo test, which of course came back negative. I am considering an autopsy, but I cant even bear the thought of what she has to go through. Im mad, angry and devastated,  and I feel I cant even grieve in peace. Although the cause of illness is still unknown, but im angered by the attitude and the way the kennel handled the situation. If i could turn back time, if I knew, I would never ever leave her there..

[tonyb286]

Hi. The sudden loss of a beloved pet dog is devastating and invades our lives for months and sometimes years after the event. Grief takes us all in different ways and to different degrees. I am very sorry you still feel traumatized, a year later, but this is very normal and not uncommon. I would urge you to read my article about the loss of a dog, it may help: http://www.infobarrel.com/When_a_Pet_Dog_Dies

Tony

[RunNinaRun]

How much heart break.  I read all the posts.  So sad.  My little Rat Terrier Nina passed away suddenly over a year ago. She had the best food, regular vet visits, daily exercise and tones of love.  There hasn't been a day since that I don't think about her.  She was 6 years old.  Plus, I have awful nightmares in which somehow she died because of something I did or didn't do.  Somehow deep inside I feel I failed her.  What did I miss?  Could I have done something different?  I loved her so very much. I feel devasted for not having said goodbye to her.  I didn't know she was dying!  I was in disbelief as it happened in front of my eyes.  I just crashed.  After all, she was healthy and happy.  I always thought of Nina as my soulmate, to my husband's dismay and reply: what about me?  We have adopted 2 more Ratties since and they are loved and spoiled, but Nina never leaves my thoughts.  

[tonyb286]

Hello and welcome to the forum, though obviously I am saddened by the circumstances. Sudden death is very hard on owners, because we often try second-guessing what happened, whether we could have done something to prevent it and we feel shocked at the sudden loss. Of course, for your best friend, it was the best way to go - if he had to go. You are right, it was most probably a heart attack and therefore very quick.

I am very sorry for your loss, but try to remember that your best friend had 8 wonderful years, full of love and adventure, thanks to you both. Not all dogs are so fortunate ... and if he could, he would thank you for giving him a fabulous life and for sharing it with him.

Tony x

[Nana2Nana]

I am somewhat comforted by what I've read here. Our mastiff died suddenly  2 days ago much like most of your described. He was 8 years old and though he had lost a lot of weight seemed perfectly healthy. We had checked for worms because he was so thin but he didn't have them. He ate normally, was active and happy. He had been walking around the yard and my husband came inside to fix him and our other dog dinner. We heard a horrid sounding moan and I looked out the back door to see him laying on his side not moving. I called for my husband who went outside in time to see him take a couple deep breaths and just like that he was gone. We are of course, heartbroken and confused just like you all have said. Wondering if he got in to poison or something. After reading these posts I am more convinced that he had a heart attack or maybe had a blood clot. It kind of helps to know that this does happen and there was nothing we could have done to prevent it.

[tonyb286]

Hello. Time has now passed from that dreadful day, when you lost Annabelle. For whatever reason, the forum didn't post your thread at the time to me, so I have only just caught up with it. I hope you are still on the forum and have got some comfort from it. Although losing Anabelle must have been dramatic and dreadful, particularly at that time of the year, she passed quickly and with you at her side. Grief sometimes takes a long time to dissipate, and as the months roll forward, normal routines can take over - yet, out of the blue, we can find ourselves deep in grief again, without warning. Thankfully, there is this forum and the wonderful people on it when these times occur. There is comfort in a shared experience, and many here understand how the loss of a best friend can impact on a human life.

I hope your own grief has eased by now - I just wanted to connect with you and pass on my condolences. Tony