diagnosis of the death of my dog?

Question

I had a 9 year old chow mixed, yesterday he was completely fine and healthy, this morning he was very ill and died 3 hours later, I would like to know if anybody could give some tips on the diagnosis/cause of his death as I think he was poisoned by my racist neighbour.

Symptoms:
Black Gums (think its normal for chow)
Thirsty
Very weak, struggling to walk
No vomiting
No Bleeding (rectal or oral)
No swelling (stomach flat/normal)
Not dehydrated
Eyes did not have any doscoloring or other

When I checked him, he was fine. The only thing I noticed was that he was very weak, he struggled to get up but he did get up and drank some water, he did walk around for a while and died where he ususally sleeps.

Please help, thanks

Answer 1

Has the dog ever been tested for diabetes. Those are all symptoms of diabetic shock. I am no vet and the only way you will ever know for sure is to have a necropsy done. Sorry for your loss.

Answer 2

no offense but you should have taken the dog to the vet the first time you noticed anything wrong or unusual to begin with. a change in temperament is the first sign of illness. ask the vet to do an autopsy if you really want to know what happened to her. it was very unlikely that it was old age. my irish setter is 14 and if you know about dogs this is unusual for a dog of this size. a lab is a much smaller dog and in general will live longer.

Answer 3

Since it was so sudden I would guess that he got into something that poisoned him. I am not sure at all if this is the case. I would call the vet to see what their opinion is. It is free to call and ask. If you are really concerned you could ask how much it would be to conduct an autopsy. I am sorry about your loss!

Answer 4

if i were you i would take the dogs body to the vet for a necropsy( animal autopsy ) to find out. If you have reasons to think a neighbor poisoned him then you will need to get some documentation and proof... let's hope someone wouldn't do this

Answer 5

Could you not get the dog to a vet before he died? Might either have saved him, or given the vet a better idea what to look for on necropsy.

Answer 6

I would think if you have a hunch its the neighbor, I would definitely follow your gut. Get a neocropsy and find out. If your dog was poisoned, contact the police and animal control and get charges brought against him. That is ridiculous for you to lose your dog because of a whacked out neighbor. I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

I am so sorry for your loss!!!!!! Have you taken him to the vet's office, maybe they can tell you. It could have been a stroke, but i'm no expert. My wolf died of a stroke last year, and her son died of a blood clot on his lungs. All symptoms sound like what happened to my wolves. I would take him in to be sure, so your not blaming your neighbor for something they may or may not have done. God bless you, and may your baby rest in peace!!!!!!!!

Answer 8

I agree with others, do an autopsy on it. Could be antifreeze? it causes crystallization of the kidneys and only a tablespoon can be fatal in a few hrs. listen to your gut,and if you feel its another's doing, spend the cash to get the autopsy done .good luck.

Answer 9

Hard to say. If its not too late, ask your vet to do a Necropsy. might cost you some money but the information may help you rest easy.

Answer 10

Im sooo sorry for your loss, I would take him to the vet to find out what did kill him. If your neighbor did this I hope you throw the book at them! It is such a shame that there are people out there that would do such a thing! my prayers are with you!