Can dogs die of a broken heart?

DemiDee

Animals can be very sensitive and I just wondered if anyone knew of someone who had a dog or other pet that died of a broken heart when its owner passed away? Some might not believe that animals are sensitive enough but I fully believe this is possible, especially with dogs because they are so attached to their owners.

spike7451

My Uncle passed away last Feburary & their Spaniel,Meg, passed away soon after.My Aunt said Meg often went looking for him after he passed away.

Molly41

Both my dogs are incredibly sensitive. Both of mine pine dreadfully when either of us are not there. We have had to put the other's dressing gown in the dog's basket to stop the howling and get them to settle. Both my westies go looking for us if we are not there. I know Molly does not eat as well so could imagine that she might fade away. Poppy loves her food so not so sure !

snowman2_2

I saw a dog who developed heart failure not long after his owner (mr) died. He did well with treatment for about 1 year until his auntie (sister of mrs) died who he was close to. He died within 2 weeks of her. It is either a coincidence or a broken heart (literally)

pompeyfaith

There was a mine hunting soldier in Afghanistan who was out mine hunting with his dog, the soldier was shot and died and the dog was taken back to camp bastion by another soldier where it had a seizure and died also.

How sad is that.

All_eBayed_Out

pompeyfaith wrote: »

There was a mine hunting soldier in Afghanistan who was out mine hunting with his dog, the soldier was shot and died and the dog was taken back to camp bastion by another soldier where it had a seizure and died also.

How sad is that.

Reading that story in the news made me really sad today.

romylou_2

All_eBayed_Out wrote: »

Reading that story in the news made me really sad today.

I saw that story and it had the same effect on me. It does show that animals have a significant and emotional attachment to their owners whether they are a part of a family or used for working.

Kaz2904

snowman2 wrote: »

I saw a dog who developed heart failure not long after his owner (mr) died. He did well with treatment for about 1 year until his auntie (sister of mrs) died who he was close to. He died within 2 weeks of her. It is either a coincidence or a broken heart (literally)

There is a recognized illness in humans called takotsubo cardiomyopathy and is also known as "Broken Heart syndrome". It is a type of heart failure.
If humans can suffer from it, I shouldn't see why other animals can't. It's very interesting but very sad when you encounter it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Takotsubo_cardiomyopathy

juliebunny

There is an article in the Daily Mail about this today.

I was always told to let my other pets see when one of them dies so they understand why he isn't there anymore (same could apply to an owner). My boy cat got run over and a wonderful neighbour took him to the vet where they scanned him for his microchip. Although he was dead, and I was devastated, at least I knew what had happened to him. He wore a collar but it had gone knocked off when the car (who did not bother to stop) hit him. It was later found and the lady rang me to see if I was ok.

My girl cat waited at the back gate for 2 weeks for him to come home.

Sort of a happy ending because my neighbour told me of her friend who had left her husband, children and cats behind including a tiny kitten.....I went to get the kitten and came home with the mum cat too. She was exhausted from too many kittens but has now had the snip and living happily ever after.

I didn't know a thing about her but she is the most unusual grey and peach colour and her kitten is a naughty tortie! Goodness I'm going all schmaltzy, but I do adore them! Got them the Pets at Home special offer Felix GAIL last night! :j

manda1205

A friend of mine was immegrating to New Zealand, they were debating what to do with their dog (think it was 8yrs old) as they thought it would be hard to find another owner as she was getting old. They had about a few months before they were leaving and their dog just died. No reasons as such, but I feel its a huge coincedence, I suspect the dog knew they were going and couldnt bear to be apart from them.

kazwookie

pompeyfaith wrote: »

There was a mine hunting soldier in Afghanistan who was out mine hunting with his dog, the soldier was shot and died and the dog was taken back to camp bastion by another soldier where it had a seizure and died also.

How sad is that.

I read this as well, and was nearly in tears, the dog was only 22 months old.

The soldier and dog RIP

I hope the powers that be allow them to be buried or what ever together.