Why did our dog die suddenly?

[murphy7312]

I've been reading these discussions and gotten some comfort.  Our 7 yr old golden retriever just died suddenly, and it's driving us crazy, so I have to ask the same question.
  
Copper is a big (95lb) golden retriever, healthy except for a small tumor removed a year ago.  He got his routine vets checkup June 15, and had a clean bill of health (including palpating the abdomen, where the tumor was).  

4 days ago, we noticed in the morning he had not eaten his dinner.  He showed no other signs of discomfort, no vomiting etc., so we watched, but thought it might just be loss of appetite from the heat (It has been very hot here, and he seemed to be avoiding the outside).  So we let him rest, gave him lots of cold water, which he drank well.  I hosed him off that evening outside and noticed he did not shake the water off, something he usually does enthusiastically.  That evening, he sort of declined to go on a walk with our son, so he tried again in the morning when it was cooler, but the dog did not want to go then either.  I took him for a walk in the afternoon, hoping he was feeling better (this is the 2nd day since he didn't eat dinner), and he went very slowly around the block, but peed and had a bowel movement.  That night he started labored breathing, we took him to the ER, and he died in our arms.

We are all devastated, and were so shocked we buried him the next day and did not think to bring him to the vet for a necropsy.  So it's driving us crazy.  Can anybody put 2 and 2 together on this?  I thought it might be GDV (twisting of the gastric tract), but he was missing one symptom, bloated stomach.  But in retrospect, the failure to shake his fur coat after getting wet might have been significant.  Help us understand if you can.

[dominosarah]

I am so sorry about the loss of your beloved pet~~~~sara

[seeana]

I am so very sorry for your loss..... my Golden ,Shane is 8yr... a big lovable lump of love ! I understand how you feel.
I suppose it will be only guess work as to why he died ! it does sound a bit like GDV.
the calm before the storm. Anyway just to say how sorry I am for your loss.

[jakie14]

it could be heat stroke, or anti freeze or some other poisoning, but i'm just guessing. ask a vet anyway.

[ginger899]

This is so devastating, you're right. I am so sorry. I wish I could give you answers, but have no idea what might have been the cause of his death.
The only thing I can think of is that although the health checks the vet does seem good (they listen to heart, breathing, palpate the abdomen, look at eyes and teeth....etc) -they don't usually as a matter of course, run a full blood scan with the annual health check.
Sometimes only a blood scan could pick up signs that all is not well. And dogs being so naturally stoic, seem to be able to ride out all but the worst. It is just possible he had something hidden going on that only deeper, further testing could have revealed.

I am so sorry for your loss.

[murphy7312]

Thanks, we're working through it.  One thing I've learned from this forum, and the unconditional support members give every grieving person, is how insensitive I've been in the past to adult's relations to their cats and dogs.  It didn't hit as hard when I was younger, but as an adult, it's like the only pure thing you have.  So anyway, we are trying to absolve ourselves of guilt (we did take care of him), and trying to remember how every synapse in his body went on 100% alert when we threw something in the woods, how he stationed himself in the window to guard the house every night, how happy he was to play with the boys, laying his head on my wife's lap in the mornings while she had coffee.  
I'm sure you all are just ticking off the stages of grief as you observe, thanks.
JM

[ginger899]

All those memories are so precious but very bitter-sweet. It was the best thing that you knew him, and were given the privilege to share time on this Earth with him. It was the worst thing that he had to go -and so suddenly, and so mysteriously.
I know. Dogs give you what must be the best love in the world! I think so anyway, but I'm biased.
I don't know about all those "stages of grief" I can't pin it down and label it like that. It's always just like a tsunami when it comes for me....all I can do is ride it, survive it, and see what happens next day....

Treasure your memories. One day in the future you may take on another companion. But those memories will always be precious.

[Magnoliaz]

I am so sorry for your loss.... I lost my 4 1/2 yr old Peek a little over 4 yrs ago to renal failure. We spent 2 years and several thousand dollars trying to find what was making her have intermittent bouts of illness. We did everything we could, I would have given her my own kidney (if I had a good one to give her) but the fact is we didn't find out until the day she died, that it was Renal Failure :(
I hope that your pain eases as the days go by and that the wonderful memories you shared with you 4 legged will last a lifetime.
I for one would like to "thank you" for taking such good care of your dog. There are SO many people that don't give any consideration to their pets needs and health.
Dawn

[justy748]

Hi there,
I have goosebumps after reading your post.My 14 year old German Shepherd/Blue Heeler cross died last year in the same circumstances exactly as your dog.He had no previous symptoms and then one morning he refused to eat.I took him to the vet straight away that morning and he also had heart arrythmias.They did an ultrasound and told me that it may be what is called a hemangiosarcoma,or possibly a gastric ulcer.He had plae gums and black stools.They sent me home with Jasper and gave me some medication to treat an ulcer.That night he vomited blood and started very laboured breathing.Within an hour he died.I am still devastated,and like you was so upset at the time that I did not have an autopsy done.The vet could not tell me at the time what killed Jasper,but he suspected it was a hemangiosarcoma.I would like to chat more to you about this.I am so sorry,I know exactly what you are going through.My 10 year old Golden retriever died from a hip tumour only 3 months before Jasper.The whole period was the worst in my life.I now have another beautiful Golden and although he could never replace my beautiful Jasper and Brinkley,he has helped with my grief.My best wishes go out to you and your family.Justine Watson,Australia.

