9 year old mix dog passed away suddenly..

[Sirenprime]

My dog, a 9 year old Border Collie/Aussie Shepard mix passed away suddenly today.
I was told she was outside all day and my family couldn't find her till I got home from work around 5:30.
When my grandma went upstairs I noticed she was not responding and breathing heavily, her tounge out.

It was white.

After petting her a bit, she responded and moved around a bit. Then it got bad... She was stumbling and got to the point she couldn't get up. She passed away after he breathing slowed. After she passed,her head jerked for a few minutes before stopping all together..

She was eating and drinking fine. As well as responding to her name and her surroundings.
The day before and before that, She was still up and about,barking and being nosey. She gave no signs of being sick or in pain.

Does anyone have any ideas what it could be of any suggestions on what my family could do?

We are at a loss,confused and devestated.

[ginger899]

It sounds to me, if her tongue was white, that she was having an internal bleed.
The one notorious thing which causes internal bleeding and sudden collapse (after a dog has seemed fine even hours before!) is Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen.
This is a cancer with a very poor prognosis, and more than likely already spread widely through the system by the time any symptoms are seen. There is no actual 'cure', and a dog can seem totally well while they have it -until a massive internal bleed suddenly happens -so do not blame yourselves AT ALL for not knowing. It's hard for vets to know a dog has this cancer.
For those reasons, hemangiosarcoma is known as "the silent killer".

But of course, there may have been other reasons for the sudden collapse and passing of your beloved dog. I can't say.

The only definitive way to be certain would be to order a 'necropsy' (a doggie autopsy) from the vet.
Your family may not wish to do that though. But it is a way to find closure by having questions answered.

I am very sorry for your loss. Bless your dog's Soul.

[chasha33]

First i want to say how very sorry I am for the loss of your fur baby!!
From the way your describing the breathing it sounds like 2 possible things to me An allergic reaction or a type of poisoning that would cause internal bleeding with no outward signs Sometimes  there are no outward symptoms of swelling with an allergic reaction from a bite or a sting. It can all be on the inside and it produces the symptoms you are describing. Or eating or drinking something toxic can cause inetrenal bleeding and would cause distress and the tongue to turn white.Had she been outside all day? .Really the only way you will know for sure is by an exam or an necropsy
Again I am truly sorry for your loss My thought and prayers fo out to you