My Black Labby, Emerson

[Cookiebaker]

My Emerson passed away in the middle of the night last night. We were in the process of determining what was wrong with him, and so far all we know is that his liver was being affected by antibiotics that he was on. It is so hard to think that rightly or wrongly it was his time to go.

Emerson was always so full of bounce and fun. He never left the toybox picked up. I would get all the toys together and in their place, and he would promptly go and dump them all out again. And he was wiggily. He loved to waggle his whole body, and he was the first to greet me at the door everytime I came home.

And Emerson was affectionate! He would just melt right into my side when I sat on the floor with him. And KISSES! He loved to kiss and kiss and kiss. This weekend, he stopped giving kisses. I couldn't beg or plead one out of him. But just before I left him at the vets, I was on the floor with him, giving him a big hug and promising to come back for him, and he gave me two ear-cleaning-out kisses. I am so thankful for them now.

Emerson, I never came back to get you, and I don't even really realize that you aren't come back yet. And I don't even have words for you now. But I love you and I am so glad that you were part of my life. The day you came home with me, my life was made a whole lot brighter.

[Cookiebaker]

p.s. For everybody who still has their furry friends. Go take pictures of them!!! I kept promising I would take pictures of Emerson with his new squeaky tennis balls from Vermontcat, and now it is too late. I would do anything to have a picture of him running around squeaking squeaking squeaking. So learn from my mistake. And goooo take pictures!!! :)

[Karen]

Oh, Emerson, as I told your mom, I am somehow convinced there is a never-tiring machine up at the Rainbow Bridge that throws tennis balls for all the doggies who sooooooooo love to chase them.

You will be missed so much down here on this earth, but at least now you are healthy again, and back to your bouncy shiny self.

Watch over "your" baby Lydia extra special now, okay? And send Momma some squeaks in her dreams, and maybe some tail thumps, so she knows you're okay up there.

[Reachoutrescue]

Emerson, I am sorry you had to leave your family, but God needed you with him. Now you are free of pain and sickness. You will forever run and play fetch with the one that created you. Your family will miss you deeply, but you will meet again when it is their time. God bless you and your loved ones. RIP sweet Emerson.

[mruffruff]

I am so sorry!! He was a beautiful boy who knew he was loved. Take comfort in the fact that he will know no more pain.

Hugs.

[Cinder & Smoke]

I would do anything to have a picture of him running around squeaking squeaking squeaking.

You don't need a picture ...
You have a permanent image of Dear Emmerson, ball in mid-Squeek,
burned into you mind ... never to be forgotten.

And TWO *Kisses* to remember ...
his way of saying "THANKS, Mom! ~ It was a GOOD Life you gave me!"

Have a sfe trip to the Bridge, Emmers.

{{{Hugs}}}

/s/ http://petoftheday.com/i/our_smilies/frown.gif Phred

[Vela]

This just makes my heart break for you. I am so sorry he had to go so soon. He was a very special boy.

[Ginger's Mom]

:( I am so sorry (that sounds so inadequate). Anna, I was devastated when I saw this title come up. I tried to respond right away and found I couldn't even spell the simplest words. I never expected this to happen even from reading your health posts. All I can do is send you lots and lots of hugs and prayers. :( I am so sorry.
Play free, sweet Emerson, you were such a loved boy.

[luvofallhorses]

oh no! I am so sorry! :( ((((HUGS)))) you will be in my thoughts. rest in peace, sweet Emerson. :(

[K9soul]

Anna, I wish I had words to bring you comfort. I share in your grief. I just feel sick at heart, my chest feels heavy, my eyes are stinging with tears. The shock of it is like an electric jolt through the body. I'll never forget his sweet face when you brought him home, how he fit in the family as if he were a missing puzzle piece, pictures of he and Malone together. I wish I could bring him back to have more time with you. We are never ready, but to lose a pup in the prime of life is just a horror. I'm praying for you, grieving with you. Sending all my love across the miles.

