Alaskan Malamute - Confusing Illness Symptoms - She Didnt Make It :(

[Maly]

Thank you everybody for your thoughts and condolences... I'm missing her so much right now! she helped me through some of the lowest times of my life and all she asked for in return was a pat and my love...

I went to the vets this morning to get the blood test results - i needed to know what happened. It turns out that it was a kidney infection which had resulted in pacreatitis and acute renal failure. Some of her enzymes were through the roof... she had a serious infection. I'm a microbiologist by trade and i cultured a urine sample the other day - i only got the results today - normal value should be 0cfu/100ml and she had 111,000cfu/100mL. The vet said there was no way of detecting it or knowing how severe it was as she wasnt exhibiting many symptoms until she got the bloat - the vet believes the bloat may have been secondary to the pancreas failing. If she had survived her quality of life wouldnt have been what it was - she would have been on a low/no protein diet and may have had kidney damage and potential neurological damage from the toxins. I find comfort in the fact that she isnt in pain, that she left me at a point in her life where she still had quality of life, and that she didnt have to get older and suffer from any old age related problems and then be in a situation where i had to make the decision that it was time for her to leave me... I just wish she was with me and well...

Does anybody know of any Malamute specific poetry anywhere?

I found a nice poem online which is so true:

My Faithful Dog

I turn and I feel she sits

As usual, by my side,

My faithful devoted friend

For me, she'll never die.

For I'll ever hear her gentle breathing

Her step upon the stair,

My heart will never lose the image

Of all her loving care.

If I hear a rustle in the garden

I still see her lunging at the chase,

That convoluted wagging tail

Tearing out the gate.

For a scent upon the wind

Is hiding in the trees,

Dog will sniff it out as usual

A crunchy treat to seize.

She knew if I felt alone

When friends had gone once more,

She'd rest his chin upon my knee

Her tail thumping on the floor.

When it was time to check the mail

My dog, obedient 'stayed'

But she knew when she was allowed

To walk on sunny days.

When I got all dressed up

With things I had to do,

She'd lay sadly at the door

My loyal dog so true.

Maybe she didn't win a medal

For a coat that I could show,

But she sure stole my heart

This.... is all I know.

[wolfgirl]

I'm so sorry to hear your very sad news :cool: RIP Beautiful girl

This was sent to me when I lost my Mal in my Avatar

From the Malamute Obituary Page

I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep, I could see that you were crying, you found it hard to sleep. I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, "its me, I havent left you,I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here... I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times your hand reached down to me.. I was with you at the shops today, your arms were getting sore, I longed to take your parcel, I wished I could do more. I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care, I want to reassure you that Im not lying there. I walked with you toward the house as you fumbled for your key, I gently put my paw on you ,I smiled and said "its me"! You looked so very tired and sank into your chair, I tried sohard to let you know that I was standing there. Its possible for me to be so near you every day, To say to you with certainly "I never went away"! You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew...in the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you..... The day is over...........I smile and watch you yawning, and say "goodnight, God Bless, I'll see you in the morrning"! And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I'll rush across to greet you and we will stand side by side. I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see, Be patient, live your journey out, then come home, to be with me..........! AUTHOR UNKNOWN

[Flaves]

Hello,

I just wanted to give everybody an update - my beautiful Maly passed away today at 4:00pm aged 13 years.

The vet believes it was a cardiac arrest associated with a kidney infection... i just finished burying my best friend

:cool: RIP beautiful girl

I am so very sorry to read this.

[InspectorRex]

RIP beautiful one

[ninahartland]

So sorry Maly

crying my eyes out while reading all the posts

R I P

[perrin]

I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounded likea lovely girl.

[Maly]

Thank you everyone so much for all of your thoughts and condolences - it's 4 days on and my heart still aches but she is resting now and no longer in pain. She doesn't have to get older and suffer from anything that comes with older age-she went at a point in her life when she still had quality of life. The vet said she didnt suffer, that she would have felt like she had a bad hangover... i'm so thankful that i had her in my life... she has left a huge footprint on my heart.

I went for a walk through the park last night and came across a beautiful big four year old Maly boy... i explained to the owner what happened to my girl and we had a good chat which helped me to reminicise on my girls attributes, qualities and personality... they're such a beautiful breed and i'm truly thankful for having had my girl in my life.