Intestinal growths in 10 month old Saint Bernard and Sudden Death

[SmoresSaints]

My 10 month old Saint Bernard died last Tuesday. The vet did an autopsy and found numerous intestinal growths that are blueish/black with blue spots. He stated that he had never seen anything like that before. As of today, the lab is perplexed, also. My baby girl was not sick- eating, drinking, habits, bowels, etc. were normal. She woke, as usual, last Tuesday morning, gave me little kisses and went and layed down in her spot by the door. Fifteen minutes later I got up and she had died- there were no whimpers, etc... nothing. She just died. It was not her heart, or other organ. Nobody knows what happened to my baby girl. Please, if somebody, somewhere in the world has a clue- please let me know. Thank you.

[Soccer2121]

I just lost my St Bernard yesterday afternoon. He was only 2.5 years old and such a lover and gentle guy. I was outside power washing my fence when I turn around and he was playing with my other two dogs (Berneese and Bulldog) then approx 45 seconds later I turned around again and he was lying 2 feet away from me crying very loudly, I though he hurt his leg running around. I then tried talking to him and trying to get him to move. He didn't so I ran in and got my wife out of the house by the time we got back outside (30 seconds) he had died. I'm just hurt beyond believe and this seems so surreal. I just can't figure out what happen. He was not sick and has been doing everything he always has.

[specialmom]

Wow, so very sorry to hear this.  A young dog!  Your dog had regular annual vet visits?  Could the vet give any insight?  I'd make sure there isn't anything poisonous in the area (especially since you have two other dogs).  My deepest sympathies for your loss. Dogs are like family.  

[Digram]

I'm  very sorry to hear of your dog's passing. I wish I had an answer. My daughter, son-in-law, and three grandchildren lost their one year old St Bernard Elsa to sudden death as well. There was no obvious or apparent reason for her death. It seems good to share these incidences though with the hope of finding a clue as to why this happens. It could prevent others from losing their dog, and help put some sense as to why it happened. Thank you.

[smiley1976]

First I'm so sorry for your loss.

My Saint Jasmin was taken from me suddenly last month,
i was out for a walk with her, when we got home she was tired but happy,
she layed Down in her place to rest,
just 1 hour later she was gone,
not a sound or nothing, she just died.
she was only 5 years old, and i dont understand it,
she was in great healt and shoved no sign of illness in any way.

Michael

[Ghilly]

First let me say that I am SO SORRY to hear about your puppy!   It's hard enough to say goodbye when they have lived good, long lives, it's just impossible to fathom saying goodbye to such a young, seemingly healthy puppy.  My most sincere condolences to you and your family.

The first thing I would do, if you have not already done so, is to contact the breeder and let them know what has happened.  This will serve several purposes.  The first is to let them know that one of their puppies has died.  Another is so you can basically grill them to find out if they have ever had any type of inherited disease in their bloodline.  You need to know this so that you can tell your vet, and they need to be aware of the puppy's death so that they have the option of not repeating the breeding and possibly producing another puppy who may have the problem.  

I know that now is not the time to be petty or vindictive, however purebred puppies are not cheap, and any responsible breeder SHOULD have had a health guarantee on their puppies that should be honored in a case such as this.  As long as there is no evidence that anything that YOU did was directly responsible for this puppy's death, the breeder needs to either reimburse your money IN FULL, or provide you with a replacement puppy that has been completely vetted and found to be free of any genetic problems, preferrably from different parents.  

From what you have described, I would be leaning toward some type of inherited cancer.  There is a cancer called Peutz-Jeghers syndrome that produces the type of lesions that you have described in the intestines.  I don't know the prevalence in canines but it is possible for dogs to develop it.  Everything else that can cause sudden death (bloat, twisted spleen, things of that nature) is preceded by the dog showing obvious signs of illness such as vomiting and/or obvious signs of being in pain, which your puppy did not show.  This IS very mysterious.  I would send the growths out to a veterinary college (University of Pennsylvania, Tufts or Cornell) to have them tested to see what they are.  There will be your answer, I feel.

Please post back and let us know what they finally find out.

Again, I am sorry for your loss.

Ghilly