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! 

 

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I am so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful doodle and such a peaceful way for him to go to the Rainbow Bridge.

[cheryl & oliver]

I am so sorry for your loss...I am so glad that someone that loved him was with him at the end.  He went to the bridge with love to guide him...He will run and play, and be healthy and he will be there for you to see again one day...Hugs to you and your Mom, and your whole family at this sad time...Rest in Peace Sweet Ziggy.....

[Shannon and Finn]

I am so sorry for your loss.  We quickly and unexpectedly lost our 13 year old dog earlier this year although we don't know what it was that led to his passing.  We were out of town and my mom was also watching him, he was doing great when we left.  He had arthritis and was being treated for pain related to that but was otherwise healthy and had recently had a full work up at the vet.  By the time we got home he was unable to move or breathe and my husband and I had to make the decision immediately since he was suffering.  My mom was devastated and felt terrible about it, it just happened so fast and she felt helpless.  We were all heartbroken and I know exactly what you mean about an empty house.  At the time we didn't think we would ever be able to own another dog, but the house needed dog energy and love and so we decided to get Finn.  Again, so sorry to hear about Ziggy.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I'm so sorry for your loss....

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

Such a sudden loss of your dear sweet Ziggy. I am so sorry and especially for your mom.  I know he knew how loved he was by everyone.  It also sounds like he went in peace and I hope you can take comfort in that.

[Jersey, Jasmine, Jypsy and Diane]

Kristen~ So sorry to hear of Ziggy's passing. Know that you gave him a wonderful life and having your mom there at the end was the greatest gift for Ziggy that your mom could have given. Everyone should be so loved at the end of their lives. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God bless and comfort you.

[Martha & Cooper]

I am so sorry to hear this news.   Hugs from Martha and Cooper B Doodle 

[ClarkP]

Oh Kristen... what a beautiful boy you had.  I am so deeply sorry for your loss.  These wonderful dogs give us all their love and it is such a stunning loss when they are gone.  I am sending tearful hugs, blessings, and prayers your way...  /Clark

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

I am so sorry to hear that! Our thoughts are with you.

[Kimmy & Chewie]

So sorry for your loss, Kristen.

I lost my 10-year old retriever 2.5 years ago and still tear up everytime I read about someone else losing their dogs.

(To this day, I still have not finished Joanne's "Note to Starlit" blog...I read bits of it and abandon it as i become a total crying mess)

[Anne & Mr. Haley]

I am so sorry to hear of the sudden loss of your sweet Ziggy.  My heart aches for you and your family.  

[Katie and Sophie]

I am so sorry to hear about your loss of Ziggy.  It is clear that he lived his life knowing that he was very loved.  It is so very hard to lose such a big piece of your heart.  

My Cockapoo Maggie died unexpectedly of congenital heart disease.  I got her for my tenth birthday after years of begging for a dog, and she was absolutely my best friend growing up.  She died completely unexpectedly a few months before her sixth birthday.  She had just been to the vet about a week before she died and they said she was very healthy.  We didn't see it coming, and I has completely heartbroken.  She was also a very laid back dog who has bursts of energy, we just figured that this was just the way she was and never took it as a warning sign.  

I think putting together a Ziggy foundation is a wonderful idea.  Research that can be done for prevention and finding a cure would be awesome.  It would be amazing if no one had to lose their babies much too young from this ever again.  You did everything you could for Ziggy and he knew that.  Again, I am so sorry for your loss.