sudden death

I just lot Katie my poodle of 9 years. she was outside for 4 hrs , early hrs of morning. when we found her she was lethargic and breathing fast. the vet told us to put warm blankets . within 1 hr she died in our arms. autopsy was done Vet says it was not  hypothermia as she was warm and there were no other signs. The autopsy showed 1 lung to be completely collapsed. What was the cause of death ? Any suggestion?

[dominosarah]

I am so sorry about the loss of Katie.......may you find comfort in her memories.....sara

[Jaybay]

I can't imagine the pain of losing your baby in such a way.  Did your vet offer any explanation as to why the lung collapsed?  He is the person who should be discussing the cause of death with you.  If possible, obtain a copy of the written autopsy report and review it with your vet.  With the written report, you can also post the results to our Med Help vets on the Ask a Vet forum for their opinion.

I assume you are in a cold part of the country if the vet initially suspected hypothermia?  Was she generally an indoor pet and not used to being outside for long periods of time?  Looking back on the past few days or weeks, were there any small symptoms or behavior changes you can think of that might indicate something was going wrong?

I applaud you for going ahead with the post-mortem.  Most people don't want to spend the money and forever wonder what happened.  I'm hoping that you will learn more through looking at the written report.  You did everything right.  You saw that Katie was in trouble and called your vet for advice.  I know you're in pain and grief right now, but try to remember that Katie had 9 good and happy years with you.  Try not to let the traumatic ending overshadow all the good times.  :-)

[Ghilly]

Please accept my most sincere condolences on the loss of your Katie.  It's so difficult to lose a furbaby, but it's even moreso when the events surrounding it are unexplainable.

I'm sure your vet will be able to answer your questions when the final results of the necropsy are in.  In the meantime, try to find comfort in the fact that, while it is traumatic to lose a pet suddenly, she didn't suffer for a prolonged period of time with an illness.  It doesn't make the loss any easier to take, I know.  I wish there was something that I could say to you that would make it better.  

I'm sure that you have many wonderful memories of Katie, and those memories will never go away.  She will live in your heart forever, and one day you will see her again.  Here is one of my favorite poems in memory of your Katie:

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow,
I am the diamond glints on snow,
I am the sun on ripened grain,
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there; I did not die.
                                 Mary Frye


Ghilly