My sweet Ziggy Bear has passed away from sudden heart disease

[Kristen and Ziggy!]

Hello, I just wanted to inform everyone that my sweet ZIggy unfortunately 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 Dilated Cardiomiopathy which is genetic and kicks in as soon as they are born. His valves were super dilated 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. Then a couple weeks later, Ziggy died very peacefully in his sleep one afternoon while my mom was watching him. She said that he let out his usual 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. My fiance and future father in law buried ZIggy in a beautiful pasture on my in-laws land and we ordered him a beautiful headstone and I plan to plant him some flowers once the ground settles. My heart aches everyday for him.

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 possibly putting together a Ziggy Foundation to help raise money for research on prevention and CURE! Unfortunately 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! Its near Willow Lawn right off of Broad by the Arby's.

I hope that one day we can find a cure or prevention or something for this because 3 years was not nearly enough time with my sweet darling doodle bear.

[Katie Cole]

Kristen, my heart goes out to you - poor Ziggy! But I know he had a rich, wonderful life with you during those 3 years you were together. It's probably not of much use to you so soon after the loss but you'll find loads of pet grieving information on the web - such as, "Intense grief over the loss of a pet is normal and natural. Don't let anyone tell you that it's silly, crazy, or overly sentimental to grieve!"  Wishing you comfort for the hole in your heart, Katie - Mason & Dixon

 

[Erin Harnage]

I struggle to find words for you. I am a new doodle mom and just can't imagine losing her. I lost one of my pups a few months ago but after having 12 wonderful years with her. It still broke my heart. Thank you for sharing your information. My thoughts are with you. Wish I had words that would ease your pain.

[Donna, Tony, Oliver,Henry & Joey]

I am so sorry for your loss.  What a beautiful tribute!  Thank you for sharing this important information in your time of grief.  Thoughts and prayers are with you.  Donna

[Tilly and Gertie]

Oh Kristen, I'm so sorry to hear about your sweet Ziggy.  He clearly loved a life filled with love and happiness.  We would love to help with the Ziggy Foundation so please keep us informed and let us know how we can help.  Peace to you and your family, Asha, Michael, Sladen, Gertie and Tilly.

[Joy Williams]

Kristen, I am so sorry to hear this about Ziggy. I cannot even imagine what you are going through. But thank you for posting all of the info including how he was really laid back, but would have quick bursts of energy. That has opened my eyes about Morgan as she does the same thing, as well as pants a lot. Maddie is always trying to get her to play, but Morgan has gotten to where she is not interested in playing that much until Maddie provokes her enough! But Morgan has always been the one to get tired quickly while on walks and will just stop and sit down and look at you. I will definitely be taking her to the Vet to get checked. Is this something that an x-ray will show?

My heart is aching for you and I will be thinking of you and your fiance. But it is obvious that Ziggy was well loved during his 3 years with you.

[Kristen and Ziggy!]

A chest xray showed Ziggy's enlarged heart but we had to go to a Cardiologist at Dogwood at Libbie and Broad, amazing place, to have an echocardiogram done to really see what was happening. I would call them if you are concerned, they are great and the staff and facilities are top notch! Good luck! It's a pretty fluke thing but in my opinion, it never hurts to have it checked out! Keep me posted and thank you for your kind words

[Jenn Haynes]

I'm so sorry for your loss, there are no words.

[Michele MacPhee]

Kristen, I am so very sorry for your loss. Your beautiful tribute brought tears to my eyes. I know the pain of the loss of a beloved pet. It is the loss of a member of the family.

[Kristen and Ziggy!]

SO its been a terrible time of grieving and our lives have felt so empty so we decided to get another doodle : ) He will NEVER replace my Ziggy Bear but he does help the hole in my heart. I have to keep reminding myself to stop expecting him to be like ZIggy, because no dog will ever be like him. He is quite the little hellian, but hey, at least he keeps us occupied~! I carry my ZIggy's collar with me everywhere that I go so that he is always with me. So anyways, meet Bear! Named after my ZIggy Bear. He just turned 3 months the other day and is growing so much right in front of our eyes! Now we just need to get this potty training thing figured out~!!

[Angela Killion]

Oh he's gorgeous! What a sweetie!

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

Kristen, I just saw your post about Ziggy and I cannot express how very very sorry I am for your loss. I know you and your family are heartbroken. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Bless precious Ziggy and all the smiles and love he gave to every human he met during his short time on earth. <3

[Deb, Connor & Simon]

...and now I just saw you have a new puppy. He is just adorable! :-)