My sweet Ziggy has passed away from Heart Disease

[Kristen and Ziggy!]

Hello, I just wanted to inform everyone that my sweet ZIggy unfortunatley passed away last week. About a month ago, he was being treated for "kennel cough" which in turn was actually congestive heart failure. When his "kennel cough" got worse 2 nights later, we rushed him to the VEC where they took chest x-rays expecting to find pneumonia and in turn they found a severely enlarged heart and fluid filled lungs. Ziggy was put on oxygen and iv's where they administered multiple heart medications and then we were transferred to Dogwood Emergency Center where we saw a cardiologist. The echo revealed that he was suffering from Dialated Cardiomiopathy which is genetic and kicks in as soon as they are born. His valves were super dialted and barely functioning. He was hospitalized for a couple days and then we had him on all the necessary, expensive medicines and he was doing great! We were told that with his case of heart disease, it could be weeks but generally we were looking at 6 to 9 months left of his precious life. Worst 48 hours of my life. Ziggy died very peacefully in his sleep one afternoon while my mom was watching him. She said that he let out his dreaming squeaks and my Mom tried to wake him from his dream, but could not get him to respond to her. He just kept dreaming away not making any noise. She got down on the ground, put his head in her hands, felt his fluttering heart, and then stroked his head and told him how much we all loved him. It was then that he opened his eyes and looked at her, as if to say "i love you too" and then went back to sleep but to never wake again. This has been the hardest week of our lives. The house feels empty. 

I am curious if anyone else you know has had a doodle suffer from congenital heart disease? Ziggy never showed any signs, and they said they usually don't until their first bout of heart failure. He did pant A LOT but our vet always attributed it to all of his fur and that he was just a "hot" dog. He also was very laid back and had bouts of energy bursts, then he was just done playing. You don't really realize that these could be warning signs so I just wanted to share so that we could spread awareness.

I am interested in putting together a Ziggy Foundation to help raise money for research on prevention and CURE! Unfortunatly there is no cure at this point, trust me I asked everyone and everywhere. I would have done anything to save that dog but we did everything we could with all of the medicines. The Dogwood Veterinary staff/atmosphere/ technology/everything was marvelous and I highly recommend it to everyone! 

 

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Kristen my heart aches for you, and am very sorry for you loss. I went to your page and looked at all the pictures of your sweet boy and can tell he had a very happy and loved fill life.

Please know that I am sending healing thoughts to you and your family.

What a wonderful idea to start a Foundation, good luck. Thank you for the signs, I sometimes worry about how long our Daisy takes to settle after a good run or playtime. I wonder are there tests or even other signs. Like you, I have asked the Vet many times about this and get the same answer.

[Jennifer]

I am so very sorry for your loss. (((HUGS)))

[Adrianne Matzkin]

  God of all creatures, ease our grief today as we bid farewell to Ziggy, whose

passing leaves a gap in our family circle. He demanded so little of us – fresh

water, food, a patch of sunlight for sun-bathing, our presence – and gave so

much in return – uncritical, undemanding, unlimited affection and devotion for

all of us.　

 

  Greeting each day, each moment, happily on its own terms, he showed us how to

live in the present rather than regret the past or worry about the future. His

easy forgiveness of our flaws, his inability to hold a grudge, gave us an

example of grace.　

 

  Creator, we are grateful for being allowed to share his life for our allotted

time. We will miss him bounding through our family life, but he will always be

present in our hearts.　

 

  Amen.

Kristen,

I am truly so sadden to hear that Ziggy went to the Bridge. It was much too soon!! We are sending you hugs!  I am grateful that your Mom went with her heart and laid with Ziggy as he went to sleep. It had to have been very comforting for him to have her arms around him. Bless your Mom for not flipping out and just going with her Mommy's instinct. It couldn't have been easy for her. Please give her a tight hug from us!

So hard as this was for you to post, I thank you for sharing his story. Samantha also is a heavy breather. I am adding this to the list of things that our vet will have to check her for.  

[Lisa, Daisy & Dexter]

Adrianne, this is beautiful, thanks for sharing it. I often have looked for this prayer when friends have lost their precious babies and could never find.

[Sharon & Monty]

This is terrible news.  I'm so sorry your boy has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, much too young.  Take care.

[Denise & Hunter!!!]

You will be in my prayers, what a wonderful way to memorialize Ziggy than with a foundation.  I am so sorry for your loss.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I'm so sorry for your loss Kristen, I cried when I read your blog.  One of my Shih Tzu's had congestive heart failure, she had a heart mermur (sp) then her coindition got so much worse but she was 15 yrs old.  She started hacking.. the only way to describe the sound she would make.  The vet had her on meds and we hoped for the best, she did not improve in 2 wks time so I had to put her to rest.  It was extremely difficult but I did not want her to suffer any more at the age of 15.  She always had a heart mermur but the vet said there was nothing to do for it.  My Calla Lilly lived a good long life :)  

[Sequoia & Dudley]

I am so, so sad for your loss, Kristen. I know what a huge hole appears in one's heart when a beloved pet friend has died. The unexpectedness of this is a major blow, I know. What a sweet moment between him and your mom.  I have a feeling he will keep communicating with you for a while - in unexpected moments and ways.  Alas, I have no knowledge about congenital heart disease in doodles. Take care of yourself. You and Ziggy are in my heart.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

I am so terribly sorry that you lost Ziggy. I pray for peace and healing of the holes in your hearts.

[Adina P]

I'm sorry for your loss of Ziggy.

[Sue & Willy Babe]

 So very sad to hear about Ziggy, Wilson and I send lots of hugs your way.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

I am so so sorry for your loss.  Thinking of you today.