Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!
Become a member today!
Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
Already a member? Sign in
Become a credit card member today!
Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
when you use Petco Pay!
APPLY NOW
Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

Why did my dog die suddenly after eating horse poop and throwing up?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My female American Staffordshire terrier just recently died. She’s a rescue that we’ve had for 6.5 years. When we got her, the vet said she was anywhere between 4-6 years old. So she could’ve been 12 years old. She was always eating horse poop. Horses haven’t had ivermectin in months. She ate her food that night, slept fine but threw up the next morning. We left for work and she laid down as we could see on the pet camera. She never woke up. She was running around like a puppy the day before.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Elizabeth

Veterinarian

Published on November 10th, 2019

I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful girl. Without a necropsy (an autopsy) it's impossible to know exactly what happened or why she passed. Dogs can have heart attacks and strokes just like humans and it's possible this is what happened to her. It's strictly a guess but it sounds as if her passing was peaceful. Try to focus on the memories you created in those 6.5 years. She will always be with you in your heart. My condolences.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
I'm so sorry that she died suddenly, please accept my condolences for your loss. If she died so suddenly, it could be something like a tumor on the spleen. Those can grow, the dog shows no signs, then the spleen suddenly ruptures and the dog is extremely sick and goes downhill very fast. It could also be a heart problem. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Anna M., DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 14th, 2017
Hi Raina. I'm so sorry to hear about Susu. I agree with Dr. Melanie that this could have been cancer - or it's also possible she had a slowly progressive chronic issue with an organ, such as kidney disease or heart disease.

I just wanted to add that if it was helpful to you to have more concrete answers, many vets are willing to perform a necropsy (animal version of autopsy) for a pretty reasonable fee. If you call your nearest vet, they can let you know if that's an option. Sometimes having a more definitive answer can be helpful. Sorry again for your loss.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

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

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.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why did my dog suddenly die with yelping, bloody vomit, and diarrhea?

Oh my, that is so horrible for you, I am so sorry for your loss! It could be that she got into something toxic causing her symptoms or she could have had an abdominal tumor that suddenly ruptured. Without seeing her in person, I unfortunately can't say for certain. If you would like an answer, you can take her into a vet for a necropsy (an autopsy for dogs). This may give you some answers as to why she suddenly passed away. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss. Basset Hounds are amazing dogs (I have one myself), and I'm sure Mia will be greatly missed :-(

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog died suddenly after not eating. What emergency caused it?

I am so deeply sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you in this difficult time. It is of course difficult to know precisely what happened to Daisy without examining her, however, I would be concerned about two possible conditions. Bloat which is when the stomach becomes englarged and may rotate. This causes the blood vessels to constrict and affects blood flow to and from the heart. It is common in large barrel chested dogs. Another possibility is A foreign body obstruction, which occurs when something becomes lodged and Blocks the gastrointestinal tract, the bloackage can be complete and cause a rupture. Again it is difficult for me to know what could have caused Daisy to pass. If you need to know definitively, a local veterinarian may be able to perform an autopsy. Sending my deepest sympathies to you.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

What caused my dog's sudden death after vomiting and body stiffness?

I'm really sorry to hear this and for the loss of your dog. Unfortunately, what you are describing is not specific to any one disease, so I cannot tell you exactly what happened. In order to tell for sure, I would have to get more information about his case, examine the body and send samples for testing. However, considering how soon he died, this indicates that he either had severe organ damage, or a severely altered blood chemistry. This can happen in cases of certain infections and in cases of poisoning. There are also many other preexisting conditions like cancer, heart/vascular disease and parasitism that could also cause their to be a sudden decline in health. I know that didn't fully answer your question, but I hope that helps you to understand what may have happened. For more information, you may consider asking the veterinarian that gave the treatment, or ask another vet doctor in your area to review the case.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why did my pet die suddenly with blood in its stool? Was it poison?

Due to the blood in the stool the death was more likely from parvovirus or a severe case of intestinal parasites. Dogs that are poisoned often vomit and have seizures. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you get answers to your veterinary questions.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog vomited and died suddenly. Could she have choked while breathing?

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

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why did my young dog die suddenly with diarrhea and collapse?

First off, I'm sorry that you lost your dog so suddenly. Please accept my condolences for your loss. I'm only guessing here, but if he wasn't vaccinated, it could have been parvo that caused him to pass. It could also be that he had a foreign body, a severe GI illness, or if he was fed a raw diet, the bacteria from the raw diet could have made him extremely sick. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Share