Hello!

I've been a lurker for some time and with some recent events that have occurred, thought that you guys might be the best people to ask my questions to.

Around two weeks ago, my four-year old Golden Retriever (Jeb Stuart) died. My family and I immediately assumed that it was heat stroke (he accompanied my dad on a bike ride and it was hot that day--he disappeared and didn't come home and we found him an hour later, within sight of our creek and our house ). We were obviously devastated--my dad especially.

After talking with our vet, however, we're beginning to to wonder if it wasn't heat stroke after all. I'm not savvy enough to know what the result of heat stroke looks like, but our vet said something to the effect that a dog's tongue would become grossly swollen...? When we found Jeb, his mouth was closed and our vet said that if Jeb had suffered from heat stroke that he wouldn't have been able to close his mouth due to his tongue being swollen. Our vet believes that Jeb may have suffered an aneurysm of some sort or a type of heart disorder that can be undetectable (?) even in athletic dogs (Jebbers was very athletic).

Anyways, I was wondering if anyone had any input on this. Thanks for your help! Big brother Tank (Jeb's black Lab brother) and I appreciate it.

I'm so very sorry for the sudden loss of your golden, Jeb. To loose a golden at 4 is So very tragic! I'm definitely not an expert, but I'm sure others answer your post that are more knowledgeable. Just so sorry for your tragic loss. So sorry that your first post is so sad!

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I'm so sorry for the devastating loss.

A little confused - he disappeared? Did he get unhooked from his leash and run away? Did he encounter something while was lost maybe - something poisonous?

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Jacqueline

"I have just met you and I love you" - Dug (Up!)

I am so sorry for your loss. My heart goes out to you.

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-Valerie

So very sorry about your lost. I wouldn't be certain about what happened for sure, but the breed is known for heart diseases. I had a friend many years ago who had a young golden in great shape collapsed and died from a heart attack of some sort.

I'm so sorry for the loss.
I do know a woman who's Golden died suddenly of a heart attack at age 5. He was running down their driveway to retrieve the morning paper and just collapsed. They were devastated...but thankful he did not suffer.
RIP Jeb

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Miss You Sam...
Aug 1, '94 ~ Jan 8, '07
http://www.scrapblog.com/viewer/vw_f...px?sbid=483622

I am so very sorry for your loss of Jeb Stuart, it does sound like an aneurysm or heart problem. It is always so heart wrenching when a healthy athletic dog dies suddenly.

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King

Sorry for not specifying! Where I live, there are around 70-80 acres of undeveloped land that surround us with no major roads within the vicinity, so we usually don't leash our dogs. With Jeb, he would run then return with Dad on the bike ride 100% of the time, so it was odd when he didn't immediately come back(that's what I meant when I said disappeared... Sorry again for being vague).

Thanks to everyone for your condolences and your thoughts! I've lost one Goldie before Jeb, but it never gets easier. And here as I'm peeking through local breeders' websites I'm wondering, "Why would I ever want to put myself through that again?!"

But. Well....

My heart just aches for you. It is never easy to lose a beloved dog, but to lose one suddenly and without knowing why must be devastating.

One cause of sudden death in Goldens is a ruptured spleen, typically when they have undiagnosed hemagiosarcoma. A dog can "bleed out" within minutes when this happens. One sign that they have an enlarged spleen is a tendency to dry gagging, as if they were trying to bring something up that won't come.

It sounds like your boy had a wonderful life with you.

Why? Because that's the best possible tribute to the one you lost!

Wishing you peace and heart's ease,
Lucy

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Lucy, owned by Joker and Sunny, who remember Charlie with me
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/...years-old.html

Yes, I do the same with my dogs - I feel it is far safer for them to be unleashed while we go for rides - that way they can slow down, stop, go to a stream, explore etc and I just stop the bike and wait. Plus they are not forced to keep going because I do, or get tangled with the bike. There are probably thousands of acres behind my house that have fire trails but few other signs of use

Sorry again for your loss.

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Golden moments shared with
Casey, Faelan, Towhee & Brady too !

and forever in my heart, my golden Bridge boys
Rowdy & King