Guest lharb704 Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Hi, I am a new member here and might never have registered except for a heartbreaking loss last Thursday. Our 4 year old male (a blue brindle) collapsed and died completely without warning. We rushed him to the emergency vet but he was already gone and now me and my wife are trying to make sense of what happened. We'd adopted Troublefree about 10 months ago, he was an ex-racer seemingly in good healthy and had adapted well to 'retirement'. On Thursday, he'd gone out for a brief run as usual then come in to eat. Weather was pleasant about 60 degrees and this was about 8:00 PM. Everything was fine until about 9:00 when he began to spasm slightly as if he had the hiccups although he seemed to be breathing fine. 5 minutes later he was lifeless. My wife and I are devastated as Troublefree was a very sweet dog and although we only got to know him a short time he'd come to be a very important part of our family. The emergency vet had no clue as to what had happened and neither do we. The only thing we can speculate is that he'd had a heart attack. Heat stroke doesn't seem to be possible as the evening was cool and Troublefree had been fairly inactive beforehand. Has anyone heard of a sudden unexplained death like this or have any speculation at what might have happened? Any comments would definitely be appreciated. Lonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggiespet Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I have no experience with what you are describing. But I am so very sorry that Troublefree is gone. How devastating. I'm sure others with far more greyhound experience will chime in. Again - I'm so sorry. GodSpeed Troublefree. Quote http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g240/mtbucket/siggies/Everyday-2.jpgJane - forever servant to the whims and wishes of Maggie (L's Magnolia of JCKC) and Sam the mutt pup.[/b] She's classy, sassy and a bit smart assy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schultzlc Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I do not have any similar experiences or advice to offer, but I did want to offer my condolences on your loss. Run free Troublefree! I'm so sorry that you had to go through such an awful experience with your boy. Quote Laura, mom to Luna (Boc's Duchess) and Nova (Atascocita Venus).Forever in my heart, Phantom (Tequila Nights) and Zippy (Iruska Monte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brandimom Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I have no ideas or thoughts as to what happened but my heart goes out to both of you. So very sad especially when it is sudden and your grey was so young. I am sure there are some GT folks that will give you some information. Godspeed TroubleFree......your time with the family that loved you ended way too soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjpk Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I am so sorry for your sudden loss of your beloved grey. Welcome to the board and we are all a wonderful support group. I am sure someone on this board can try to explain the cause. Take care of yourselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misspiggy Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Yes, I had a 5 year old who was lying on the cement, in the shade and my husband gave him a pat and went to paint the garage. @) minutes later he stopped to pat Teddy again and he was dead. No sign of seizure, stroke so I did think it was his heart, either the electrical system or a clot in a major coronary artery So devastating and I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I had some friends whose little girl did the same thing. She walked outside to go potty and fell over and was gone. Her vet like yours speculated it was a heart attack. It doesn't happen that often and is devastating when it does. I'm so sorry for your loss. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sambuca Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 My friends dog passed away from a tumor popping in his heart. It was a sudden thing as they didn't know about the tumor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest madredhare Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Never heard of anything like that either. I am very sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I am so sorry for your loss...so sad it has to be your first post. I also knew a couple with a grey that was young and collapsed and died. Again, no idea why. How terribly sad. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerlinsMum Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Oh, how heartbreaking You must be absolutely devastated... I am so very, very sorry. :grouphug Quote Kerry with Lupin in beautiful coastal Maine. Missing Pippin, my best friend and sweet little heart-healer 2013-2023 Also missing the best wizard in the world, Merlin, and my sweet 80lb limpet, Sagan, every single day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwiggysMom Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I wish I had some insight for you. So young and such a short time with you. I am so very sorry for your loss. Quote Wendy with Twiggy, fosterless while Twiggy's fighting the good fight, and Donnie & Aiden the kitties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJNg Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 So sorry for your loss, Lonnie. Sudden, unexplained deaths are unusual, but do occasionally happen in dogs. As others have mentioned, sudden deaths are often due to cardiovascular issues. Some possibilities include a heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, ruptured aneurysm, or embolism. Quote Jennifer & Willow (Wilma Waggle), Wiki (Wiki Hard Ten), Carter (Let's Get It On), Ollie (whippet), Gracie (whippet x), & Terra (whippet) + Just Saying + Just Alice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest twogreytkids Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 A friend lost her 5 year old girl very suddenly, too. She was doing her zoomies around the yard, went to the back door and collapsed. She