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

My dog died suddenly. What caused her panting, bleeding, and collapse?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 40 lbs

my dog recently died a sudden death. I was wondering if there was a way to give you her symptoms to see if we could narrow down what might have been the cause? She was panting, having trouble breathing, coughing, she seemed dizzy/out of it and she was bleeding from her vagina. She was spayed and was very healthy her entire life. She was running and eating that morning and within 30 minutes of me finding her panting...she passed away. She was almost 9 years old.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on October 17th, 2019

Again, I'm sorry you lost Honey suddenly. One thing that comes to mind to me is a splenic hemangiosarcoma (tumor on the spleen). The dog acts completely normal while this tumor is growing (or shows only very subtle signs of illness), and then suddenly crashes and dies when the tumor ruptures (which they do). It appears to come out of nowhere. This happened to my dog. He seemed completely fine, then one night out of nowhere, he was panting and having trouble breathing. I rushed him into the clinic, and he had a stomach full of fluid. There was nothing I could at that point in time. Another option is she got into something toxic. I wish I could give an exact answer, but without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain, but I hope this helps.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on April 12th, 2020
I'm sorry that this happened but unfortunately, these types of cancers come on quickly and it is very likely there was no sign of it 3 months ago. Please don't put blame on your vet. I'm sure they are as heartbroken as you. Dogs are very good about hiding illness until it is too late. This same thing happened with my own dog. I had done bloodwork, x-rays and an abdominal ultrasound as routine screening and then three months later he passed from a splenic hemangiosarcoma that had spread to his whole body, brain and spinal cord. He was only a bit lethargic for two days prior to collapse but was otherwise pretty normal. It is just unfortunate. The tumor on the spleen is probably uncomfortable but not necessarily painful but, of course, no one knows for sure. There is no way to know when it came on or how long she was sick before the bleeding started. My guess would be a couple of weeks. Again, I am very sorry for your loss but this is no one's fault - it is just the nature of a living being.
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Related Questions

Health & Wellness

Why did my dog suddenly collapse and die with internal bleeding?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved Jimmy! Losing a pet is one of life's hardest moments. We see a lot of older dogs on Emergency for collapsing. A common cause is bleeding around the heart (pericardium) due to a mass on the right atrium of the heart or from a ruptured tumor on the spleen or liver in the belly. If Jimmy's belly was big and the Vet said it was from blood then I would assume that there was a tumor that burst in his belly from the spleen or liver. I am so sorry for your loss, please let me know if I can help in any other way.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why did my dog suddenly die after collapsing and showing pain?

I'm sorry you lost Mune so suddenly, please accept my condolences for your loss. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain what happened, but it could be she had a problem with her heart, got into something toxic, or may have had cancer like a splenic hemagiosarcoma that ruptured. Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

My dog died suddenly. What caused his pale gums, lethargy, and collapse?

I am so very sorry that your dog passed away suddenly! Without seeing him in person, I can't say exactly what caused him to pass away unfortunately. The pale gums are a concerning sign, as they are caused by anemia and internal bleeding. It could be that he got into something toxic causing the pale gums, and then leading him to pass away. He also could have had a tumor that ruptured, or cancer that had spread. If you'd like answers, I'd recommend taking him into the vet for a necropsy (an autopsy for dogs). Doing that will hopefully give you some more definitive answers. Again, I'm so sorry for your loss.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Why did my dog suddenly die after running with frothing and nosebleed?

Oh my goodness, I am so sorry to hear this! I would be concerned that Maya either got into something toxic while she was out running around or she became overheated and died of heat stroke. There is also a chance she could have had an underlying heart condition that was never diagnosed. Finally there could have been some sort of trauma she encounter like being hit by a car. The watery blood that came out of her nose has most likely come from her lungs. This can be abnormal finding after an animal passes away under more traumatic circumstances. If this recently happened you could take Mays's remains in to your vet and request a necropsy be performed. This may help determine her cause of death. Much sympathy to you.

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Health & Wellness

Why did my dog die suddenly after sneezing blood and blood clots?

I'm so sorry you suddenly lost Aphrodite! It could be she had a tumor in her nasal passage causing the blood when sneezing. It could have also been a bleeding disorder. Without seeing her in person, I can't say for certain but I hope this helps somewhat. 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

Why did my 10-year-old Labrador die suddenly with heavy panting?

First off, I'm so sorry you suddenly lost Ranger! How horrible for you, please accept my condolences for your loss :-( Please keep in mind that without seeing him in person, I can't say for certain what caused him to pass away, but I can make an educated guess. In senior dogs, heart problems are common, and he could have been suffering from heart failure causing the heavy panting and leading to his death. Unfortunately cancer is also common in senior dogs, especially Labs as a breed, and cancer could have caused him to pass away. Dogs are very stoic with illness, and oftentimes they don't show signs of that illness until they are very sick. Cancer that has spread to the lungs or a primary lung tumor would cause heaving panting and does lead to death. These two diseases would be my top differentials for what caused his death. If you want a definitive answer, you can request your vet do a necropsy (an autopsy for dogs). This would give you some answers. Again, I'm so 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