Blood clot?

[kdbv]

HI. My 16 yrs old cocker spaniel died a couple of months ago.  I am not sure what was the cause and i need to know.
He felt and apparently broke the cruciate ligament of his hind leg.  He survived the operation and was doing fine.  The artificial ligament broke two days ago and the dr said he needed to operated again.
He did and survive the operation but the ligament broke two days later.  We decide we would build a prosthesis or something to help him walk .   On the morning he died he refused to eat or drink water but he was very affectionate.  Then he tried to stand up and i help him but he is anxious so i carried him.  He started screaming, arching his back and bitting my shirt... i put him on the bed, his eyes went backwards and he kept screaming... after we get the vet they put a lot of analgesic and he keeps screaming... he is quite for a bit then he screams again... until he died.
I dont know what happened.  Did i hurt him when i lift him? did he has a heart attack? are heart attack supposed to be that painful?  was he conscious? was he screaming of pain?
Thanks... i just need to know what happened.  The vet said he was old and probably had a heart attack... but i am not sure.

[Jaybay]

Bless your heart!  What a traumatic experience for you.  :-(  Did your vet give you any kind of a guess as to what happened aside from a heart attack?  I suspect the only way to know for certain would involve an autopsy examination, and it's obviously too late for that.  I really don't think his death had anything to do with you picking him up.  Something major happened inside, and yes, it could have been a blood clot that blocked the flow of blood to a major organ. But again, there's no way of knowing.

Try not to heap a huge guilt trip on yourself.  For any dog to live for 16 years shows he had marvelous care his whole life.  ACL injuries are difficult to deal with in any dog, much less one of such advanced years.  You tried your best to do everything possible for your dog, but time was not on your side.  I'm so very sorry for loss, and pray that you find peace and can eventually bring another dog into your life for another 16+ years.  

[suzi-q]

I am very sorry for your loss. Those last moments must have been very difficult for you to witness, but PLEASE do not focus on those last moments when you had 16 wonderful years.  Your dog is at peace now and know that you did everything wonderful for him.  I wish you peace, comfort and strength during this difficult time.