Emma was a healthy girl, so what went so terribly wrong last week? Two months ago at her yearly physical, all her tests came back normal. She was active, doing all the things she has always done, and loved to do, but something happened. One minute she was fine, the next things started to change. This photo I took of her at our regular vet the morning she passed away. I had all the hope in the world she would be cured and coming home.
To help understand the hows and whys of what happened you need to know how Emma was. The GBGV is a breed with shorter legs and a long body. Back issues can become a problem if one isn’t careful. As Emma aged, she started seeing a chiropractor every few months. I could tell when her back was starting to need and adjustment by the way she walked, and she would not want to do stairs. She was also a real drama queen. Just a leaf in her fur, and you would think she had been seriously injured. She would expect me to remove it so she could go on. After being spayed at four years old, I had to take her back to the vet after three days because she refused to move, or walk. I thought something was terribly wrong, but the vet found nothing wrong, and basically told me Emma was a drama queen. Reading injuries/pain with Emma was a challenge.
Sunday, Emma got some wild pants on and participated in some wrestling. Shortly afterwards, I took Emma for a quick walk, and I could tell her back was bothering her. I figured something was out of place from wrestling. Often times, she would sleep for a night and be miraculously healed by morning. Monday morning, she was still in pain, so I took her to the chiropractor to be adjusted. Monday afternoon, after Emma had a nap, I took her for a short walk. She seemed to be feeling better, sniffing around, did a tail wag or two, and was moving better. It looked like she was on her way back to normal. Sometimes an adjustment took a day or so to work.
After taking Madison to her agility class Monday night, I came home to find Emma not looking so good. She did not want to get up at all. I stood her up, felt all over, moved her body around, but she didn’t seem to have any painful areas. Starting on Monday, she didn’t want to eat anymore either. I decided to take her to the vet first thing in the morning.
By the time I got to our vet in the morning, Emma didn’t want to walk at all, and was in obvious pain. She had also tossed up some dark fluid, which was most likely blood, at home. Our vet did all she could to figure out what was wrong, but couldn’t make a diagnosis. I still wasn’t worried as Emma was so healthy. Two years ago I rushed Bailie to the ER when she suddenly fell ill. They told me she wouldn’t survive the night, but she did and as a healthy dog., Emma would be fine too, right?
We were sent to the Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota for specialized care. I felt confident they would help us. X-rays and ultrasounds were done, blood work was done, and checked, but they too could not find the exact problem. By this time her vitals were quite weak and she was dehydrated.
She was admitted, and after about an hour, her vitals started to improve. I was told to let her get some rest, go home and boil some ground turkey, and come back around dinnertime to see if she would eat. I felt confident she was on the mend. Heavens, she even turned to pose for this photo. The specialist was talking about how she could possibly go home with me the next day.
A couple hours later I got the call that she was not doing well, and would most likely not make it. I could not believe it! I returned as fast as I could, and minutes after I arrived she stopped breathing, and then they started CPR. I asked them to stop as her organs were shutting down. Things were so bad, chances for recovery were far too slim to put her through any more. I held her in my arms for about five minutes as her heart slowly stopped. She was gone, but why. I spent time privately for a half hour or so before I went home.
She died of septic shock. Her stomach was full of sepsis. We don’t know how it happened, as it could be caused by so many things internally. There was a spot on her spleen that looked like a small bruise or tumor that could have burst, and there was a trail of some sort that could have been blood. It showed up on x-rays and ultrasounds. If blood from the spleen got into her stomach it could have caused the sepsis which can be super fast. But, why was she having trouble with her back legs and tail? The symptoms don’t fit together. Surgery was the only way to figure it all out but without stable vitals, no surgery. There are so many medical terms in her records that don’t make sense to me, it’s hard to understand it all.
My gut feeling is that something happened to her spleen while she was playing. Emma taught me to trust my gut and that is what my gut tells me. Even before we went to the vet, I felt like she had some type of internal injury. I didn’t want to do an autopsy, because nothing will bring her back and the thought of having her body explored bothered me. I wish I had a simple answer, but whatever it was, it was complicated. It had to be something that happened while she was wrestling around because until that point, she was fine. Would I do anything different if there was a next time? Probably not. Once it appeared to be more than back pain, I took her to the vet, and until that morning, I had no reason to believe it was more than a back issue mixed with drama queen.