Beautiful boy Emerson, romp and play to your labbie heart's delight. Watch over your family. You are deeply, deeply missed. :(

[Daisy and Delilah]

Rest in Peace Emerson :( Play hard at the bridge sweetheart :(

[K9soul]

Can't stop thinking about beautiful sweet Emmers.

http://www.pt.plainolpup.com/10073.JPG

http://www.pt.plainolpup.com/10072.JPG

Not a happier pup in the universe than that boy.

[gemini9961]

Anna I am so sorry. RIP Emerson. Play hard at the bridge and take care of all of the other PT babies. :(

[Cookiebaker]

thank you for your warms wishes. Jess, thank you for finding those pictures. It is starting to hit of what is happening. We are going at 5:00 tonight to say good bye. Please please keep us in your thoughts. This is going to be so hard to do. :(

[K9soul]

(((((Hugs)))))) to you Anna. I will hold you close in my heart and prayers.

[pitc9]

Rest easy Emerson, run free and play at your own free will.
You will be missed.

[Pam]

Anna I am sitting here stunned. What an awful shock for those of us who only knew him through your wonderful posts. I can only imagine the pain and loss you are feeling now. I am sure that the suddenness of it all feels like someone kicked you in the chest.

Jess thank you for posting those pictures although they made me cry. I know he is not suffering any more and has probably met up with several PT doggies who have recently gone on before but we shall surely miss that boy. (((HUGS))) to you Anna and Mark.

[luvofallhorses]

((((HUGS)))) you'll be in my thoughts. he was gorgeous!

[Vela]

Thanks for posting those pictures Jess, it was nice to see that happy smiling face.

I am glad you at least get to say goodbye, I am so sorry this happened. Your family is in my prayers and many hugs to you through this very hard time.

[shais_mom]

I am so so sorry Anna - I am stunned, he was much to young for the bridge.

RIP sweet boy...

[AdoreMyDogs]

Oh Anna :( I'm so sorry. I don't stop by the dog threads as much as I used to, but happend to glance today and I'm so heart-broken at the news. I'm so very sorry :( I'm sharing in your pain, my tears are flowing. Emerson was just adorable and what a happy boy he was. It's so sad that he had to leave the earth as such a young boy, but he had one heck of a happy life with you. He'll now watch over you all and be a guardian for your little girl.

((((hugs)))) to you all :(

[Glacier]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Godspeed Emerson.

[ChrisH]

Rest in peace, dear sweet Emerson. Too young, too quickly you were taken, you will ever be missed.

{{{hugs}}} Anna & Mark.

[Aspen and Misty]

I am so sorry to hear about Emerson, my heart is just breaking for you. I can still remember when you got him, it seems like it was yesterday.

Ashley

[lizbud]

I just can't believe Emerson could be gone so quickly. :( I am in shock.
Poor baby. Anna, I am so very sorry you have lost your boy. :(

Rest In Peace sweet Emmers. :(

[Husky_mom]

I´m really sorry for your loss....... I have to admit I didn´t recall Emerson´s face....... I think I saw very few pics from him.......and I´m sorry...... he seems to had been a wonderful boy adn he will still be at the RB.......

I think Phred just said the right words...... you gave him the time of his life by your side and he was thanful for that....... I know pics are a must, but having a soooo tresured mind image carved deep into you is much more valuable as you´ll have him with you wherever you go........

R.I.P. Emerson..... play hard boy

[Pawsitive Thinking]

This is just too sad for words :( Will be hugging my two boys extra tight tonight.

Play hard at the Bridge sweet boy - you are in good company

[finn's mom]

oh gosh, this is horrible. i am so so sorry. i loved emerson, still do...even if i never met him, he was always a favorite lab of mine.

[Sevaede]

**HUGS** R.I.P. Emerson. :(

What a beautiful boy! :(

[ramanth]

Oh Anna. :( :( I'm in complete and utter shock. *HUGS*

The world is a little less bright now that you have gone Emerson. You are missed sweet labby boy. :( :( :(

[anna_66]

I keep sitting here trying to find the words to say to you Anna but all that comes is tears. My heart aches for you and your family.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think that your little "extreme licker" (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=47811) would be leaving this world so soon. Your very lucky you got those licks...he really loved you.