[cyberjunk]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemorrhagic_gastroenteritis
HGE killed my dog.
My dog died in three hours.  A dachshund/beagle mix named Ginger.
She threw up 1AM then began urinating and defecating diarrhea with dark blood. While I was trying to locate a 24 hour vet in this back water (Bluffton, SC) she then begun to hemorrhage bright red blood and passed away on the way to the VET.
Note: She had a bit of diarrhea earlier in day but no sign of blood – I know as I used white paper towels to pick it up – no blood.  
I am writing to warn all pet owners of this disease HGE.  Learn about it.

[Amburgerz]

I find strange comfort in knowing that we are not the only ones who have experienced this tragic event.  Our 5 1/2 year old chocolate lab died suddenly the day after christmas this year.  We noticed that he just wasn't acting right and so we ended up taking him to the emergency animal clinic in the morning.  They told us that he might have a cold or stomach bug and treated him symptomatically with fluids and medicine.  We brought him home shortly after only for him to be howling and moaning constantly and not wanting to move.  We brought him back a second time to the same clinic only 6 hours later, in which we received a second diagnosis of vertebral disc compression, they gave him muscle relaxant and pain medicine and told us we could leave him there for observation or take him home.  I didnt feel comfortable leaving him in a place I wasn't familiar with, so we brought him home.  His breathing became labored and slow and on our way to the vet for the third time, he died in my arms in the back seat of our truck.  We opted out of the necropsy.  I couldn't handle knowing if he died from something that could have been prevented if only the vets had diagnosed him correctly the first two times we had brought him in.  I know their jobs are difficult and animals are very difficult to diagnose, but it pains me knowing we were at the clinic for a good portion of the day and he still passed away.  I don't believe he had any vertebral disc compressions, the vet told us the xray machine they had most likely would not show the compression, only MRI, which they did not have.  I'm wondering if he got in to something or if he was bitten and had an allergic reaction?  I don't know, he didn't have any vomiting or diarrhea, he was just very lethargic and then started having neuro symptoms.  Its just so devastating to lose such a young dog that was so dear to our hearts.  If love were enough he would have lived forever.

[romi123]

Our golden retriever died suddenly at age 10 on 12/28.  She was recently diagnosed with Valley Fever (we live in AZ) and started on antibiotics 2 weeks prior to her death.  She also might have had osteosarcoma (bone cancer) as the xray of her paw (recent limping) indicated something eating away at the bone, and the only causes of that were bone cancer and/or Valley Fever.  We were happy that she tested positive for Valley Fever since that is treatable with meds.  However, I was playing with her and then had her lay down so I could return to work.  30 minutes later I noticed she was lifeless and determined she was dead.  I, too, was shocked and can only conclude she did have the bone cancer as well that must have spread and possibly she had an emboli.  We lost our German Shepherd a month prior from complications of a seizure disorder and had to put her to sleep when she had a seizure that the ER vet could not stop.  At least we understood what happened with her.  With our Golden, it was so sudden and I understand your pain.  The loss of our two is heartbreaking to say the least.  Some things can't be explained - please go to Rainbow Bridge site for comfort.  

[shawn599]

First I want to say I am so sorry for your families loss.  I am going thru the same thing right now. I had my Kodie a beautiful healthy golden for 11 years and 2 months. He had his regular checkups and always got a clean bill of health.  He passed away on the bathroom floor alone.  It is killing me that I wasnt' there for him. He was his normal self that day. Eating going to the bathroom and playing, no signs of not feeling well. I know he didn't get into anything but I just don't know what happened. The vet said heart or cancer. We may never know what happened my prayer is that he went peacfully without pain. He was a happy loving polite and kind dog. Right now I am consumed with such grief and pain that all I do is cry. I know in time when I think about my Kodie I will smile in my heart of the beautiful life I had with him. I lost my father 2 years ago suddenly from an enlarge health, he also was in perfect health. My poppy was an angel here on this earth. He never showed anger. Never. Stupid things like someone would cut us off on the road and my mom would be saying a few choice words and my poppy would say "well they may just have an emergency". Never had he an unkind word for anything or anyone. I never even heard him say the word damn. My poppy had a golden and the day my poppy died Bailey never left his side it's like he knew.  My Poppy died on his bedroom floor and til this day this is where Bailey his dog sleeps. I miss them and life here will never be the same without them. GOD bless you all and may the memories of your loved ones  that pain you after there loss one day warm your heart and make it smile the way your golden smiled at you everyday.