Friday, her ashes came back, and I was able to pick her up and bring her home. I feel a tiny bit better having her home, but it is not the same as having the Emma I left with a week ago.
The rest of the week, we will be putting up happy posts to remember Emma. We hope you all join us.
Such a horrible turn of events and I’m glad you were able to get back to the Vet place in time to give her love and comfort. It still makes our hearts hurt too.
It just all happened so fast that last day. I’ve never experienced such a thing.
I am so sorry about your loss. Your heart breaks in a million pieces…remember all the amazing memories of Emma. Memories will help as you carry the memories in your heart. Hugs to you, Ballie and Madison. I lost a my precious Murphy 9 years ago..of a twisted stomach. It was very fast. My heart breaks for you.
Twisted stomach is so very hard too. I worked in the ER with a friend in Germany and we had a couple cases, one lived but it happened again and the second time didn’t make it. Sorry for your loss.
Our hearts just ache for you. Huge hugs♥
Oh my goodness, what a shock that must have been for you. A long illness at least gives you time to prepare your heart, but a sudden death is so shocking. So sorry. You gave Emma an amazing life.
It does help to have some warning. I never in a million years thought she would pass away last Tuesday.
I’m sorry for your loss of Emma, I had something similar happen this year with my perfectly healthy six year old Lacey. I was heart broken, I too chose not to do a biopsy, because I knew it wouldn’t bring her back. E!!a had a good life with you.
Sorry my tablet changes words i I typed Emma and it. changed it to E!!a
Silly tablets! It is just terrible. So sorry for your loss.
My heart aches for you Joy.
Thank you.
It’s just so true that we never know in life, isn’t it? We have to make the most of every day, and that’s exactly what you did with Emma. She was happy right up until that injury, and that was the best thing for her. Like Brian, I am just glad you were able to get back to the vet’s office to be there with her. I’ll forever be sad and feel guilty that I wasn’t here when Cricket passed. 🙁
If I had not made it back, I can’t even imagine how I would feel. I wondered about how you dealt with Cricket since you were gone.
what a nightmare for you… I’m so sorry … and I#m with you there is nothing what brings your Emma back…so it was the right decision you made… ;O(((
It has be a week of a nightmare that I don’t see ending, but Bailie, Madison, and I will carry on as best as we can.
Thinking of you, Joy. I’m glad you were there with her when she died. I’m sorry you don’t know for sure what happened.
I would like to know, but on the other hand, it really wouldn’t change anything. Just so sad they couldn’t figure it out in time.
My heart hurts for you, and for Bailie and Madison. Like Brian and Jan K, I am glad Emma was able to hold on until you were able to be there with you. Callie was fully septic from the lymphoma that morning we said goodbye to her. Having their ashes at home does feel a little better, but it takes time for the heart to heal. Just know that all of us who knew her – either in person or virtually – love and miss along with you and her sisters.
Thank you. I had heard of sepsis on the news in people and how deadly it can be, but never ever thought about it in my own dog. Sorry about Callie.
I feel your pain. I lost my Springer Spaniel last month. Was fine one moment, literally, then after he ate dinner, he just started going downhill, gums and tongue pale, losing control of his bowels, like the life was draining out of him. A trip to the emergency clinic and they aspirated lots of blood out of his abdomen. Likely an unknown internal cancerous mass had burst. Options: Exploratory surgery with little likelihood of survival or, if he did, maybe two extra months. At 14, not worth it to put him through that. In an instant, had to decide to put him to sleep…with nothing having prepared me. Best for him, but sucky for me. I normally get to do supportive care for my animals as they reach that age…and I didn’t get to do it for him. 🙁
Thanks for sharing your story and for being a great dog mom.
I’m so sorry for you. It is a good thing that Emma quit breathing on her own as I didn’t want to make the decision for her. It is just so hard when she was so healthy and happy up to the very end.
Gone to soon. So sudden. You knew your girl inside and out. Though not the same we are glad she is home with you. I have Maggie and Panda here with me. I have necklaces with their names on their urns and another necklace with their birthstones draped around each urn. I am sure you will personalize Emma’s urn in your own unique style. XOXO Betsy and Sparkle
We know what we are going to do, just have to get to that part, but it is too soon. Thank you for being a good friend.
