Expert: Kim Wingate - 11/4/2009

Question
I had a 2 1/2 year old white toy poodle that recently died. She was not feeling well for about 24 hours prior and had vomited a few times. About a year ago, she became unconscious one night and we put her in a blanket to keep her warm. We intended to take her to a vet in the morning, but she was running around and playing the next morning, so we did not go. Over 2009, she would vomit every now and then. In Sept., she was not feeling good for two days and vomited a few times.In Oct, she was spayed and had her shots. Last week, she vomited again, and now died overnite, having vomited once again. She would always be quick to feel better. WE are two adults with no children. There is nothing on the floor she could have been eating. Poodles are smart dogs, but this one was very hard to train and had many accidents, so she did not have free roam in the house at night or when we are not home. Can you help with a clue?

Answer
Hello Greg,
I am not a Vet so this is only a guesstimate on what could have caused the demise of your dog.  It sounds like it could have been an intestinal parasite problem, such as worms.  Worms can live in your dogs stomach for along time without being detected and can cause vomiting, weight loss, blood in the stool, and the dog being lathargic.  Without being treated, dogs can eventually die.  
There are several other things that could cause her death, but without her being seen, there is no way to accurately tell what happened.  

Sorry for your loss, and I hope this helps you some.  If you have other questions for me, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com,
Kim