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Why did my 6-year-old pitbull suddenly die after vomiting?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Pit Bull Terrier | Female | unspayed | 50 lbs

Last week out pitbull (around 6 years old) suddenly passed away. She was fine and playing the night before, in the morning we found that she had vomited a few times in the room she sleeps in. It was slimy, yellow, with grass, and little streaks of blood. We took her outside and she was jumping around as usual and drinking water. No diarrhea. No other weird signs. By that evening she was gone..what could have done this??

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Chad Brown, DVM

Answered By Chad Brown, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on June 28th, 2018

Allow me to first say that I am deeply sorry for your loss. Dixie bear was taken way too early and I offer you my deepest sympathies.

Unfortunately, sudden and acute deaths can happen to dogs and cats just like in human beings. Dogs that are completely normal one moment can suddenly have heart attacks or brain aneurysms, etc. that can cause them to pass away the next. Usually the three main causes of sudden death in dogs of her age are massive heart attacks, brain or cardiac aneurysms, or toxicity of some kind. And yes, all three of these diseases can cause an animal to exhibit vomiting right before they pass away.

Sadly, the only true way to find out what an animal has died from it is by having a post death autopsy performed by a specialized pathologist. if this is something you’re interested in doing, please contact your veterinarian as to whether or not they can refer you to someone that could help determine the cause of death. This could possibly still be done even though it has been a week. I hope this helps. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.

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