My 8 year old german shepard died 3 days ago suddenly. He had a recent check up and all was ok. We went out in the backyard and he layed on his side and stopped breathing. He was died in about 30 seconds. He was my best friend. Has anyone heard of this?
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weenie
ANSWERS: 21
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I have not heard of such a thing, no. But I want to give you my regards about your dog passing away; it is a very rough experience to go through, and I hope that you will find a companion that meets or exceeds your previous friend :) Don't forget him
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my condolences about your dog .. I had a German Shepard for 6 years and I still miss him terribly. Best dog I ever had. I have never heard of this thing you mention happening to any dog let alone a Shepard. I'd bring him to a vet and check for cause of death if that's at all possible.
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I am so very sorry about your dog. Did you call the vet after he died? I have two German Shepherds, both 6 years old.
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no, maybe he got into something poisonous. god, i am so sorry. i know it doesnt make any difference right now, but you made your dogs life perfect for 8 years, and he loved you unconditionally for that. treasure that. when you can, make sure you adopt someone new. hugs to you.
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I'm so sorry. Do you have anything like scorpions or snakes in your area? Is there anything he might have eaten? It might have been something such as a stroke or aneurism that happens with humans, but you'd probably need an autopsy to be sure. Edited for spellcheck doing wonky things.
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I had a Miniature Pinscher do that once. She had just had puppies two weeks before and she just stopped breathing. Never got an answer why, but it happened. She was only a couple months short of 5 years old. Maybe it's just one of those rare things that has only happened a few times since the beginning of time.
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My 10 year old german shepard died sometime sunday morning early. He was playing and healthy saturday evening. I can't tell you how bad i feel. He's been my companion. I know just how you feel. Steve
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Don't know anything about it, but i'm so sorry about your dog. I also have a 12 yr old german shepard and he can barely walk anymore. Last night when he was walked, he had to be carried back as he couldnt even walk, he just fell. We've been giving him his meds but, he's getting old. I really don't want to put him to sleep.
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My friend once had one that was 10 years old. He came running up the alleayway between our two houses when he suddend stopped, fell forward, and died suddenly. It turned out he had had a massive heart attack. I remember him saying that Shepherds were pre-disposed to this, but can't remember why. I'm sorry for your loss.
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Very sorry to hear about your lost. I know the pain you are feeling. My cat 20 years was walking and fell over and died. I took him to the vets anyways. He said animals can have heart trouble like people. Yea I know the cat was old but he was in good health. I am so sorry for your lost.
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Oh - so very sorry. I wish I could tell you what happened. It is very human to want to know the whys of life and death. We have two 13 year olds {napping at my feet} and the day we have to say goodbye is dreaded. As to the question, pets and humans can both appear very healthy and leave us suddenly. I see several have made different suggestion as to a cause; I can't add to them - the list can be lenthly. Please recall the free exchange of love and laughs -- and don't beat yourself up over the what if, could of questions. Celebrate the joy you shared for 8 years. I grief with you and honor his life.
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This happened with my 8 year old husky a few days ago. Perfectly healthy then woke up one morning and she was gone. Looking for answers like yourself. Sorry for your loss it is heartbreaking to lose them so young.
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I've had two that have had strokes. They weren't that young, but they weren't that big either. Big dogs tend to be harder on their hearts than little dogs. Both just dropped in the middle of eating supper. They were still alive, but confused and unable to stand. We put them down a few hours later. One of my friends was telling me yesterday that her dog had a heart attack a few weeks ago. She took him with her on and errand. When she got home, he seemed to be asleep when she called him to get out of the car. He didn't wake up, as he was dead. Her vet said he'd had a heart attack.
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I googled "my German Shepherd died" and I came up with this web page. My ten year old German Shepherd, Kimba, died a month ago. I came home and she came up to me, put her head into my body and collapsed. I rushed her to the vet...it was a tumor on her heart. I feel for you, even though time has passed for you, I know that you feel the grief...I feel as if my heart has been ripped out. She was my north, my south, my east and west...the reason that I witnessed some beautiful sunsets when I would have stayed inside and the reason that I witnessed beautiful sunrises when I would of slept in. Being a native Californian, I do not like snow that much- but seeing her roll around and making me throw her snowballs changed my view of snow... She taught me once again how to play...even after a hard day at work... I have had moments when I have just screamed from the grief...but I remind myself that for 10 years that beautiful soul touched me and was mine- I was blessed.. How hard it is...
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I googled "my German Shepherd died" and I came up with this web page. My ten year old German Shepherd, Kimba, died a month ago. I came home and she came up to me, put her head into my body and collapsed. I rushed her to the vet...it was a tumor on her heart. I feel for you, even though time has passed for you, I know that you feel the grief...I feel as if my heart has been ripped out. She was my north, my south, my east and west...the reason that I witnessed some beautiful sunsets when I would have stayed inside and the reason that I witnessed beautiful sunrises when I would of slept in. Being a native Californian, I do not like snow that much- but seeing her roll around and making me throw her snowballs changed my view of snow... She taught me once again how to play...even after a hard day at work... I have had moments when I have just screamed from the grief...but I remind myself that for 10 years that beautiful soul touched me and was mine- I was blessed.. How hard it is...
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I have never heard of anything like that, I am so very very sorry for your loss :(
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Yes. I've had that happen too. I've owned a male German shepherd (lived to 8 years), as well as his son who was a beautiful white shepherd mix (lived to 11 years). I've also owned a Hungarian Komondor (who lived to 9 years). They all died exactly the way you described. The were running and bouncing around acting happy one minute, and one day simply layed down and died the next. I performed CPR on both of the shepherds, and in one case even used a taser to try to restart their hearts, but it didn't work. They both seemed in very good health right up until the moment they died. It's impossible to tell for sure without an autopsy, but in my opinion my dogs probably died from a condition known as canine myocardiopathy. In many large dogs like German shepherds, their heart muscles become thick and stiff as they get old, until the chambers inside the heart can no longer pump blood and the heart suddenly fails. I can assure you that your dog died from something that's very common, and there was no way your veterinarian could have been able to see the problem without performing an X-ray or an MRI.
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First of all, I am so sorry about the loss of your dog. I experienced the same painful situation in July, 26, 2009. My beautiful German Shpherd, male, Rainier, was two days away from bcelebrating his tenth birthday. He was strong, healthy, and playful. The next day, He literally dropped down, and died suddenly. Your story sounds identical to mine. Also, in 1998, my ten year old German Shepherd, Rocky, died the same way. He had just had his yearly check up. The only problem he had was a mild case of arthritis. Although my hear still aches for the loss of Rainier, I I hope this helps some.
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God struck him down.
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Must of been a random heart attack and the doctors were wrong or something.
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I don't have any answers as to what may have happened, but wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. I don't know you, but know the devatation of losing a pet and my thoughts are with you. Any dog whose owner considered it their best friend, undoubtedly had a wonderful and happy life.
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