My dog seemed to die, then breathed again before passing. Why?

I'm so very sorry that you had such a traumatic experience with losing Lani. What it sounds like you are describing as her last breaths are something called agonal breathing. It occurs after consciousness is lost. It is an unconscious reaction that we will sometimes see just before a dog dies. From your description of events, I suspect that Lani died in her sleep. When her heart stopped, her body had some unconscious reactions that look disturbing to us, but she was likely already gone or at least unconscious by then. I hope that was helpful in allowing you to understand what occurred yesterday. My deepest sympathies in your loss of Lani.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry about Chandelle! There are many possible causes as she was a senior dog. Heart failure, a seizure that caused aspiration or non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema, choking, a severe allergic reaction, twisted stomach or an internal bleed. With out an autopsy we will never know. Again I am so very sorry for your loss!

I am so sorry Nat that you had to put Jack to sleep. I work for a home euthanasia company, so I know what it entails quite well. I wasn't there, so I can't say anything for certain, but it may be that he wasn't fully sedated at the time the solution was pushed, or it could have been a natural body reaction to the solution. He may have had what's called agonal breathing, which is normal. I warn owners about the potential of it happening, as it is distressing, but I can assure you it doesn't mean the dog is in distress or feeling anything. I have seen it happen myself. The solution causes no pain to the dog, so I suspect that may be the cause of what you saw. I hope this helps.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Wow! How scary for you! You stated that he is a mix breed but can you specify what breeds? Some breeds are genetically predisposed to have over long soft palates, which can cause an upper airway obstruction. We may never know what caused this episode. An ischemic event is possible or a brief vestibular event or even seizure (focal) since he seemed mentally inappropriate. Watch him closely and god forbid if he has another episode try to catch it on video to show to your Vet. I wish you the best!

First off, I'm so very sorry you lost Lucky so suddenly! How horrible for you, and please accept my condolences for your loss. Yes, it certainly is possible that she was suffering from late stage CHF causing the symptoms you saw when you came home. CHF causes syncope, which is when a dog suddenly passes out due to lack to blood to the brain. Unfortunately without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain, but it is possible. I hope you are doing ok after the loss of your dog, and I hope this helps you!

Please don’t feel guilty. Choking is a possibility but usually you see gagging and retching and the struggle and fight to catch air. If he was breathing for that king I doubt it was choke. I would be suspicious of the force of vomiting leading to a clot from the trauma as the cause of death which is not preventable

These are the typical signs of a dog dying, The twitching may just be reflexes, and the mouth opening and closing is the unconscious brain which is not getting oxygen (because the heart already stiopped beating) telling the lungs to breathe. But, at that time the dog is already dead. I am sorry for your loss.