Many, many (((HUGS)))

RIP Emerson
Please say hi to Keisha & Angus for me

[Logan]

Oh Anna. :( :( :( I will be back to "talk" with you more, later. I am so sorry. :(

[jenluckenbach]

I am so orry for your loss. :( :(

RIP Emerson, you were loved and will be greatly missed.

[Alysser]

I am so sorry. RIP sweet Emerson! I remember the pics you posted from Maine, of him. He's so gorgeous. :)

This is a shock. ((hugs))

Godspeed, Emerson

[*LabLoverKEB*]

Oh, no Anna! I am just seeing this thread now. I am in total shock, and don't know what to say right now.... I am so incredibly sorry, Anna. Emerson was such a sweet, handsome young man.... I am so so sorry. You did everything you could to help Emerson. Give Malone a big kiss for me, please. :( :(

[sabies]

I am so sorry to hear. RIP Emerson.

[buttercup132]

:( Not another PT doggy.

R.I.P Em you were very handsome.

[Jadapit]

I'm so very sorry for your loss! :( RIP sweet Emerson.

[trayi52]

Oh, Anna, I am so sorry. I just was not expecting this to happen so soon! I know it is a shock for you as well, and very heartbreaking. You and your family will be in my prayers.

Rest in Peace, sweet Emerson, and play hard at the bridge.

Willie

[prechrswife]

So sorry for your loss... :(

[Roxyluvsme13]

Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry. (((HUGS)))

[cyber-sibes]

I'm so sorry about Emerson. I'm sure he's bouncing around at the RB with all our PT pups, happy to be whole & well again. What a sad day this has been for PT. :(

[Vermontcat]

Oh Anna, I am so, so sorry that your sweet labby boy Emerson has gone to the RB. :(
I remember when I was lucky enough to meet him in person a couple of years ago, he was such a sweet and lovable shy guy.
Don't feel bad about not getting some new photos of him, I'm sure that you have lots of other special photos of him and you will always have the special memories of him with you at all times.
It is so hard to think of the right words to comfort you now, my heart is really hurting for you. :(
I'm sure everyone at the Rainbow Bridge knew when Emerson arrived, squeaking his tennis ball like crazy.
Sending many, many comforting hugs your way.
Samantha sends lots of comforting purrs to you as well.

[dukedogsmom]

I'm so very sorry. I'm thankful you got to receive those last kisses. I know they are precious to you now. My Duke will take care of Emerson and welcome him to the RB. I know how much it hurts. We can't take the pain away but we can be there to help you through this. It breaks my heart, as well. I wish I could do more for you. Rest ease now, Emerson. Your family loves and misses you.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I'm so sorry to hear this sad news.:( He sure was a handsome boy. RIP sweet Emerson.:(

[K9karen]

:( :( :( :( i can barely breathe. I can't tell you how sorry I am, Anna and Mark.

I'm getting out my camera.

[Taz_Zoee]

I am so sorry to hear about Emerson.
RIP Sweet Emerson.

[Kfamr]

Anna,

This is just too much. I am so sorry to hear about your sweet boy. Such a young sweet boy. I had him in my thoughts but hadn't posted a reply since we are away from home.

I hope you find comfort somehow. I will keep you all in my thoughts ~ hugs to Malone for me, please?

Kay

[kallisto4529]

This is just a horrible shock, I am so very sorry for you and your family, I do not know any of you but I have seen the pics you have posted of your beautiful Emerson and what a HAPPY boy he truly was, you could always see how very loved he was, he just glowed with it, both he and Malone. My prayers are with all of you at this horrible time. He will have lots of angels to play ball with, they will all take care of him and make sure he is never alone, always remember he knew how much you loved him.
RIP sweet Emerson, Godspeed to the Bridge.

[wolf_Q]

I'm shocked...I'm so sorry to hear about Emerson. :( He was a very special boy. I remember when you brought him home, he was the perfect companion for your family. {{HUGS}} He will be missed by all of us.

[cloverfdx]

Oh no Anna and family i am so sorry. Rest easy Emerson :(.

