sudden death of a happy chihuahua

[maremot]

our luna was only 11.  she died on dec 13th, 2015. shes had GI medical concerns that we noticed in 2012.  she was always taken to the vet whenever she seemed "off".  she acted happy and ate well. he would weigh her, check her temp, listen to heart and bowel sounds and she would just seem fine again.  we changed her diet as advised and kept close watch on her. it seems she would be just fine for months, then struggle again . her belly was always a little bloated event though she didnt eat much.  the nite she died, she was her normal self.  she barked and enjoyed the nite.  we went to bed at 2am and at 4am i heard her let out 2 large gasps.  she was gone. cpr didnt work.  we took her to a pet crematory and the mortician noted that her belly seemed large for her size, and full of fluid.  she told us this could have been cardiac in nature or maybe something else. we had our baby cremated. the mortician told us she noted luna had a large tumor and apparent metastsis.  she suggested multiorgan shutdown/failure due to the extensive nature of the tumor.  is this possible? she seemed fine, but in retrospect, she did have a large belly for her small size.  she did eat and drink, occassionally Yakking up her water.  she did drink a lot of water.  she did sleep a lot. her bowel movements were at times very thin and watery and other times normal. i cant get over the way she just died so suddenly.  

[Margot49]

I am so sorry for your loss.  It us never easy to lose our beloved pets, expected or not.  At least you know she had a tumor.  
I had Shelties for years.  I think I had 5 here at the time.  They had access to the service porch area and a doggie door that went to a large fenced area outside.  They were kept here when I was at work or out if the house.  I knew they were safe and nothing for them to get in to.  One morning, I fed them all, as usual.  Everyone was fine and ate. Came home a few hours later and only 4 of the dogs greeted me inside. Called the one not inside but she was not coming in. Very odd.  I rush outside to see her laying on her side. I rush over and she was still alive but in shock.  Rushed her the short drive to my Vet but she passed.  Asked my Vet to do a necropsy.  She had a large tumor on her liver that had burst.  There was no sign, none, that there was anything wrong with this dog.  Had I not had the ne roost done, I would have second guessed myself!  This dog was only 5 or 6 years old.
We can only do the best we can and it certainly sounds like you did.  
Hugs

[kerk2]

So sorry. So many here know the pain, and the 'second guessing'. I have had to put 6 to rest over the last 5 years. The last was as heartbreaking as the first. I always hoped that God would make the decision to take them when it was time, but it never happened. I always had to decide, and it was always the worst experience I ever had.

And each time, I always second guessed myself as to what I should have done differently. It is common.

All we can do is realize that we gave them a life, something that so many others never get. Take comfort in that.