[kwilki303]

Thanks for this post, it's really shed some light on our Lab's sudden death today.  She was only 3 years and 10 months old.  She went into heat last month and the neighbors dog jumped the fence when we let her out to use the bathroom (and you can figure out the outcome of that encounter).  Anyway, a few days ago she stopped eating and would only take water and her belly ballooned out.  We just figured she was pregnant since calculating when the dog jumped the fence to now was about 4 weeks and everything I read said that at about this time during a pregnancy the dog's belly will swell and they will lose their appetite but that there is no need to take them to the vet as this is normal.  After reading your article I am now suspecting she had GDV which I had never heard of (but wish I had so we would have known how serious her condition was).  My husband is on his way to the vet right now with her so hopefully we will know what happened.  Like your family, we are DEVASTATED!!!  We have 3 young children and another Lab and she was loved by each and everyone of us.  I never understood how people could be so upset over losing a pet until today.  I hope the tears stop flowing soon.

[Mateo14]

I am sorry to hear everyones losses and find a sense of calm in reading these feeling that I am not the only one out here who loved my dog tremendously. Thie past saturday i went to take a shower and my Pit Mateo was lying on his side convulsing as if he were gasping for air, he has orage pee around him and vomit out of his mouth on the floor. At first I thought he may be choking on his own vomit so I picked him up to clear it out. Not to many seconds after that he passed in my arms with my wifes hands layed on him as if to say its ok. He was the best friend I could have ever had and dont think I have cried more in my life as I have these past 3 days. I just dont know what to think but know i didnt want to do any tests just because i couldnt bare to think it was becaise of something i could ave prevented. He was so energetic and loving he was a huge lap dog and allowed my 2 year old to lay all over him any way he wanted. Its hard to let go to something that has been my first child for almost 9 years now but I know he will be waiting on me in Heaven when I get there. The things you all are talking about sound sort of what happend to my Mateo but only God knows. May he rest in peace knowing he will dearly be missed and loved for all the good times and playful memories we had. My life is truly better because of his presence. We love you bud see you in time......Love, Your Family....

[Misfits4Me]

Mateo's Dad,
I'm terribly sorry for your heartache.....I know it's awful and you feel as if your heart will explode.....I always wonder where all the tears come from....Each time, I thought I could cry no more, then it would all start again...I understand what your saying.....

Try to remember the good times during those wonderful 9 years.....Try not to remember the end (Although I know it's almost impossible!).

You sound like a wonderful Pet parent and he was fortunate to have such a caring home.....Many never get that opportunity, I'm sorry to say....

Take care of yourself and grieve all you want....It's part of the healing process!

Come back here and let us know how your doing.....My thoughts are with you..... Karla

Run Free Mateo~~~~You were much Loved~~~~~One of the lucky ones.......

[Mateo14]

Thank you Karla thank you so much..It has been a rough few days but gradually I am doing better and come to realize he blessed me for a reason and am staying on the path remembering all the wonderful memories we had in the presence of each other. He was a wonderful friend and I will never forget what he was to me and my family, never to forget but hold on to the love we all shared...Thanks again

[yellowzuzu]

OMG- I can't believe what I am reading.  We just lost our 3 YEAR OLD yellow lab in the same way!  We were away for Thanksgiving and when we got home, our dog was obviously in terrible pain and couldn't move. She had trouble moving her neck, it seemed as well.  I rushed her to emergency where she spent 2 days and took her home for 2 more.  There was no change in her health during that time and she was taking 4 different pain meds/muscle relaxers. FInally was told to get an MRI since the xrays and blood tests showed nothing. I drove her an hour to the neurologist office and was told that they could do an MRI the next day...I made an appt for the next morning and took her home for the night.  After dinner that night, she started showing neuro problems and colapsed...slow breathing...etc. I rushed her to emergency- she was barely breathing and unresponsive.. they tried resuscitate and were unsuccessful.  We will never know what caused the death of our sweet 3 year old girl.  On paper, she was in perfect health.  So sad,  I am sorry for your loss and am sorry that neither of us will know what caused their untimely deaths.

[jasonefd19]

Our 5 year old Golden Mater suddenly passed on Dec. 30th.  He was a rather tall guy and very active.  My 10 year old son found him in the back yard passed away after hearing our Cocker Spanial barking non stop.  No obvious reason for this.  He did have a mild siezure condition, but there were no signs of this occuring.  His passing has put a big hole in the family and we can tell that our 2 other dogs are also troubled by this.  We have adopted a dog from a rescue recently and things are slowly getting back to normal.

