sudden death

hello! my 11 year old lab died unexpectedly this week... he had 2 cancer surgeries of a spindle cell sarcoma 1 in his mouth 2 years ago and in june he had a large tumor removed from his neck area that was the same cancer.. he was doing great so we assumed. on monday he had a skin tag removed off of his elbow that had been there for years and recently started to bleed so i decided to have it removed with a local anesthetic. that was no big deal for him. the vets checked him out totally said heart lungs were clear he was great... wednesday he was dead... he started breathing heavy and wouldnt walk...gums were white!! and he was cold :( but awake. we got him to the vet, ultrasound showed nothing with the heart but they did find a "SMALL POOL OF BLOOD" between his liver and abdomen. no evident tumors anywhere.... he died on his own only about 3 hours after showing signs of distress... what could have happen in your opinion.. the unknown is killing me. i wouldnt do an autopsy he needs to rest in peace.  can i please have your opinion..thank you.
judy

[ginger899]

I send you my deepest sympathy. It is sad and hard to lose a member of your family, as I'm sure he was. He was a good dog I'm certain, and was well loved.

I agree with your decision not to do a necropsy. I don't think I would want that done either, under the circumstances. Of course, without one, you would never know as an absolute fact, what he died of. He didn't suffer very long at the end, and that is a blessing I suppose.

I wonder if it was an abdominal aneurysm, or some 'ballooning' of the Portal Vein? Things like this can be 'silent killers', in both humans and animals. They often show no real symptoms, can hang in there for ages, but just as easily can suddenly give way.
But of course I can't really know what it was, any more than you can.

Anyway, treasure your memories of him. I am very sorry.

[AireScottie]

So sorry this happened!  

[chasha33]

I just wanted to say how sorry i am for the loss of your fur baby.There could have been an underlying problem like Ginger said.You will be in my prayers.May God Bless You and your family...Chan