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! 

 

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

 

Sorry for your loss. 

 

Hugs

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Kristen - this just rips my heart out for you and your family - so tragic.  It sounds like he went to the bridge knowing that he was very loved and you did do everything that you could - I'm so so sorry.

We'll be saying our prayers for your family - I do hope that the wonderful memories you have of your Ziggy will help to bring you peace.   

[Regina and Hurley]

I am so sorry to hear that Ziggy passed away. We love our dogs so much and it's hard when they leave us. I will pray for you and your family..that you have comfort and support...
I will be thinking of you....

Regina and Hurley

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Kristen, I'm so sorry for the terrible loss you and your family are experiencing. I was just looking at your pictures and can see that you gave Ziggy a wonderful life! And I'm sure he made yours more wonderful too.  I love the pictures of him at the beach and especially the one that is just of his paw prints in the sand. I know he has left them on your hearts too.  Peace and hugs to you and your family!

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm glad your mother was able to be there to comfort him.

[Christine & Camus]

Kristen, I am so sorry for your loss. 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Kristen, I'm so sorry...you must be heartbroken.  It sounds like his passing was peaceful and he certainly must have known how much he was loved.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So incredibly sorry to read your story about Ziggy!  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!  Thank you for giving us some signs to watch for.  Just went and looked at all his photos.  He was such an adorable Doodle and I'm sure hole in your heart is large.  Know we are all here for you as you begin the heeling process!

[Lauren, Scooby and Bella]

Kristin,  I'm so very sorry to hear about your beautiful Doodle Boy, Ziggy.  He reminds me so much of my own Champ.  You must be devistated.  You did everything you could to give him every chance.    I'm sure he knew that judging from his gentle  passing. Nothing is more difficult than losing a beloved pet so unexpectedly and so quickly.  I lost my Buster like that about 5 years ago.  Keep the wonderful memories of your time with him close to your heart.  This will help you get thru this very difficult time.  I wish I could give you a hug right now.  Bless you and Ziggy.

[Pat and Traveler]

So sorry for your loss.  You made a happy home for Ziggy, and I'm so sorry he wasn't with you for a longer time.

[Valarie]

I am so sorry for the loss of your Ziggy.  We lost our Clay in exactly the same way.  He was a chow/border collie mix.  He had just had a great check up.  We had no idea he was ill.  He couldn't get up one day, we took him to the vet and he died in the clinic.  Chest xrays showed an enlarged heart.  We were expecting some joint issues or something like that as he was 14.  It was so sudden.  We still miss him very much.  My prayers are with you and your family. 

[Sally]

wow! so sorry! it's just so unbelievably terrible to have such a young sweet boy have his life cut short. I think it would be AMAZING for you to put together a foundation in Ziggy's name....when duncan was 2 (he's 3 1/2 now) they discovered he had a heart murmur (grade 2). They did a sonogram of the heart. We do annual sonograms to keep tabs on the murmur and are all hoping it stays low grade. I was told to look for signs of lethargy and coughing. Duncan pants a lot too.  These doodles are SO FULL of love. They need strong hearts!!! We must do what we can to help find a cure. 

i am so sorry again for this tragic loss.