Sudden death of 7 yr golden retriever

[buddy710]

My family is deeply saddened by the death of our 7 year old golder retriever, Buddy.  There are no words to say how wonderful and beautiful Buddy was.  Yesterday started to be a normal day for Buddy.  I was on the couch and he came up to me looking fine and then his eyes started to shift, he began to sway and finally fell to the ground.  He was awake, but he could not move.   We rushed him to the animal hospital were the doctor gave him oxygen and began to ask us questions.  The doctor did not know were to began, because Buddy was in such bad shape..  He asked if Buddy had ate some medicine or sniffed some poison, which the answer was no.  The doctor could not tell us what happened to Buddy.  Everything happened so fast!  Within an hour he went from fine to gone..
We have three children who are also mourning the loss of their dog and all I keep wondering is why?

[Aleda M Cheng, D.V.M., C.V.A]

Let me first say I am so sorry about your sad loss!

One of the most common causes of sudden death in a middle aged dog is  hamangiocarcinoma, or a sphenic cancer that has burst suddenly into the abdominal cavity.  There can be no outward signs of sickness, just extreme weakness.  It is very hard to save these pets because after the tumor bursts it causes massive internal bleeding.  If the pet survives  there is still the sequellae and necessity of having to deal with the cancer which may have already metasticized.

Rat poisoning and some other cancers can cause similar problems.  Your vet would have to have done a post mortem to find the exact cause of death.

[buddylover]

I am so sorry to hear about your Buddy- Please know that I totally understand and feel your pain and all of your second guessing about what you may or may not have done to cause or prevent this.  Yesterday our Buddy (5 years old) died suddenly.  I am still in shock-he was such a part of our family.  I don't feel as if I will ever be the same.  Please email me privately if you want-  ***@****

[hobe]

sorry about you dog my rabbit just died on thursday so i know how much it hurts pleases take care

hobe

[buddy710]

Thanks for everyones comments.  It's hard when you don't have any answers.  I think about him every minute.  I now wonder if there is something in my house or environment that caused his death.  Given I have children, I can't help but worry.  The vet says it to late to do a post mortem.
I guess I will never know what happened to my poor Buddy....

[suzi-q]

I am sorry to hear this story...It is such a great loss when our dear friends leave us.  I recently lost my dog and I know how real the grief and mourning is.  May you soon find peace in the memories of you pal.  Peace.

[erieshark]

Very sorry to hear that. Maybe he had a stroke or heart attack, it can happen. I lost my Westie like that when he was only 8 years old.

The Vet maybe only asking questions to determine cause but he should have told you it could have very well been due to natural causes.