[Cookiebaker]

I'm having such a hard time sleeping tonight. I keep waking up every hour and I'm still in such shock. I just want to talk to someone, so I thought I would just post my rambling thoughts here. I am so thankful for pet talk. I am reminded of why this is such a great community. My friends in the real world don't really understand, I don't think. I am so thankful that I can come here and type out my grief and get it out maybe? I don't know.

i was remember when we got him, and what a strange coincidence it all was. The thread where we got him is here (http://petoftheday.com/talk/showthread.php?t=46314&page=2&pp=40&highlight=OMG+Emerson) and it is post #57. He was so right for us, he fit in here perfectly. I can't believe it is barely over 3 years later, and he is gone.

We went down last night to say our goodbyes. Our vet cried with us. She is a great lady and I think she is hurting just as much as we are. I think she feels responsible because she missed some clues. They are going to do an autopsy/biopsy at their expense to try and get some answers for us. It was hard to see him, so hard. He was peaceful though. It looked like all I had to do was snap my fingers, and he would jump up and want to play. But he was gone, really gone.

Right now, things just aren't making sense -- the antibiotic that he was on does NOT have a side effect of liver issues. It does have side effects of eye issues, and Emm wasn't suffering from any of those side effects at all. So we are now wondering if he had an underlying issue that was causing the bladder problems, but was also a systemic problem? I guess time will tell. But I would think that something would have shown up in all the bloodwork we had done at the beginning. Or maybe it was something entirely different like an intestinal blockage. I don't know why they didn't just do xrays right off the bat to rule that out? I think its because they thought that he wasn't holding down food, but holding down water.

Dr. C. told us a little bit more about her last few minutes with him. She was at the office until 10:30 that night, and took some time to give him some water and take him out. He puked up the water, but peed fine. She then went and gave him fluids under his skin (they had decided to put off giving him the IV until the next morning) when she noticed that his gums were bleeding. This is also a sign of problems with the liver, I guess. She gave him a shot of Vitamin K, and put him in his crate. She said that he was resting peacefully. He died sometime during the night in his sleep. She said he wasn't frantic or seeming to be suffering. I guess I take comfort in that. I just wish so much that he wasn't alone. If I had known, if I had only known that there was a possibility of him going, I would have camped out with him.

How do you tell another dog that his buddy isn't coming back?? Malone is searching, looking for Emerson to come back. He barks at any little noise outside, but not because he is worried about the noise. Its like he keeps looking for Emerson to come bark with him, and when he doesn't come he just lays down with his nose in his paws again. Last night, he laid right down on Emerson's favorite toy, a stuffed birdhouse, that was still laying in the living room where Em had left it. They loved to play tug-of-war with that thing, and I think Malone was missing his play partner. There were a million other places he could have laid down, but he kept coming back to that spot. Mark was late coming home from a meeting last night, and Malone was so excited when the car pulled up. But as soon as Mark came in alone, he got all sad again, and just laid down with his head in his paws again. he wasn't excited to see Mark at all.

There were two things that happened yesterday that were especially hard. I had a whole bunch of errands to run. The first place I went to, I pulled out my wallet, and there at the front of all my pictures was one of Emerson. I couldn't get back to the car fast enough before the tears came again. And another errand was to go to the town office to renew their rabies tags. I had written the check out for $13 last Thursday or something, and it wasn't until I got there that I realized I only needed half of that amount. Why yesterday????? Why did I have to go to the town office yesterday?? Couldn't it have been last week or next week? So I stood in line feeling so stupid as I tried to explain to the lady that I needed to pay cash instead of the check I had written out, and that it was only one dog, not two. It was horrible.

I want to post some pictures. I have been going through the albums on my computer and there are so many great pictures that I have posted already, and some that I never posted. So I would like to do that, and will work on that today.

If you read through this whole thing, thank you. if not, I totally understand. :p Thank you again for all the kind words, thoughts and prayers. I really don't know what I would do without pet talk. :eek:

[chocolatepuppy]

I'm so sorry about Emerson. :( I just couldn't reply yesterday. I guess we'll never know why these things happen, but surely Emerson has a purpose at the Rainbow Bridge.

