My Black Labby, Emerson

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 :(

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

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}}

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

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

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)))

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!

Oh my, poor Emerson. He was too young.

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

RIP Emerson :(

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.

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

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.

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....

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.

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.

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.