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!

[KimHal]

We suddenly and unexpectedly lost our 6-year old bulldog, Leo, a few days ago, and I was looking for answers too. But many of the stories here are very similar, which in and of itself is some consolation for our breaking hearts, so I first want to thank everyone for posting their stories!! My thoughts and prayers are with you all as bulldogs are such sweet dogs and amazing family pets - it is very hard to lose them! Leo was healthy, walked almost daily and more active (running around chasing the kids, playing fetch, etc.) than his brother, Doug,  (who we still have thankfully) and our first bulldog, Mary, who lived until 13, which I think is almost unheard of!  He had regular shots and checkups and vets never found any issues with his heart - not a irregular heartbeat or anything. He did have chronic ear infections to the point where we had antibiotics stocked all the time, and he had much worse breath than his brother even though we did brush their teeth and tried the anti-plaque chews, etc.. He had 2 short seizures within the last year where he stopped on a walk, laid down and urinated, but within a few minutes was up and walking again and fine. He had not had any seizures for nearly 5 months and those were the first he ever had. He was active and fine as normal, then threw up twice one day. By the afternoon that same day his heart was racing and he looked very lethargic and his face very sad (more than his normal look). Dogs throw up all the time, so we thought we'd keep a close eye and then in the morning take him in if he was still bad, but he laid down after dinner in his favorite napping place and just stopped breathing. He coughed a couple of times but I thought he was just fighting off throwing up again... but I think now those may have been his last breaths. :(  The 2nd time he threw up it was a very weird sounding cough - almost human. He passed away about 1.5 hours later -- just went to lay in his normal after dinner napping spot and  he stopped breathing. We tried CPR for over an hour but he was gone. With the 2 seizures and his racing heart, the other chronic symptoms, we think it must have been heart failure and/or an embolism or a heart attack. He probably had an underlying heart condition that the vets just never detected. So probably just genetics, and a weak heart. It all happened very fast and our family is devastated, but we are very thankful he was home with us, in his favorite cozy place and really didn't suffer. Running him back and forth to vets is understandable, and had he shown any signs of life during CPR we would have done the same. I kept wondering if I had done something sooner if we could have kept him alive, but I think now that I'm reading all of these stories it seemed inevitable, and again, we're just thankful he was at home with us and it was quick. Shocking and terrible for our family to go through, but fast, again, that is more of a blessing. We will grieve for him for a long time, and are loving on his brother who is very lost now without him. I'm sure time will heal our wounds and soon we'll create some memorial items for our family too. My thoughts and prayers to everyone.  I hope my story helps relieve some pain and questions for someone else like the other stories here did for me. <3LoveOurBullies!<3

[Miles5]

My baby boy buster died at the age of four suddenly and unexpectedly he was fine running around and playing the day prior my heart just breaks

[Fpace]

I understand your pain. My bulldog, Dexter, just passed away two days ago. He had a heart condition and was on several medications. However, the cardiologist said he was doing much better and you can tell because he had his old trot back and appetite.

But after a great day with my boy, I woke up the following day to see him sleeping but realized he had passed away in that position. My only hope is that he died quickly and without any pain because he looked very peaceful, like he had always looked when he was sleeping.  

I am grateful that he died at home and that I had a great last day with him. I got to tell him I loved him and we had a bonding moment together on the couch hugging and kissing each other. I went to bed after that and he died a few hours later while I was asleep.

We can only assume that when a bulldog diss a sudden death - there's a very good chance it was heart related since that is the leading cause of death for Bulldogs. I know that's most likely the case for my boy since he had a heart condition already, I just wish I had a little more time with him.

Bulldogs are a special breed full of character - almost humanlike - and although they don't live the longest lives I am grateful that I got to spend eight years with my best friend. He will be missed.

[Dalanah]

I am so sorry for your loss and sadly I understand your pain.  My boy was Booger Bear and I found him like that 2 days ago.  Shock and devastation for the entire family.  He was 8 1/2.  I had hoped we would have him a while longer as I know Bulldogs don't live long.  It just feels like my heart has been ripped out bc he was such a big part of our family.  Did not see it coming.   The comfort is knowing it was quick and hopefully little or no pain.  Bulldogs are truly very humanlike.  He truly was a character and that gives sweet memories..  He will be missed so very much.  I truly have a physical ache inside my body, I loved him so much.  

[kelly2668]

I just lost my bulldog Moe today he was almost 10yrs old with no health problems. He was fine all morning, doing what he does every morning. Around 12:30, I notice he was laying down and he just pooped, then his tongue got real light, he started panting and then went limp. I picked him up and put him in the tub, thinking he was over heated, was putting cold water on him, but he wasn't responding. His eyes were just not there and took a few shallow breaths and was gone in about 10 minutes.

[pinkmm3]

That sounds like my bulldog.  She was almost 10 and she passed away 9 days ago.  I am very sorry for your loss. My Tilly woke up, ate breakfast and went potty.  She was fine all day until around 2:00 and then it was just like yours.  It's heartbreaking!

[Dalanah]

I am so sorry and I do understand.  This forum has been a comfort for me.  My sweet boy was 8 1/2, which I guess is pretty good for Bulldogs.  He looked healthy, acted normal.  Did not see his quick and sudden death coming at all.

[kelly2668]

Thank you, sorry for your lost also.

[Daisy_aem]

Just lost my 12 year old Daisy.  I've been trying to piece everything together to see if it was something I did or missed.  She was fine in the morning, afternoon, and evening, routine as usual.  She had no health problems other than being selectively deaf and blind.  I gave her a bath and then took her outside to relax and dry off completely.  She had all her normal behavior about her, but then I noticed that her jowls were turning white, her tongue was pale.  Her breathing was off.  I thought that maybe she was overheating, so I put the fan on her.  She seemed to enjoy that and I continued to watch her.  She could stay still, up, lay down, up lay down.  Until she coughed some blood and then couldn't breath anymore.  I tried swiping the mouth and throat, CPR, everything.  Nothing.  This all happened so fast, 5-10 minutes.  She was gone.  She is gone.  Not forgotten.  I know this isn't an answer to the original post, and I still not sure what the cause is, but am better now for reading similar posts.  I just hope that my 8 year old bulldog Dexter lives for another 20.