How do you tell another dog that his buddy isn't coming back??
That's so hard. :( A lot of extra attention and loving is all you can do.
I hope you at least find out 'why' Emerson died. Maybe it will help to understand. You'll be in my thoughts.{hugs}

[Pam]

Anna I am so glad there is a place like Pet Talk also so that you had somewhere to come to pour out your heart. Your post was wrenching and brought back all of those raw feelings that we, who have lost a dog, have felt. I hope you are sleeping finally but it is probably a fitful sleep.

I hope the autopsy will give you the answers. I have only had one dog pass away without knowing the cause. She was dead on my sofa one day after work and I had left a healthy dog in the morning. The vet assumed it was a heart attack but it is more likely that it was bloat. What grieves me to this day is that she, like Emerson, died alone. :( I am glad you are going ahead with the autopsy. I told the vet I didn't want one but I have wished a zillion times that I had one. I think there is a lot of guilt when the cause is not clear (a lot of 'what could I have done to prevent this?' sort of thinking goes on).

Reading about Malone's reaction is making the tears flow. They were buddies and now he will need to go on alone. Maybe they communicated on some level Anna. Maybe Malone knows that Emm was not feeling well and has already begun mourning. I wish I could give these (((hugs))) to you in person, but please know that we are all here for you in whatever way we can be. Please do post those pictures. I know looking at them will bring the tears but it would be a wonderful memorial to your Emm and the special boy he was.

[Pawsitive Thinking]

Anna, I read your entire post and it didn't take long for the tears to start flowing.

There is nothing we can say that will ease your pain but I do hope you get some comfort from knowing that we are all thinking of you. Like others have said, I hope the autopsy can give you an answer.

Take care you. Big hugs to Malone

[ChrisH]

Anna {{{{hugs}}}}
can't write anything, vision is blurred with tears.

[anna_66]

Oh Anna, so many of us here can relate with all the hardships your going through now and I'm sure that our hearts are breaking right along with yours.

Even thought your not around much any more I'm so glad that you come here to share your feelings and ramblings with us. When Angus died I just felt I couldn't talk about him but now I wish I had, it might have made me feel better and I hope it's made you feel a little more at ease, at least for a little bit.

I'm glad to hear the vet is doing an autopsy and will try and get to the bottom of what the problem was.

Lots of (((HUGS)))
Anna

[Vela]

I have been thinking of you all since yesterday morning. I wish there was something could say to make it stop hurting. Your post had me in tears again, and I know how much your hert hurts. Reading about Malone made me feel so sad. I know he misses his buddy too. I hope in the pictures and the memories you can find some happiness at some of the good times. Maybe not right now, but someday. Thinking of you gusy today and hoping you find a little comfort in knowing he's still there watching over you. He'll be waiting for you.

[Logan]

I have had you on my mind, Anna, nonstop, since I read your original post yesterday. My heart is just heavy and I don't know what to say to you that will make you feel better. If I had the right words, I'd be saying them to myself, over and over, and to all the others who have suffered such great loss in their lives.

You know, we are your real world. We're real. We hurt and agonize with you as if it were our own family member that departed. This is a wonderful place, with wonderful, real friends, who share one precious gift in common, our love for our animals.

I realized, this morning, that tomorrow is the first anniversary of losing Zipper. Like Emerson, he was with us for too short of a time. I'm not sure there is ever long enough, to tell you the truth, but it is a different kind of grief when you let them go after they have lived full, healthy lives. That has at least been my experience. No less painful, just a bit easier to swallow. You didn't get that with Emerson and we didn't get that with Zipper or Lilly.
:(

I'm not a good one to talk with, probably, unless you need to have a good crying session. That, I can do, very easily.

Please know that I am thinking of you and Mark and your precious babies and you will be in my prayers.

Logan

[k9krazee]

Anna, I read this last night but could not bring myself to reply :( I still am at a loss for words but I wanted to let you know that you, Mark and Malone are in my thoughts. (((((hugs)))))) Thanks for posting the link to the thread of Em's introduction to PT, I wasn't here at the time and that whole thread brought a smile to my face.

