heart disease in shih tzu's

[slws]

Two months ago my lil man passed away. It was out of the blue and a complete shock. The vet I went to had 6 vets and all but 1 I trusted. He was as stated from the drs epitamy of health and if they didn't know he was 12 they wouldn't believe it, as he looked and acted like a 4-5 yr old. I took the very best care of him and spared no expense. He went for the normal yearly exam every year however it averaged 6-8 times a year because I thought he might be not feeling up to par. As all parents we tend to be worry warts. Every test and vaccine he had heartworm, fleas, ticks, skeeters, lyme, and of course to get the shots for most you need tests first. I did it all. Knowing that benign tumors are so common and nothing to worry about didn't stop me from more than one emergency after hour visits that had the drs, looking at me like I am a nut case. But no matter because I could rest at ease. A few years before he passed, I had him in multiple times for weight gain, and lack of energy, and then it was a cough that was something new. I was told not to worry, it was just a cough and nothing to worry after I literally mimicked the sound to the dr without hesitation, and was told to continue to get his weight down a pound or two. I tried everything from organic, the blue food, and eventually they said to try lean beef and rice. Nope didn't work. I knew something was not right. Throughout this entire time he was a lil accident prone and tore his eye and pulled a muscle and had his allergies and his disposition was unbelievable to the drs. Even while they had to put a test strip on his torn eye and they had three drs holding him down much to my dismay he just sat there and allowed it without any resistance. They said they had never seen a shih tzu act like that. But he never ever barked yipped nipped  bit or even gave resistance to any of them, because he knew mommy would not have him there if I didn't think he needed to be there. His eye alone had him to and from the office every other day for six weeks and it paid off he didn't lose his eye, and they were quite positive he would. I knew he wouldn't if I could help it. Throughout all of those visits and the routine and my reminders of what tests and vaccines I needed to schedule and a yearly visit 9 mos prior to him passing not once did they find any problems. Seriously I had the one dr I refused to ever see again roll her eyes at me and say it is plain to see how much you really really love your dog. You bring him in needlessly and quite often. when I told her to run a cbc and I wanted a thyroid test done, because that might be why he was gaining weight and less active. In the end I realized that she didn't address his ear issue I thought he had an infection. She hastily looked quickly and said I don't see anything, and I said well none the less I want a test taken. Well mommy was right he had an infection. She then said well just give him medicine you should still have, and I told her I threw it out because it was expired, and she said "you did" well I'll give him a new bottle and said it is ok to keep medicine for future use. I told her to save her breathe and I will just keep getting a new script. Well after a nearly 600 dollar bill I waited for the test results for two weeks as she said it had to get sent out of state. It was normal and had been back for over a week but she didn't care to call. I brought my lil man in two hours early on oct. 9 13, because his breathing which had only just started the day before had gotten so bad I couldn't wait. I did forget to mention  that not even 3 full weeks earlier he was in for a pulled muscle from falling off my daughters bed when she went to pick him up and tripped and NO problems. After a chest exam she comes and tells me as showing me his xrays that his heart is 3 ribs too big and has a lot of fluid around his heart. I asked if I brought him in yesterday if it would have happened and was told it has been happening over quite a while. I didn't know the extent of the problem and was given a nearly 500 dollar bill and four meds later and thought that it was as always and he'd be good as new, only I was wrong, because I did give him the meds actually forced him to take them cuz he wouldn't eat or drink and I just kept telling him mommy has to give him the meds so he will get better. the following morning after his meds I picked him up to hold him and sang my usual You are my sunshine and I can't take my eyes off of you and giving him kisses when he started to seem like he was getting sick and I sat him on the couch and he did throw up an acidy fluid. I patted his back and said good job honey that means you are getting better. His head drooped down and I picked him up and his head kept falling forward but he made it to my left shoulder and kept it there. Only something didn't seem right to me and as he breathed slowly I just shook him a lil and said his name and then he just started breathing really hard 6-7 times and stopped breathing. He was gone and I was on  the floor screaming. I called the dr and they said it is common in shih tzus and just isn't noticable. I don't understand this cuz I now know the symptoms he had and I brought him in for are signs. The swelling was causing the weight  gain, and his lack of energy and diet didn't help lose weight and mostly the coughing they  said was just normal. I feel so horrible and sad and not having clear answers hurts so much. Please let me know if the drs were right and he didn't suffer for the few years I noticed and tried fixing what I felt was wrong or if it was so sudden he didn't suffer but for the two days he lasted. I just feel that I let him down and he just couldn't understand why like every other time mommy didn't seem to care.

[slws]

Thank you so much. So many things go through our heads and accepting things is so hard and I sure hope my guilt will subside soon. I appreciate you taking time to comfort me. Merry Christmas and a happy new year. May your 2014 be all you hope and more.

[Margot49]

Oh, I am so sorry you lost your precious little dog.
My gosh, you cannot possibly feel you did not take the best care possible if this little dog!!
As for the weight, could have been a hypothyroid condition but, with all that was done at the Vet's, I am sure they would have picked up on that.
At 12, he was getting up there in age and, like the rest of us, bodies start to age.
Can't judge what your Vet did or did not do fir the heart issue.  I doubt he was suffering for any length of time.  You and the Vet would have seen signs of that.
This little dog was sure lucky to have you for a Mom!!  What better place to pass than in your loving arms.
Hugs to you.