You did everything right. Everything. You’re such a good pet parent that I wish I could be as attentive and focused and loving and caring as you. Emma was an awesome dog; I loved her antics, her attitude, her patience with her siblings. I can’t even begin to imagine how devastated you must be; a loss like this is felt deeply. My memories of her bring you some solace, and may the love of your four- and two-legged family envelope you as you grieve. As you said, you can’t bring Emma back, but she stays alive in the hearts of those she touched. Thank you for sharing her with us, and for sharing this last story with us.
Wags and purrs from the gang at Life with Dogs and Cats.
Thank you. One always feels like they should have done more, but what would it have been. I was blessed to have her for almost twelve years, but she is so missed, it is unbelievable.
It’s just so absurd. I agree not to do an autopsy, it would not bring her back. Somethings we never know why, we only know she is now at peace, running free with Katie and “back at home”. Tears still following for you and her. Give Madison and Bailie a hug for us.
The whole thing was so weird. I expected spinal damage or something, but not the sepsis and other problems. Nothing will bring her back to me, so I don’t really need to know. Thank you for your love of Emma.
Again ,life shows us how fragile it is. Live each day as if were the last with those we love the most.
I know Emma’s precious memories will stay etched in your heart.❤️
It is a very good reminder.
Emma’s story is the same as Dash’s story. That Sunday was normal, he showed no signs of any pain UNTIL the folks starting arriving at my house for a pot luck. He greeted the first six visitors as usual (dancing, jumping, happy tail) and as the seventh visitor arrived, I saw Dash jump and then land and then not move. I wondered if he had strained his back. I picked him up and put him on a comfy chair. He ate a treat and I told him to rest. He fell asleep. He woke up about 20 minutes later and slowly walked to me in the kitchen. He got tons of pats and rubs from my guests. I took him outside, he took care of business but lifted his leg with great care and strain. Finally at 8:00 I told my guests I had to take him to the vet. He walked in slowly but looking okay and the receptionist put him on the wait list not the emergency list. four or five animals went in ahead of him. We walked around the waiting room, walked outside and I really thought it was muscular. Then… we walked into the waiting room and he collapsed. And I screamed for help. And screamed loudly and they finally took him back. And then the vet came and told me they suspected his belly was full of blood. He was terribly dehydrated. Here is one important lesson I learned that night: I INSISTED that they bring Dash to me or let me be with him in the back. The vet HESITATED. I insisted even more fervently that he was not to be alone. They brought him to me on a gurney and as I put my arms around him, the vet said “we are losing him now.” Just like you they ran for the CPR crash cart and I had to say stop, no more. And my sweet boy put his head down. And I put my arms stronger around him. And he was gone–it was 10:30. I’m like you in how I re think the night. Is there more I could have done? I don’t think so. Is there anything I would have done differently? I don’t think so. Do I have a big gaping hole in my heart. You bet. I put Dash’s ashes in my room. Oh how I miss him. Thanks for letting me write such a long reply! My heart is with you as you mourn your sweet, funny, sometimes dramatic Emma
Thank you so much for sharing. I did not know what went wrong with him so fast. The ER Referral place was very nice and let me be with her, but I truly felt she needed to just sleep, get fluids, and I would be back a couple hours later. Even the specialist was sure they would get her stabilized with some fluids and rest. I’m just thankful she held on until I got there. I wish you lived closer, we could go for a walk with our pups, talk, and cry together. It is just so hard and man, I have goose bumps from reading what happened to Dash because it is almost exactly the same, just one day less time. I’m still so sorry for your loss and I’ve thought of you often. Hugs.
What a nightmare! Wow Joy! sepsis works fast. I am so sad for you, but like you said, you wouldn’t do it differently again and I am with you, I would have done it the same way again. Necropsys are expensive, take time, and often do not show anymore than the x-rays and other tests.
FYI: necropsy is for animals, “necro” comes from “necrotic” meaning “dead tissue.” Autopsies can only be done on humans; “auto” meaning “same” as in humans do tests on humans. Learned this when I worked at the vet hospital at the St. Louis Zoo. Before that I too thought autopsy was the correct term for anything that died. Doesn’t bring Emma back, but may help educate others about vocabulary…. and might give you a laugh – think about a gorilla being cut open and examined by an ostrich.
praying for you as you grieve your girl.
