Yesterday, my family found out that our 2 1/2 year old Shetland Sheepdog, Mercedez, is in the advanced stages of heart disease. We have medicine for her that might slow it down, but she's been given at most 6 more months to live. Her heart's apparently about twice as large as it should be and surrounded by fluid. We didn't expect to have to brace for her passing so soon... It's so sudden. She might make the six months, and I'm hoping for that, but all I can think about is how next year she'll probably not be with us anymore. Not only that, but I'm worried how our other sheltie, Mac, will react, seeing as they were raised together.

This will be the first time I've ever gone through this with one of my own pets; I feel like I've been kicked in the stomach. People tell you it hurts, but you never really know until it happens to you... I keep hoping the vet is wrong and that she'll live for at least three more years. It's just too early to have to say goodbye. I want to enjoy the time we have left with her, but every time I see her, all I can think of is how sick she is. At least right now she's not in any pain and is relatively happy..

My friends don't really get what a big blow this is, so I turned to this site. Any words of wisdom to one who's never been through the full pain of pet lost on how to handle this would be most welcome. And please, if you ever have a moment and it crosses your mind, say a brief prayer for my puppy. I just want her to be happy, no matter what happens.

Thank you for reading,

Sam Ouellette

Dear Sam

Mercedes is beautiful, thanks for letting us see her.
I am so sorry that you have had this diagnosis for your precious fur baby. I think that maybe I would get a second opinion from a different vet practise , as we have had vets make mistakes with diagnosis/prognosis in the past with many of our dear doggie companions. It may be good news or may confirm, but it might put your mind at rest so that you can enjoy all your time with Mercedes. We never know when how long we are going to be blessed by the companionship of our fur/feather companions, and with this in mind we should treasure every moment with them. My Tasha was blind and very ill with diabetes at the age of 7 (two vets failed to diagnose it and by the time they agreed with us that it was diabetes, she had sadly lost her sight), but we went on to have another 7 good years together.

Please know that you and your darling Mercedes are in my thoughts and prayers.

Hugs
Jan and my Angels and Pixie x

Aw, what a beautiful pup, I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. Jan has offered some good advice. Also, read up anything you can about the condition -- you may find some suppliments, dietry advice etc. In the meantime, enjoy every minute you have with her. She looks so loved and well-cared for, so just continue to do what you're doing. She was most certaintly be in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how she is getting on.

Take care,
Cheryl x

Hi, Sam, please permit me to add my sincerest sympathies in this very sad time for you and your precious Mercedez. Anticipatory Grief is very painful because we know our earthly journey with our beloved companion is now limited. The adage "where there's life there's hope" clings to our hearts and very fiber of our being as we hope and pray that somehow a miracle will happen that will keep our precious companion with us longer. It doesn't matter if it's one week, one month, one year, five years, or 50 years - - the reality is that the earthly journey we share with our beloved companions is never ever long enough. We will always want just one more minute, one more day, one more month - - one more life time.

Both Jan and Cheryl have given you very wise advice - - second opinions are always helpful and doing research on your Mecedez diagnosis and nutrition may help you to find ways to keep her happy and comfortable - - beyond the vet's professional prognosis, and I bet this would please him, too.

Sam, please believe me when I say that everyone here in this wonderful forum "gets" what you are going through, and we are here for you with every step of this journey you and Mercedez are now sharing. I hope you will find our individual and collective support and encouragement a source of comfort and hope to you.

Please know you and your precious Mecedez and Mac are in my thoughts and prayers, Sam, and please do let us know how things are going.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Is it congestive heart failure? If so, that seems awfully young. My girl died of congestive heart failure that she suffered from for about 6 months before she died...at the age of 14. 3 days before Christmas. They had her on heart meds, spiro and lasix as needed as if affected her breathing. The others are right, look more into this. And regardless, cherish every day.

You came to the right place. The people on this site LOVE animals and make a world of difference when you feel all alone.

Hugs,

Christie

Thanks for your comments, everyone; when I posted I was a little afraid this topic would be overlooked, since it's happened to me in the past. I feel a lot better than I did last Tuesday, part of it is my adjusting to the shock and another is reading your replies, I really appreciate it.

I did do some reading up on it (only a little but I'll be doing more). It's congenital heart disease, so it's a genetic problem. I was told that it's not uncommon for dogs to be diagnosed with congenital very young. When we first got her, she had a heart murmur, but I didn't really understand just how serious that could be. We were also told there was a slight chance that it would go away, obviously it hasn't. But when you find out something like that about your new puppy, it's not like you could take it back to the breeder for a healthy one - you've already bonded. And besides, she probably would've been put to sleep and never would have had the chance to experience having a home and family. It was a bit scary even before the diagnosis; when I hug her, I can feel her heart beating erratically and you really can tell that it's enlarged, you don't have to be a vet to know that something's not right.

But I've found some hope in the past few days; the medicine seems to be helping, her breathing is normal like it should be, she's eating well and she still loves to play fetch. I brush her more often because she loves it and it really calms her down (she's such a girly dog!). We've cut down on how much excitement she has so as not to stress her out and this week I'm going to look up things that might help outside of the medication, like you suggested. Every once in a while, that heart-wrenching fear comes back, but I'm having an easier time distracting myself from it... And I'm glad for that; I really want to spend time with her, and be happy, not sad.

Thank you all for your time. Throughout the course of all this, I'll probably be back to reread your posts for the support. It's nice to know that there are people out there willing to take time to give a few kind words to some person or persons who desperately need it, even if they're strangers. Just the fact that this site exists makes me feel a little better.

Again, thank you!

Sam Ouellette

Hello again,

Thanks for the update. I'm so pleased to hear that she is responding well to the medicine -- and so very glad to hear that she's eating, and still playing, and still enjoying being groomed

I will continue to keep you both in my thoughts and prayers. Please keep us informed whenever possible.

Take care,
Cheryl xx

Hi, Sam, adding my thanks to Cheryl's for letting us know how things are going. I can so relate to your shock about your precious Mercedez diagnosis, as I went through similar "shocks" with three of my now angel furkids in a very short period of time. One of them was when my Oslo was diagnosed with Laryngeal Paralysis. I had never experienced that before, and I was totally out of my league. There was no medication to help him with this diagnosis. As I read information on the internet I saw surgery was an option, but my Oslo was a senior citizen and had other health issues. I consulted with the veterinarian at his Alma Mater (Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown Heights, NY) who helped me work through the shock so that I could make some kind of an "informed" decision, and I decided to not subject my handsome man to the grueling shock and recovery of surgery. And as time went on, I was so o o o glad I made that decision, and ever so thankful to his vets - - both his primary care physician and the vet at Guiding Eyes for the Blind who gave me a second opinion - - for helping me. Oslo and I had three good quality years together, and I am hoping and praying that you and your precious Mercedez will also have many many many many MANY good quality years together.

I do understand what you mean when you say "Every once in a while, that heart-wrenching fear comes back, . . . " Our earthly journey with our beloved companions is never ever long enough, and I know you would move heaven and earth, and walk through flowing lava or over hot burning coals to give your precious Mercedez a healthy, happy life. I am so glad you once again have hope in your heart, Sam, and that your precious Mercedez has you for her loving caregiver.

Thank you so much for sharing a picture of your precious girl with us. You are no longer a stranger, Sam, for each of us are united in friendship through the best introduction we could ever have - - through our beloved companions. Although we may not "know" each other in person, I assure you our friendship is as strong, if not more so, as though we were living next door to each other. Please know you and your precious Mercedez are in my thoughts and prayers, Sam, and I will look forward to knowing how things are going for you and your precious Mercedez whenever possible.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam