Sudden Death of "Healthy" Dog...

[greg30127]

This is similar to other posts but slightly detailed so I'll post it:  Two weeks ago the day after Xmas, I came home and my 12yo Shepherd/mix was fine.  She was at least outwardly, a perfectly healthy and energetic dog for her age, and passed her yearly exam only two months earlier.

She went out and used the bathroom normally and came to the back door acting normally.  Then, I saw her lay upright on the ground and start a very very slow, deep, breathing.  She was not choking.  She would not drink water or look directly at me.  She then tried to stand and wobbled up, very unsteady, took a few steps, and her bowels emptied a large amount of stool (not watery, normal), onto the ground.  She walked a few feet more, laid down, rolled over, and breathed the deep, slow, heavy breathing for 3-4 minutes, and then, she died.  She did not seem to be in any apparent pain or panic/distress during the entire thing.  Once she passed, she was just staring forward, and her tongue was "twisted" slightly and hanging out.

We're devastated, as this was completely unexpected and sudden.  Now, on one board I saw one vet say that other vets that say it's a heart attack are "lazy", and that nothing can be even remotely concluded unless a necropsy is done - and even then maybe nothing will be known.   I find it hard to believe with decades of modern veterinary medicine behind us now, that there are no semi-conclusive answers out there since this is happening to quite a few people (?).   I realize without a necropsy there's no way to know 100%, but with the description I gave is it "reasonably safe" to assume this was some sort of sudden and powerful cardiac event, or, does it sound more like a stroke?    Thank you

[tonyb286]

Hello. I am so sorry for your loss. When things happen so quickly, there's no time to prepare and the grief comes like a rollercoaster. I have lost a dog that way too, some years ago. It's a horrible thing. But, in some ways, it's a nicer way for them to go ... sudden death means no lingering illness or pain for them and although we are left in complete shock and are grief-stricken, their passing was swift. I hope ver the coming days and weeks, your pain eases, and you can come to a place where you can remember him during happier times.

You are in my thoughts.

Tony

[Joey2016]

My dog died in this way tonight. I am totally grief stricken. There was NO warning. I woke to him in a kind of seizure followed by several more. I knew in moments that he was dying. I held him and watched him go. It all happened so fast and I felt completely helpless. I took him to the Vet ER and while his eyes were glassy and wouldn't close, his body seemed to still be moving (I gather now that was simply the body dying). They confirmed his death, and I left him there after holding him and saying good bye. I have been up all night in complete shock. There were NO signs. All was sweet and well when we went to bed. I have found comfort here in reading your post. Thank you.

[princesfamily]

Thankyou for the Costa Rican saying. We had 10 great years with Prince, our Lab/Kelpie cross but 4 days ago after a normal day he lay down in the garden bed in the morning sun and went to sleep. 30 minutes later he didn't answer our daughter's call. The shock reverberated throughout our family and it is some cold comfort to know this sudden death of our fur babies is not all that uncommon.  We are thankful he didn't have to suffer the pain and indignity of old age with its associated infirmities and passed away in his sleep in the sun. Would that we could all have such a peaceful end.

[princesfamily]

Thankyou for the Costa Rican saying. We had 10 great years with Prince, our Lab/Kelpie cross but 4 days ago after a normal day he lay down in the garden bed in the morning sun and went to sleep. 30 minutes later he didn't answer our daughter's call. The shock reverberated throughout our family and it is some cold comfort to know this sudden death of our fur babies is not all that uncommon.  We are thankful he didn't have to suffer the pain and indignity of old age with its associated infirmities and passed away in his sleep in the sun. Would that we could all have such a peaceful end.

[ChrissyGray]

I am so sorry to read this post however I do understand your pain. You gave her a good safe happy and healthy life.

[Suez453]

I am struggling with the same exact issue and am desperate to know how I can find out if my dog, Buddy a black lab that meant more than words could ever say. I have had problems with a particular individual my son was involved with and a result I have had property damage caused by her. I found a strange looking like a miniture 'dog treat' in my yard and I want it looked at, but not sure where to go to have it checked. It's been 3 months since he passed and I'm not sure if the vet saves blood samples that long. My husband does not want me think that he may be poisoned, but she has done some very evil things. I know I am heart broken terribly by Buddy's loos, but I can't get it off my mind. Would anyone know where I can go to have this 'treat' I found in the yard looked at. Thank you

[InuyashaPR]

I can only guess but maybe where they do autopsy for animals??? At least ask, it's a start.