Rest Easy Mr. Emerson, you will never be forgotten.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I am so sorry for you and your entire family, Anna. Malone will heal, but it'll take time. When I lost my childhood dog that Graham knew for many years, it was a very hard mourning period, but eventually Graham healed. I even thought he enjoyed becoming an only dog before I decided to adopt Kersey. He was happy as an only dog after the mourning period passed.

I know it's harder with a little baby, but I did a lot of stuff for Graham that helped after his companion of many years died. I took him to the dog park frequentlly, to the lake to swim and chase the ducks, and on car rides. All these things he enjoyed and it kind of took the edge off of the grief for the both of us. When my heart-dog Graham died, I had Boone to heal Kersey's broken heart, so it wasn't the same situation as going from 2 to 1 dogs.

I wish there was something I could do or say to help you threw this. It's an absolutely horrible thing to go threw. Unfortunately, there's nothing that helps excpet time, time and happy memories. You, Mark and Malone are in my thoughts and prayers. I am so very sorry :(

[petslover]

I just read each and every post on this topic.

I am so sorry for your family's loss.

Emerson had a great, fulfilled time while he was this earth while he was with you and your family. You did everything you could.

RIP EMERSON

[zippy-kat]

Anna, I'm so very sorry for your loss. I pray that your pain hastily gives way to gentle, comforting memories that bring smiles and tears of joy for a beautiful -albeit too short- life.

What a happy dog Emm was and I'm sure he's now happy to take to his place as guardian angel over your family.

{{hugs to you & Malone}}

[captain]

Anna,
I sit here in tears having read all the posts, and especially your post about Malone missing Em.

My thoughts, prayers and hugs are coming to you across the miles.

Emerson, Play hard at the bridge darlin! Send Mum a sign that you are OK, and watching over her, OK?

Love
Michelle

[K9soul]

I'm thinking of you, Mark and Malone tonight, Anna. Keeping you in my heart and my prayers. (((hugs)))

[Tollers-n-Dobes]

I am so very sorry for your loss. :(

I don't even know what to say - this is such a shock to me. He sounded like an absolutely wonderful boy. I'll be keeping you guys in my thoughts. (((hugs)))

[4 Dog Mother]

Oh, Anna & Mark, I am so sorry about the loss of your Emerson. I too can remember when you first got him and so many pictures of him and Malone. What a shock to find he is gone and gone so quickly! All of us here are so aware of how awful it is to lose a pet that becomes as much a part of your family as your children are. And what a devestating loss it is when one of them goes to the bridge. I hope they find the answers as to why he died so other pets may benefit from it and someone else might be spared a loss.

I read your whole post through as well as everyone elses. I think it is great that you can share with us what Emerson meant to you and post how you are feeling. You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. RIP Emerson!

[My Peanuts]

Oh my, poor Emerson. He was too young.

Soon you will be able to remember all the good times and smile.

RIP Emerson :(

[Vermontcat]

Anna, I just wanted to check in on you and see how you are doing.
I'm still thinking of you and your family at this difficult time.
I had an idea that might help Malone, maybe you could set up a playdate with Kara's dogs.
Sending more hugs your way for you and your family.

[KYS]

My heart breaks with sadness and it never gets easier when
we loose our fur babies.
Emerson watch over your humans, you are missed.
Hugs

[finn's mom]

I read your entire post, and just can't imagine how your heart must hurt. It is hard to find people in your life that you can share something like this with, without feeling like they're mocking you or that they think you're over-reacting. It's ok that they don't understand, but it's nice when you have at least one person who does. I'm glad that you have this place to turn to. Every little piece of comfort helps. I can't imagine what your vet must be feeling, but I do think it's good that they are trying to get some answers. Maybe Emerson will give them insight into something and the answers they get may help save another dog. From everything i've ever read about Emerson, he did seem very unselfish. I would hug you if I could. Please give Malone hugs from me and David and all three of our kids. Finn sends really big love to his fellow yellow.

[shais_mom]

I know that PT's very own Corrina was there with the other grandmas waiting with open arms for Emmers to welcome him to his final home....