was gone. Her vet speculated that it was probably heart related. Marcy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lharb704 Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Thanks all for the kind comments and thoughts, we miss Troublefree and they help more than you know. My wife and I are long time dog owners, volunteers at two local rescues and all of our four-legged "kids" have been adopted rescue dogs. This was our first greyhound though and this kind of experience has never happened to us before. Some reading I did seemed to imply that *maybe* greyhounds where slightly more susceptible to heart trouble then other breeds but it's not very clear. Anyway, after some initial reluctance, we are going to eventually consider adopting another. They really are very sweet and gentle souls. -Lonnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrianRke Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Im so sorry for your loss. I had a 9 month old die suddenly several years ago. I had a necropsy done and was told it was a congenital heart defect. Im sure you are devistated as I was. Please consider adopting another greyhound when you are ready. They are amazing! Welcome to the forum, Im just sorry it was under such sad circumstances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MP_the4pack Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Oh Lonnie, I'm sorry to have to welcome you to our forum for such a tragedy. I lost a 5 yr old to liver disease. Not anything like what you went thru, but the loss of a young dog is just devastating no matter how you look at it. The only way to maybe get an answer is a necropsy. That may not answer what happened, but it's the best chance. especially if it was a heart defect. I'm glad though that you're considering giving it another try. The little girl (Onyx) I adopted right after I lost my 5 yr old Topaz, lived to be 15 1/2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest verthib Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 Perhaps it had something to do with him running and then eating right after. They should not have exercise right before or after eating. I am so sorry for your loss. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 (edited) So sorry for your loss, Lonnie. Sudden, unexplained deaths are unusual, but do occasionally happen in dogs. As others have mentioned, sudden deaths are often due to cardiovascular issues. Some possibilities include a heart attack, cardiac arrhythmia, ruptured aneurysm, or embolism. I lost my first greyhound suddenly like this. He was sleeping in the living room, made an odd sort of whining sound, and died. In my shock, I didn't think to have a necropsy done to determine the cause, but a veterinarian friend of mine said it was likely one of the above and nothing could have been done to prevent it. I'm so sorry for your sudden loss. I know all too well the shock and pain you're feeling. Edited November 22, 2011 by galgrey Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jbbuzby Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 What a terrible loss To second verthib, exercising and then immediately eating is never a good idea. To me, it actually sounds like it could have been bloat http://www.globalspan.net/bloat.htm , but I'd been shocked if the ER vet missed that, so perhaps it was the heart attack . Poor guy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galgrey Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 (edited) Oops. Double post. Edited November 22, 2011 by galgrey Quote Cynthia, & Cristiano, galgoAlways in my heart: Frostman Newdawn Frost, Keno Jet Action & Chloe (NGA racing name unknown), Irys (galgo), Hannah (weim), Cruz (galgo), & Carly CW Your Charming Princess http://www.greyhound-data.com/d?i=1018857 "It came to me that every time I lose a dog they take a piece of my heart with them. And every new dog who comes into my life, gifts me with a piece of their heart. If I live long enough, all the components of my heart will be dog, and I will become as generous and loving as they are." -- Unknown Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tydyelady Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I too am so sorry for your sudden loss. It does sound like it was something that could not have been prevented. This is just tragic, and my heart goes out to you. Quote Mom to Toley (Astascocita Toley) DOB 1/12/09, and Bridge Angel Opie (Wine Sips Away) 3/14/03-12/29/12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carronstar Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I am so very sorry. I lost my girl suddely, though not as suddenly as you, five years ago. I left home that morning with a happy, healthy greyhound. By that night she was gone. It is truly heartrending. As so many others will tell you, the best way to heal your heart is to bring another grey home and give all that love you have to another. You are not replacing Troublefree, just honoring him by sharing that love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DesiRayMom Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 I'm so sorry to welcome you to the forum under such unfortunate circumstances. I, too, would guess some undetected heart problem. Hoping your heart heals, and for a new grey to lighten your life. Quote Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted November 22, 2011 Share Posted November 22, 2011 So sorry for your sudden loss. We lost a young Doberman to some sort of sudden Cardiac distress a few years ago. Dobes are very prone to serious cardiac issues. However, Greyhounds are not 'known' to have heart issues. Our vet said that of all large breed dogs, Greyhounds are the healthiest...not much cardiac disease, no hip displasia/ Crutiate issues. Bloat of course is something to be on the lookout for, as with all deep chested dogs, but your dogs case does not 'scream' Bloat to me.... We had a Dobe with Bloat once, too. Hopefully, when you're ready for another canine companion, you will choose another Greyhound!! Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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