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

[tonyb286]

Hello again. It's been a while since Roxie left and I was just wondering how you are doing. Sometimes grief creeps up on us, although usually it eases with time. I am sure you have had moments when tears have arrived without warning, and then subsided, and I hope these occasions have become less over the last three months.

Still thinking about you ... and remembering how Roxie changed your lives for the better.

Cyber hugs. Tony x

[tonyb286]

Hello. I am so very sorry for your loss. What a fantastic age Bailey reached. You must have been so attentive to her over the years, cared for health issues and doted on her that she stayed so long. Although I can only imagine how grief stricken you must be, in many ways, the way Bailey passed was so peaceful and gentle and very natural ... what better way to go, if anyone has to go at all. Bailey went to sleep in her own bed, in her own home, with all those that loved her doing their usual things, like nothing was amiss. She just didn't waken from her slumber.

You are likely to be right, it was probably a heart attack, and probably very sudden. She would probably not have known anything was wrong, otherwise I think she would have been out of her bed.

Run free Bailey. Cyber hugs to you and your family. Tony

[Bailey9]

Great comments here. I needed this tonight. Lost my best friend yesterday. Bailey was a very happy, healthy, fun loving 18.5 year old Cockapoo. Don't really understand what happened, but I'm thinking it was heart related. The day before she was running & playing with our kids. No issue at all. The morning of was normal. Went outside to do her business, came back in got some breakfast then went back down to take a nap after we all left for school and work. Wife went out to store for a hour or so. Came back to see my best friend still sleeping the same way when she left. But she was gone.

As I sit here and type this, all I can think about is that I hope she is happy, well fed, and not missing me as much as I miss her. God bless you Bailey, you have changed my life & our kids, your sisters.

Until we meet again my friend.  Big hugs Bailey!!! XOX!

[JGB74]

My beloved pug Annabelle, died Christmas Eve Day.  I rescued her when she was between 1-2 years old. She became  my constant companion and best friend.   Today marks a month since she passed. She had had a cough and then a urinary infection,which was being treated for by her vet. And yes, she seemed to be slowing down, breathing on occasion more heavily than usual, she didn't play with her toys as she use to, but was still her feisty little self. Happily ate her meals, loved going out  and taking our walks though they were  not as long a walk as when  she was  a pup. She had trouble seeing. She slept more than usual, and not always with me as she use to. She loved her new bed which I bought her before Christmas.  I knew she was getting older and slowing down but didn't realize she was as old as the vet told me after she died. He said, 11- or 12. I keep asking myself, why didn't I realize this.  I cannot conceive being without her, it is incredibly painful. On that fateful day,  we went for a walk, she did her business, and walking back home,  I lifted her up to play in leaves, which she loved, she was happily sniffing.  After a few minutes, I climbed up the small embankment and said, "Sweetheart time to go inside now". I started picking her up and as soon as I did, she bolted out of my arms, and  fell to the ground and didn't get up.  I said, "Annabelle come, get up,  she was staring at me with her beautiful brown eyes. she didn't move.  I picked her up , held her in my arms, she twitched once, she was gone.   In disbelief I  yelled for help,   Her tongue now hanging out of her mouth  staring  wide-eyed at me. I'll never forget that look. I kept thinking maybe she's in shock, I'll get her to the vet. Maybe she's in a coma, anything but dead   I was in shock, disbelief, one minute she is sniffing  leaves, the next minute lying lifeless in my arms.  The vet later told me she most likely had an arrythmia, a "sudden death".  I will never forget her eyes and lifeless little body. I pray she didn't suffer, it happened so suddenly and I  am grateful I was holding her.  I pray she heard me and didn't die alone.   She was very special and will live forever in my heart.  I am crying as I write this.  She was my little girl. She taught me patience, tolerance and so much more.  She brought me happiness and joy. I am forever indebted to her.
Like all of the posts here it is incredibly sad to lose a beloved pet, we must be grateful for the time they gave us and the time we spent with them, loving them and they loving us. How lucky we've been to have  had that experience They gave us a better life for having had  them in our lives.  I keep thinking of the words, "To everything there is a season, a time to live, a time to die."  Our pets only fault is that they usually die before we do. May we all be re-united with them one day.
God Bless us all.    

[Rockdoggie]

Thank you so much for your kind words.  I am comforted as much as I can be that she didn't suffer.  It would kill me to see her suffer.  I tried to give her the best life and most love I could.  Her love for me is just something I have never felt.  I know my husband and kids love me but Roxie really made me a better person and taught me to love better and sweeter.  She got me through very difficult times.  Roxie was our first dog.  My husband was never an animal lover and was very resistant to get her in the first place but Roxie completely changed him.  He grew to love her like I did and is grieving more than he has for his aunts and uncles that have passed.  I just can't believe she is gone.   Thank you again for your kind words.

[Margot49]

Yes, welcome to the Forum.  You are among friends and many who have shared the sadness if your loss.  I am so sorry and understand your grieving.  

Most  likely a heart attack but, if it is any comfort, at least your little one didn't't suffer from some chronic disease or cancer.  

I read something recently that said that our pets come into our lives to teach us to love.  When they leave us, they teach us about loss.  

How lucky Roxie was to be so loved so much for 14 years.  Happy memories will return.

Hugs to you and your family