[dukedogsmom]

I wanted to also say that I'm thinking of you. I know it's very hard. I don't think I told you but here's where I got Duke's urn. It made me feel so much better to have something personal for him. www.adirondackpeturns.com The people there are very nice, too.http://adirondackpeturns.com/memorials/Duke_1106.JPG Please check in here and let us know how you're doing. I know how much your heart is hurting right now.

[Cookiebaker]

I just wanted to give a little bit of an update -- we got the results from the autopsy on Friday,and there is nothing conclusive, and in many ways we are back where we started. The autopsy showed that he died from massive liver failure, and a lot of protein in his urine.

The question remains as to what sparked the massive liver failure. There are 3 theories at this point:

1. He had what the vet called an "idiocyncratic" reaction to the antibiotic he was on for a UTI. She equated it to someone who reacts to Pennicillin -- its not a "side effect" but in rare occasions it causes a deadly reaction. However there are 2 reasons that this would not be the case. He was taking the drug for 15+/- days prior and showed NO signs or symptoms. Further, he had his last dose of the meds on Saturday morning, and kept going downhill through Monday night. On Monday evening, he was alert enough to soak up some petting and attention from the vet, but within 4-6 hours afterwards, his liver failed. She thinks that the meds would have started to metabolize out of his system, and further damage would not have happened because he was off the drug. It is possible, but she doesn't think it is likely.

2. The second possiblity is that he had liver problems way back in February. Unfortunately with all the tests that they ran, they did not include a liver panel, so they have nothing to compare the final tests with. She ruled liver problems out then because of his age. It is not likely that a 3.5 year old dog would have liver problems. I didn't know this but liver symptoms are sometimes shown in the urinary tract, so it is quite possible.

3. The third theory is that there could have been a combination of 2-3 things that brought about the liver failure. She gave the supposition of a urinary tract infection, a mild reaction to the extended antibiotics, and he ate something that bothered his system -- she gave the example of the straw that broke the camel's back. It wasn't any single one thing that caused the system failure, but rather one thing triggered it, and then the next thing exacerbated it.

She is doing further research this weekend to see if she can get any further clues into his death.

Thank you so much for your kinds words. Thank you so much to those who sent pm's/cards in the mail. I will respond to each of you soon! I miss my boy so much, and it helps to know that others have felt this before too. I think it is especially hard because it was so sudden, so unexpected.

[Sudilar]

Was the drug metronidazole (flagyl)?

I am so very sorry that this happened to Emerson. My heart goes out to you.
I hope they can find a reason for it.

[lizbud]

Thanks for the update. I only wish the tests results could have been
more definative. Emerson was so young. :( As the Vet said, it likely was a
combination of drugs effects on him.

[jazzcat]

Anna, I'm so saddened and shocked to read about Emerson. I'm so sorry.

Rest in Peace sweet boy.

[cyber-sibes]

I'm so sorry to hear abput Emerson, I just now saw this. That's so hard, it just doesn't seem right to loose a dog so young. He had a wonderful life with you, and quality is what counts.

He's healthy & whole again at the bridge, probably passing out those big kisses - I'm sure my Rosie is standing inline for one. :p

[anna_66]

Anna I'm sorry to hear the autoposy didn't show the exact cause of his death.
Your still in my thoughts and prayers.
(((HUGS)))
Anna

[tatsxxx11]

Oh AnnaLLL I’m so very sorry, heartbroken to hear of your beloved Emerson’s untimely passing. You and your furbabies have been a part of Pet Talk for so long, you’re like family. And being a Labby mom myself, Emerson has always held a special place in my heart. I could hardly read the words for the tears as you described your final moments together, those last, precious Labby kisses. That’s the heart of a Lab, they love and give until they can give no more. L I’m sorry that as yet there is no definitive cause for his sudden liver failure. Not knowing why makes it extra hard but it sounds like your vet is determined to try and find the cause and I hope that will happen, Anna. I send you my love and sincere, most heartfelt condolences. {{{HUGS}}}

Love, Sandra and Star