Sudden Death From Cancer in a Dog Who Seemed Healthy
by Celeste
(Fort Wayne, Indiana )
Reader Question
My dog of 10 years just passed away, unexpectedly. He seemed
Perfectly fine, then go weak and started vomiting and when we took him to the emergency veteranary clinc, they said he was in critical conditions and would die that SAME NIGHT. They said he had pancreatic cancer, or had an infection that spread. He also seemed to show liver failure. My question is, is it common for a dog to just show no signs until they are about to die? And how much prior to this illness could the cancer have started. Because my dog had been to the vet and he got blood work done and check ups, and they said he was perfect, a healthy dog. Nothing can change the outcome but I'm scared maybe he was showin signs and we never noticed, and he suffered. :( and explaination would be appreciated! We loved him so much, and are devastated by this unexpected death.
Perfectly fine, then go weak and started vomiting and when we took him to the emergency veteranary clinc, they said he was in critical conditions and would die that SAME NIGHT. They said he had pancreatic cancer, or had an infection that spread. He also seemed to show liver failure. My question is, is it common for a dog to just show no signs until they are about to die? And how much prior to this illness could the cancer have started. Because my dog had been to the vet and he got blood work done and check ups, and they said he was perfect, a healthy dog. Nothing can change the outcome but I'm scared maybe he was showin signs and we never noticed, and he suffered. :( and explaination would be appreciated! We loved him so much, and are devastated by this unexpected death.
Answer from Our Team
We are so sorry. What you describe is sadly common: many internal cancers, including those of the pancreas, liver and spleen, cause no clear signs until late, and routine checkups and blood tests can be normal in the months before. There was most likely nothing you could have seen.
It's impossible to know exactly when the cancer started, but you took him for regular checkups and acted quickly when he became ill. That is what a loving owner does. Please be gentle with yourself while you grieve.
See cancer in dogs.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.
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