[mainenana]

I am sooo sorry for your loss. I am dealing with the same thing right now. Our beloved 4 year old Yellow Lab Cassie was diagnosed with renal failure on January 12th and never responded to all the things we tried. Her last visit to the vet showed no improvement, she had lost 10 lbs in 2 weeks and her vitals were deteriorating. We made the decision to euthanize her. It had to be one of the worst things I ever did. No answers and lots of questions. I never heard of such a thing in dogs before and it helps a little to know we are not the only ones suffering such a loss. We will keep your in our prayers!

[Bailey17]

Sad to hear of your lose. My 5 1/2 year old chocolate lab passed away a week ago, she had a rash on her body with no symptoms( no itching or scanning) blood work was normal 2 wks prior. Then she stopped eating, vomited blood and black stool. Within 15 hours of being at the emergency, she was gone. Did u get your dog in NH? The doctors think what caused my dogs death could be genetic, she was healthy one minute and then she was gone

[tonyb286]

My condolences to everyone that has lost a 'best friend' recently. These stories are heartbreaking and remind me of my loss, my beautiful loopy lurcher BB, who passed away in November. I think the wisest words come from Ambergerz above, who says about the loss of their dog: 'If love were enough he would have lived forever.'

I think this is true for all on this forum ... it's a great saying and well worth repeating ... our dogs have been so very lucky, they have enjoyed love and affection and the utmost care and attention, and there are so many dogs out there that sadly go without these essential things. In return, we get their unconditional love and companionship and all the things that make dogs such wonderful creatures. No dog ever lives long enough - but my oh my, don't they know how to make the most of the short lives they have. A lesson for us all, I think. Tony

[mjacobs2]

We rescued a hurricane Katrina survivor from the pound five years ago.  She had been returned twice previously and was on "death row."  For awhile, I thought we would go nuts and needed a dog whisperer.  But despite her "crazy" antics, we never gave up on her.  She was the most beautiful golden retriever/lab mix and soooooo smart she was dangerous.  She was always happy, always playful, loyal, fun, so loving and sweet.  We walked her yesterday and played in the yard, all was perfectly normal...not one single indicator of ill health.  We put her in the back yard and found her laying dead there within two hours.  We are in shock and devistated, we all loved her but my 10 year old son loved her deeply.  How he wept last night.  I am so confused and sad, I don't know what to do.

[tonyb286]

I was very saddened to read the post about your dog. Unfortunately, you may never know what happened to her - or whether she had in fact been ill for some time, but without obvious signs and symptoms. The most likely cause is a heart attack, which would have been quick and could have occurred while she was asleep. My heart goes out to your son and of course to you. But, you did a fantastic thing by rescuing her and she was so very lucky to be a part of your family. Big hugs, Tony

[TwoBitsMom]

I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your dog.
I understand that you are concerned about your son, and are wondering what you can do to help him overcome his loss.
As a parent, I know how difficult it is for you to not only have to deal with the loss of your beloved dog, but even more so,to have to deal with the pain your son is experiencing. My heart aches for you both.

Perhaps you could encourage your son to find a way to honor his dog.
He could do this by writing a story or poem about her.  
Maybe he could volunteer some time to a local shelter, or collect some money or items to donate to the shelter.
Maybe he could walk a friend or neighbors or a shelter dog, that is not able to get out often. He can do these things in memory and in honor of his dog.
You could tell him that whenever he thinks he is ready to get another dog, that his dog would be happy if he could find it in his heart to rescue another dog and take as good care of it, as he did of her.
Tell him that his dog would be proud of him if he rescued another pound dog and gave it a good home with lots of love.Taking care of another pound dog, would be like taking care of one of her family, and that is something that would make her happy. She would also be happy, if she knew that another dog was looking out for you, keeping you happy and protecting the family.
Tell him that just because she is gone, it does not mean that he has to stop loving her.
Tell him it is Ok to cry and miss her, because You do too.
Tell him that all dogs go to heaven, because Heaven wouldn't be Heaven without her, would it.
It might help to get some Helium Balloons, and have your Son and yourself, write a message on the Balloons to send to your dog in Heaven.
You could also check with your local library, to see if they have any books that would help comfort your Son with his loss.

Please accept my heartfelt sympathy.
God Bless your Dogs Beautiful Spirit and Soul...she is much loved.
Connie

[Wolfred]

Your suggestions are wonderful. Except for the balloon thing. ballons that go must come down. They have been known to kill animals by ingesting them. We know better now. So we do better and do not send balloons up for any reason now. Maybe plant a tree instead?