Doberman dropped dead..?

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Bens_Mum

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Last night we were at mother in laws for dinner her 7 year old Doberman was bouncing round like a lunatic as usual when it lies down next to us. She looked tired and suddenly passed a poo laid down and was dead. We rolled her over but her eyes opened her tongue was blue and she apart from a twitch and one breath - I assume reflex? Was absolutely dead.

The dog has been limping intermittently and been to the vet who gave anti biotics but other than that totally normal and hyper.

Just wondered if anyone else has experience of this? We didn't call the vet as she was obviously absolutely gone and it was 9pm. Obviously everyone is devastated I've lost a lot of dogs but never like this at all it was bizzare. Not a bad way to go at all she was there one second gone the next..
 
My 5 year old malamute went similar to this, OH had taken her and the other dog for a walk, they were both happy and wagging their tales all the way home. He left them downstairs to do some diy upstairs, she barked about an hour later so he went downstairs to let her out and she had a poo, lay down and would not get up and was gone within 15 mins, no convulsions or anything to explain it. We discussed vet and autopsy but it wouldn't change anything and I was too upset to want anyone cutting her open.
 
http://www.vetgen.com/canine-dcm.html

Sorry to hear about your mums Dobe, it does sound like DCM to me, do you know how she was bred as some lines are predisposed to this condition, if detected early and with meds it can help but not cure, they are only now beginning to understand this disease and it can now be genetically tested for it. Unfortunately a lot of Dobermanns dies from this and seems more prevalent in the US.
 
Thanks all. It's just such a shock. She was spayed not that long ago so would have thought they might have noticed a heart problem then? Atleast it was quick the others all died of cancer she hasn't had much luck but I suppose 7 is a good age.
 
Im sorry for your loss.

Im afraid it sounds like classic DCM. Many cases do not show any signs before..some have a murmur but not all I am afraid :(

If she was a show or breeding dog then a PM would be a good idea, as DCM is genetic.So that line would need testing to check its not being passed on through the generations.

this is a very good link on the condition.
http://www.cyberdobes.com/articles/pdf/cardio_in_dobes.pdf
 
B_M, I'm sorry to hear of your loss, and though it may well be the preferred way for most of us to go, it must be a shock considering the relatively young age of the dog, and you have my sympathies.

An interesting post of yours Aru, and as other posts about these hereditary problems, I continue to struggle with the concept that with at least 30 years of research and alleged remedy, but with an apparently worsening incidence rate, that we still make no progress, indeed, things seem to worsen. Has any research been done, in an attempt to answer why we seem to be travelling backwards? Not just the Doberman, and though not really my dogs, a distinct and attractive breed of dog, but other breeds, and too many sadly.

A shock for you all B_M. I do understand.

Alec.
 
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