Similar situation

[Nicholem316]

I'm sorry for your loss. It's hard to lose a family member. I had a golden retriever that was 8 years old and yesterday we found him dead in are bathroom. I don't know what happened. He didn't eat anything he wasn't suppose too, he was a happy, healthy,dog that was filled with life. He was very intelligent and playful and always knew how to make you smile. I  want to know how he passed away. I would of got a autopsy but it was too expensive and the pain of dealing with his loss is bad enough. I just want to know how this happened so suddenly. He was fine when we went to bed around 3'o clock in the morning and when we woke up, he was just lying there.

[Nicholem316]

I know. All I have are the goofy memories he's left with my family. Thanks for your help and condolences.

[shannon781]

Another possibility that is also common in middle aged large breed dogs like goldens is GDV (gastric dilitation +/- volvulus) or "bloat" where the stomach becomes filled with air for some reason and can twist on itself. It causes vomiting and eventually cuts off the blood supply to the stomach. It is an emergency that if not treated, can cause sudden death. Unfortunately, you know a necropsy is the only way to know for sure. I understand they are expensive. We can only guess unless there is something obvious. Don't beat yourself up about it. It was something that clearly came without warning and if you weren't home or it was overnight, there was nothing you could do for your baby. So sorry.

[Nicholem316]

I'm not sure. It seemed as if he threw up before he died, he threw up his food and then his body looked as if he collapsed. It's just so random; he hadn't seemed like anything was wrong.

[shannon781]

Did you notice any distension of the abdomen shortly before or after you found him? Goldens and labs are poster children for splenic masses like hemangiosarcoma that can rupture suddenly. I'm not saying this is what happened, but it is a cause for sudden death in these breeds.