My Bulldog died suddenly. Was fine and then within a minute, dead.

[adam2101]

Of course, a million things run through your mind when something like this happens.  For me, it helps to understand what may have happened.  I hope someone has the answers but, understand that they can only be speculation.  

My 6 year old Bulldog Francis, was in excellent condition.  I've always feared him growing over weight as bulldogs often do so, kept him on a very healthy diet.  He has always been in the best health.  He was not subjected to any trauma that I'm aware of.  

After a night of sleeping he was laying on the floor near the couch doing more of what bulldogs do, sleeping, when he got up took a few steps lost his balance and fell.  He appeared to still be groggy from waking up.  He then peed on the floor (which he never did).  This was certainly a loss of function.  My girlfriend then ran to see that he was having some labored breething and fading fast.  She held him did a few finger sweeps thinking maybe he had something lodged in his throat.  His tongue turn VERY PALE and WHITE.  He kept looking at her like he was scared and kept fading out then would come to for a second then fade out again.  He then defficated and took his last breath, or vice versa.  

Of course my girlfriend did everything she could think of at that point including CPR and RB.  His tongue then turned very blue.  The tongue streched far out hanging to the floor was the only indication (or biggest noticeable indication) that he was no longer with us.

I know bulldogs often die young but, he really was in great shape and well taken care of.  He gave no prior signs of anything wrong.  Very sudden and unexpected.

Current theories:  Heart Attack (didn't seem in pain)-----  Aneurysm (could this account for the white tounge?)-----  Pulmonary Embolism ( mayabe why he stood up and quickly lost his balance in a dizzy-like fashion)

Could any of these be correct and why?  Is there another theory that fits better?

Please Help me find the answers.  Thank you so very much!

[BullyMom2]

My 7.5 year old bulldog just died suddenly as well. He was fed very good food, got a lot of exercise and had recently visited the vet ..
he collapsed suddenly while walking and playing at the dog park.  The vet suggested an embolism or heart attack...he had no heart murmur and nothing had indicated there was an issue.  Even an autopsy will not be helpful...this is heartbreaking but I understand that Boxers, and Bulldogs and other larger breeds are known to have this happen..heartbreaking.

[RoxyPullerMom]

Hello there,
    My bulldog passed almost 2 months ago now. She was going to be 6 at the end of this month. She died suddenly as well. The week before she passed she seemed to have a very bad ear infection. She spent a night at the vet because she would let out a loud cry that I had never heard before. I spent many nights at the vet that week just trying to find out what was wrong. She seemed to get better once given antibiotics, however they night before she passed was very rough. That morning I asked my mom and dad to come by and get her because I didn't want her to be alone. Much of what you said happened to your bully happened to mine before she passed from the description my parents gave me.
     Ultimately, I wanted to ask if the doctors found anything after doing the examination to your bully? Please let me know. Thank you.

[jettavr6]

Our family bulldog was 7.5 years old and died suddenly yesterday.  Up until the point at which he died, he was in great shape and good health.  We were all in the living room with him, when he stood up and then just keeled over.  My wife and I immediately started CPR, but to no avail.  He didn't lose bowel or bladder control.  We rushed him to the Vet, but by the time he was in the car, we knew that he was already gone.  Thinking back, I can think of two times where he had a similar episode of passing out, but both times he lost bladder control, and quickly woke up - these episodes happened more than 2 years ago.  We elected not to do a necropsy, as my wife reasoned that it wasn't going to change the situation.  The voice of reason in me agrees with my wife, the crazy side of me (I'm a physician myself), wants to know the answer if there is one.  My working theory is that the problem is cardiogenic/vascular.  My dog either had a heart attack, or threw a clot.  Either way, I'm sad to have lost my buddy.  

[Dalanah]

We lost ours suddenly too.  I am just so full of guilt bc it happened at night while we slept.  I found him by his water bowl, stretched out on his side like he was sleeping.   When I cradled his head water fell from his mouth and when I looked at the other side if his mouth I noticed a small amount of blood, like he may have bit his dog.  It's not knowing that is eating at me.  He had just checked out as healthy 3 weeks ago.  We are having him cremated but I may ask for the autopsy.  It has been devastating.   He was a member if the family and we all loved him.

[ThomasCBury]

We just lost our Bulldog, Roxie,  a few days ago.  She was only 3 1/2  years old.  She was playing with our daughter and her friends who were over for a bonfire.  She got worked up and was breathing hard even after the horsing around had stopped.  We've seen this behavior before in our Bulldogs after rough housing so we ended up going  to bed and found her dead on the floor early in the morning.  She seemed tensed up, as her front legs were stretched out as if she was standing up.  We also have her sister who must have witnessed this event and has been traumatized by it (She seems to be quite sad).  They were inseparable since birth.  We assume she must have had a heart attack, but we didn't have a necropsy done on her. The Vet said that they don't often find the cause of death and it wouldn't change the outcome either way.   But we are definitely left feeling "What if" we had just taken it more seriously and taken her to the vet that night....Roxie we miss you so much!!!

[monty6]

Our bulldog Monty 6 years old has just passed away suddenly he was as fit as anything not over weight nothing he was just playing in the front garden with our twin girls age 14 when he just collapsed the way your dog was found was the way he looked when i ran out to him it was seconds that i got to him and he had already gone i done everything i could but i could see he had already gone my vet also said the same maybe it was a heart attack they just dont know .... i hope you find comfort that even if you would have been there you can not save them our monty loved going out loved his walks but he was taken so quick it was 5 days ago we lost him we are so so devasted we are waiting to have him back he is getting cremated we love and miss him so much Bev xxx  

[Robbie20]

Our beautiful boy Dozer died suddenly last night aged 6. Im looking here for answers. He was happy healthy and had recently had his annual check and immunizations. He went out to be fed, ate his dinnerr and then part of his sisters. He then layed down and wet himself. My husband alterted me and we raced him to the vet. We was dead when we got there despite my husband trying cpr on the run. The vet had no answers and said this was uncommon but this forum seems to tell me differently. Robyn

[SophieIsMyBabe1]

I just lost my heart yesterday! Her name is Sophie and she was 9,  She was absolutely fine all day with no health issues.  My baby would whine softly when she needed water or a trip outside.  Last night she whined softly, so I jumped up to check her water bowl, it was fine. She whined again so I picked her and asked her what wrong.  The next whine sounded like a child's soft whine.  This was a new sound, so I grabbed my phone, started recording so I could send it my husband and get his opinion.  The third whine, she stopped breathing.  I just cannot believe she isn't here.  My life evolved around keeping her safe.  She is my second frenchie, the first I had rescued  a puppy mill she was an end of life rescue.  Thank you for reading.