Emma had her human personality, which is why I call it an autopsy. It is just an ongoing nightmare, but I do know it will get better.
Very difficult and very tragic. It is so hard to lose a dog that quickly; when I was a teenager, we lost one to bloat – there was no treatment for that in those days. It happened so quick and seemed unreal for weeks.
I worked with a vet and we had a couple cases of bloat, it is a very nasty thing.
More hugs and love being sent your way <3
Thank you.
We had a similar dilemma when our Holly got so suddenly and desperately ill last July. The only thing our vet could figure, was a blood clots traveled to her lungs causing a pulmonary embolism and another caused a stroke. At 12 1/2, there wasn’t a reason to do an necropsy. She had hypertension and kidney disease and a smaller stroke the month before.
But still, even knowing she was a senior, and sick…we hoped for more time. We always lose them too soon.
When Katie passed away, it was tough, but I knew the time was coming, this was just such a shock.
Sometimes you do everything right and things still go wrong. I’m so sorry you lost Emma. But I know she felt very loved.
I know, but it will take time to come to grips with the loss of her.
My heart continues to ache for you as I know how much you must miss your Emma. I lost Orlando and Wyatt this summer within five weeks, both 14. Wyatt’s ending sounds so much like Emma’s as he went fast and seemed fine before. We will never know and it hurts. Emma had the best Mom she could have ever wished for and the best sisters. May you all find peace.
Losing two so close would be so terrible. I’m so sorry for you.
Such a heart-wrenching ordeal! My deepest sympathies. ♥ You did everything you could, including giving Emma a wonderful life.
Thank you. I sure did feel helpless at the end.
Thanks for sharing Emma’s story at the end. It’s so very hard and I’m sorry you had to go through that. She lived a blessed life and will be in your heart forever.
She will always be with us. I know she has already made her presence known.
I reread your tribute, cried, and then couldn’t fall asleep. I thought of you and Emma, but it also brought back all the memories and pain with BJ. He just lost weight and slowed down, but he was almost 17. We tried different food and meds. Nothing worked. I noticed the big change when I came back from BarkWorld in November. BJ was not getting stronger and not eating. In January I knew he had no quality of life and I took him to the vet and held him while we said good-bye.
Joy, you did everything you could for Emma. You loved her unconditionally, gave her a wonderful, happy life, and held her when she passed. For Emma it was time to say good-bye.
It was her time, but it is hard to accept.
We are all so heartbroken for/with you. She was such a special dog and shared so much. I’m glad you were able to make it to be with her, I can’t imagine you not.
Thank you. I got your card, so nice of you. Such a hole in our family right now, but I know it will get better.
Joy, Bailie, and Madison,
I feel your pain and sorrow all the way to Ohio. Remember all the good times. Tell the brave and funny stories, the fabulous accomplishments, the achievements. Even tell about the rare times when Emma was a teeny teeny tiny bit naughty or bossy. Remember all the wonderful amazing things that made her the Emma that we all love and mourn.
Peace be with you all,
Jane, Sawyer, and Molly
Thank you. That is what I do with my girls. We will visit places we went with Emma, do things she used to do, and I will talk to them about her. I can go through our posts, all the photos on my computer, but still, I miss having her with me.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Emma knew she was loved. What a lovely girl she was. Hugs.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry. That must have been all so shocking. Emma was such a special girl and she may be gone but she won’t be forgotten. We are thinking of you guys!
Thank you. It was totally out of the blue and that makes it so much more difficult.
I just still can’t believe this. I can’t believe it. Even in the photos Emma looks good……it is so difficult to understand and if it is for ME, I can only imagine how you feel. I also am glad you made it back to the Vet in time…..but who would have ever thought that would happen. For some reason God needed another Angel…..I come to your blog and will always expect to see Emma, it’s just how it is. We loved her so much. (((hugs))) and love.
Her furs were a mess that day which wasn’t normal, and when I carried her, she flopped in my arms like a rag doll. She was not her usual self at all, but she kept trying. The rest of the week will be happy memories of Emma, and next week Madison will take over with help from Bailie. Emma would want that. We can’t stay sad, as she was such a happy girl.
