Why did our dog die suddenly?

[murphy7312]

I've been reading these discussions and gotten some comfort.  Our 7 yr old golden retriever just died suddenly, and it's driving us crazy, so I have to ask the same question.
  
Copper is a big (95lb) golden retriever, healthy except for a small tumor removed a year ago.  He got his routine vets checkup June 15, and had a clean bill of health (including palpating the abdomen, where the tumor was).  

4 days ago, we noticed in the morning he had not eaten his dinner.  He showed no other signs of discomfort, no vomiting etc., so we watched, but thought it might just be loss of appetite from the heat (It has been very hot here, and he seemed to be avoiding the outside).  So we let him rest, gave him lots of cold water, which he drank well.  I hosed him off that evening outside and noticed he did not shake the water off, something he usually does enthusiastically.  That evening, he sort of declined to go on a walk with our son, so he tried again in the morning when it was cooler, but the dog did not want to go then either.  I took him for a walk in the afternoon, hoping he was feeling better (this is the 2nd day since he didn't eat dinner), and he went very slowly around the block, but peed and had a bowel movement.  That night he started labored breathing, we took him to the ER, and he died in our arms.

We are all devastated, and were so shocked we buried him the next day and did not think to bring him to the vet for a necropsy.  So it's driving us crazy.  Can anybody put 2 and 2 together on this?  I thought it might be GDV (twisting of the gastric tract), but he was missing one symptom, bloated stomach.  But in retrospect, the failure to shake his fur coat after getting wet might have been significant.  Help us understand if you can.

[allmaxed]

I share you're pain, as I myself have had the torturous experience of losing my beloved dog , suddenly and unexpectedly. I have never been as heartbroken as I am now. So I understand how you feel and I can only hope that pain does not last as long as we cherish the memories of our list friends . ='(

[allmaxed]

I am utterly heartbroken , my best friend died Thursday night out of nowhere he was such a happy, healthy and playful little guy. He was only 18 months old and we spoiled and showered him with love since the day we brought him home. He was only 2 months then. A small 3lb Papilion and by the time he passed away he wasn't much bigger. I played ball with him every single day. As soon as he heard my car door shut, I could see his little nose peeking thru the blinds and before I got to the front door, he would be there so excited . I just don't understand what happened to him. He was fine , happy as usual. Then all of a sudden he dropped to the ground screaming with all four of his legs stretched out stiff. We held him thinking maybe he hurt his paw but he immediately went limb. We ran to the animal hospital which was literally 2 mins up the road. But it was too late, he was gone before we got there. So literally 2hrs after we playing outside I had to bury him in the same place he loved to play. Now like most of you here. We have all experienced heartache over a breakup or whatever, but this truly the worst I have ever felt in my life. I am a grown man and I have been crying like a child for days. I just wish I could've saved him. All the ani al hospital could say is that it was possibly a blood clot , or aneurysm that may have ruptured and killed him. Now I loved this little guy and it was hard enough burying him, so I was not about to have him torn apart to get a better answer. God this is so hard.

[Maggieban]

Im completely gutted , our beautiful King Charles aged 8 yrs died suddenly yesterday in Animal hospital , found out he had a Tumour on his kidneys , and eventually had kidney failure , he was a beautiful wee dog , and we loved him so much , can't stop crying xox

[Lovey566]

Our male Lab, Zeus, had a lump that we had removed. Within a year, we took him back to the vets because he wasn't doing well and having seizures.  They took X-rays and it should 10 to 12 rumors in his chest area.  I believe that first surgery caused the cancer to spread.  He was only three. That was devastating when we put him down.  Now last week, we just lost his sister suddenly.  It was 4 yrs between their deaths..  So sorry for your loss also.  

[Lovey566]

So sorry for your loss.

[supermommyto4]

My almost 8 year old Golden Retriever dies suddenly this morning. She had a cystic splenic mass removed 3 days ago. Within 24 hours of the surgery, so was up, eating and wanting to be playful. She was back to her normal healthy self. This morning, she woke up and was herself, happy. She went outside to poop, twice, then headed back to the house. She took a few steps, laid down, got up and tried to take a few more, but her legs gave out on her. I went out there, she was cold, her gums weren't pink, she was breathing differently, and not wanting to get up. We rolled her onto a blanket and carried her to the car. At the vet they gave her oxygen, a catheter , fluid, and were monitoring her. Her heart rate was down. Her x-rays showed her heart was slightly small, lungs slightly gray, but not terribly. The ultrasound showed no fluid in her abdomen. Over the next hour her heart rate and temperature continued t go down, and she passed right there, less than an hour after being completely happy and normal acting. We are being told it was most likely a blood clot. Has anyone else experienced this? We are grieving for our big girl, and want to know if we could have done more.