Dog's sudden death

[Anonymous]

Trying to make sense of my Westie's sudden death. She was 11, in generally good health although had been having some stiffness in back legs for the past year or so and some days would seem extra tired and lay around. We just thought it was age. She was also being treated for recurring UTIs. In fact, we'd just had her to the vet on a Friday for a UTI, she seemed to perk up that day, but then stopped eating on Saturday, but was drinking a bit. Very lethargic that day, but then on Sunday night jumped up and ran around the house at high speed. Very unusual. Woke up next morning and she had soiled her bed and couldn't seem to use her back legs at all, so we started to get ready to go to emergency vet.. then she had a pretty bad seizure and died by the time we reached the vet's office. Vet was flabbergasted, says maybe an undiagnosed brain tumor. No one can really give us answers. Just really shocking and sad. Anyone else had something similar happen?

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry this happened.
If you really want an answer, you have to get an autopsy, OP. This is what is done for humans who die unexpectedly from causes that are difficult to pinpoint.

[Anonymous]

I'm really sorry OP. Years ago my healthy 10 year old shepherd went suddenly -- she was fine in the morning when I left the house, and by the time another family member saw her mid-morning the dog was dead. We chose not to do an autopsy (which is called a necropsy in animals).

Although it's shocking and the "why" can haunt you, I have come to be grateful we didn't have to put the dog down. I now have an 11 year old dog who is fading but not specifically ill, and I find myself hoping she goes on her own rather than us having to choose when to put her down.

Hugs to you as you mourn your pet.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like she had a stroke, OP. I'm so sorry.

[Anonymous]

When something similar happened to my dog (no seizure though) it was because a tumor on her spleen, which we didn’t even know she had, ruptured. I’m so sorry this happened. It was very traumatic for us as well.

[Anonymous]

My family lost our wheaten terrier, who was also 11, about 6 months ago. My mom is convinced she ate something poisonous. It was very shocking, she died at home in the middle of the night suddenly, couldn't even try and get her to the vet.

It was pretty traumatic for the family, she was an otherwise healthy dog. We are all still a bit heart broken. I am sorry for your loss OP, you'll never know what it was, hopefully you all can find some peace with it. We try and see that she didn't suffer long, we didn't have to agonize about euthanizing, but still, it is so hard!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm sorry this happened.
If you really want an answer, you have to get an autopsy, OP. This is what is done for humans who die unexpectedly from causes that are difficult to pinpoint.

Poster with a similar story, my family was offered this option but they were pretty upfront on the odds of actually discovering the cause (not great, and they obviously aren't free to preform!) so we opted to let it go.

[Anonymous]

Has anyone sprayed pesticides or herbicides on your property recently?

[Anonymous]

I am so very sorry, OP. It does sound like a stroke or similar.

Westies are wonderful dogs. Big hugs to you.

[Anonymous]

I'm so sorry for your very sad and sudden loss, Op.

[Anonymous]

Sorry OP.

It was quick, and while that makes it so shocking and tough to grapple with, at least it seems like she didn't suffer much. Not a terrible way to go IMO.

Don't do the autopsy.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, everyone. It's helpful just to know others have been through this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone sprayed pesticides or herbicides on your property recently?

THIS.

RoundUp is especially harmful and remains in the soil and grass for a long time.

[Anonymous]

Our family dog collapsed in the hallway suddenly. Took him to the vet and there was a mass that had grown quickly and ruptured and the damage was too much, there was nothing that we could do. The dog had been okay at the last checkup, no indication this would happen, although he was a larger breed and 13.

[Anonymous]

This happened to my dog at age 11. He developed rapid onset anemia (IMHA) following routine vaccinations and went from healthy to dead within three weeks. It was absolutely shocking and heart breaking. Time was the only thing that helped. I still miss him six years later, but have found comfort and joy in the pets I have now.