Sending comforting thoughts.
Thank you.
OMG, what a horrible story. I wish you all the best!
Thank you. It is even more horrible when you are in the story.
This is so sad and heartbreaking. Everyone founf joy with Emma and I know she will be missed. It’s quite a shock that she’s gone. Her story does make me think of hemangiosarcoma. RIP Emma <3
Oh my, I am so sorry about the freakishly incomprehensible series of events that took Emma from you. It is even harder when you cannot answer “why”. Thank you for sharing this post with all of us who care about Emma and you. Sending you lots of love in this time of grief. I’ve been off the grid which is why I’ve been absent.
That’s okay. We tried going off the grid, but it made me uneasy, so we came back. Hope your pup is doing better after the surgery.
Joy, I am so sorry that is devastating and I am really having a hard time trying to understand that Emma is not here. I saw her doctor visit and was so happy she was healthy so she would be blogging for a long while. I saw her last Nose Work and how happy she was that she did well and was looking forward to the one coming up. I have been with Emma since close to the beginning. I answered one that I was the only comment. Emma was fun, and so special to read and watch, i loved them all. She was always the first one i read. My phone was acting up and i couldn’t answer but i read them. I know how horrible that is, it’s what happened with Lexie. We had a woods walk on Sunday and she was fine and having a great time. She came home tired as usual, ate dinner and went to sleep. The next morning she had her mouth wide open and trying to breath and making a horrible sound. We talked to the vet, he told us to go straight to the hospital and they would be ready for her. John asked them to give her something to make her more comfortable and they took her into a room. She was scared and looked back at John, he told her it would be Ok since we thought it would. They to be d John to hold home, she was doing better and he could get her tomorrow. Tomorrow they called to say she was better then 2 hrs. Later they called to say she was gone. We have no idea what went wrong and neither did the hospital.
I can’t come to terms with Emma, she can’t be gone she was fine I will always look for her to blog. I loved her so much. When you came to Toledo for Nosework I would have driven the 5 hours to see you but you left too soon. I have been determined next time you were close I was coming. I wanted to meet Emma more than anything she just can’t be gone. I loved how well you worked together and how much she loved to be with you. I am so glad you got back in time. Please excuse me when i answer Emma it’s going to take me a long time to believe she’s not still writing, dressing up, cooking, etc. My love goes out to you because it’s going to be unbelievable difficult to get up and blog for Emma. My blog fell apart when i lost Lexie. I hope Bailey and Madison are doing Ok without her there. Mica basically just laid in the hall wouldn’t eat would play just was giving up. I finally got her to take woods walks but when she got to the water there was no one to play with. The new normal is going to be very different so go 1 day at a time. I send my love to help you a little with moving ahead.
Thank you so much. I know it was devastating when you lost Lexie, and after that you did kind of stop blogging. I’m still in disbelief that my girl is gone. Trying to put together posts this week and not being able to take more photos of her kills me. She was such a happy girl until the end. I knew she was very sick because she didn’t even mind being at the vet, or in the ER. She too started making awful noises during her last day. I blame myself, then I blame her, but in the end, there is no blame. For some reason it was her time to go, and I hate it so very much. Bailie and Madison are fine as they are so close and didn’t interact much with Emma anymore. I tried to stay away from the blog, but it made me feel worse. The girls and I will carry on, and Emma would want us to. It will be different, yet the same. We had so many plans starting with a three day scent work trip to SD this weekend, just me and Emma, but all that is gone. She loved to model, she loved mommy and me anything, but most of all she loved her nose work. I will dearly miss competing and practicing with her. There are no words to express how I feel, but I have to go on. Thank you for being such a wonderful internet friend for so long, and hug your pups.
I am so very sorry you went through this. Losing a healthy dog is hard enough but losing a healthy dog to sepsis, unfathomable. Thank you for sharing the story. Alas I just in good conscious ‘like’ the post. I’ll miss seeing Emma’s sweet face posing in your kitchen. ?
That is probably the hardest thing for my mom to get over when it comes to the blog. She had so much fun baking and cooking with Chef Emma.
HuMom sends hugs?
GG sends ????
Dot & Jerry Underfoot send ?gentle head butts?
Q & I send ?gentle nose nudges ?
Thank you. It is a very tough time around our house.