Bambi's Heart - Our Brave Little Chihuahua

Meet Bambi

Our courageous little warrior with a heart of gold

💛 Hearty Hua Hua

This is a special term we use for our beloved Bambi. She has her heart murmur, but she has always been hearty and full of life. Sometimes when she breathes, she makes a "HHH" sound, which just so happens to be the abbreviation of Hearty Hua Hua (HHH). This page is dedicated to her, and we love her so much!

🐾How Bambi Came Into Our Lives

We originally got Bambi when she was already a few years old from owners who couldn't take care of her any longer. She is the greatest gift that just fell into our lap - the best thing in our lives. Bambi went to university with us and became our very best friend. We didn't even know her breed until later on, when we discovered she's 33% chihuahua, a breed prone to heart murmurs, enlarged hearts, and other heart problems.

🐾The Heart Murmur Challenge

Bambi had a previous heart murmur rated 4/5, so spaying was advised against by our vet. Following professional medical advice, we chose not to spay her, not knowing that pyometra would become a risk we'd face. At 9 years old, this put her in a particularly concerning age range, as the risk of pyometra increases significantly with age in unspayed female dogs. This decision, made with the best intentions for her heart health, would later lead to an emergency that changed everything.

⚠️ The Emergency That Changed Everything

One Friday afternoon after work, we were taking Bambi to the vet. This would be the second day she hadn't been eating and was less energetic than usual. What we thought might be a minor illness or behavior due to old age turned out to be a life-threatening emergency.

Bambi was diagnosed with pyometra and uterine tumors, and mammary masses.

What is Pyometra?

Pyometra is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus that causes it to fill with bacteria and pus. Pyometra, a serious uterine infection in dogs, can be a precursor to developing uterine tumors, including cancer.

Link between Pyometra and Tumors:

Pyometra can create a favorable environment for uterine tumors to develop. The chronic inflammation and infection associated with pyometra can lead to changes in uterine cells, potentially increasing the risk of tumor formation.

Uterine Tumors:

These are abnormal growths of tissue in the uterus, and can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).

Mammary Tumors:

Mammary tumors in dogs, also known as breast cancer, are a common type of cancer, particularly in unspayed female dogs. These tumors appear as lumps in the mammary glands, which are located around the nipples. While some lumps are benign, others can be malignant and potentially spread to other parts of the body.

Learn More:
Cornell University - Pyometra
NCBI Research on Pyometra
VCA - Uterine Tumors
Blue Cross UK - Breast Cancer in Dogs
Cornell University - Mammary Cancer
VCA - Malignant Mammary Tumors

Bambi underwent emergency surgery that same day. Her uterus was removed and was filled with pus. There were also tumors in her mammary glands that needed additional surgery, but not all the tumors could be removed since there wouldn't be enough skin left to close her up.

This was a whirlwind of an experience. We felt so helpless, not being able to do anything else in this process. All we could do was hold her and FaceTime our grandma, who Bambi had also been a companion for, to say goodbye before handing her off to the vet tech to undergo surgery, not knowing what was going to happen to her.

💙 Why We Created This Website

We want to spread awareness about these conditions and provide the resources we wish we had before all of this happened to Bambi, as well as resources we've developed afterwards. This website is our way of sharing Bambi's journey and helping other pet parents navigate similar experiences.

"Every day with Bambi is a gift, and we're committed to making each one count."

💜 Support Our Mission

If Bambi's story and these resources have helped you, consider supporting our efforts to help more pet families navigate these challenging experiences. All resources will be available for free as long as this site is up, but your support helps us continue developing and sharing these tools.

💖 Donate

Every contribution helps us develop more resources and support other pet families

💜 Support doesn't just mean monetary donations!

Donate your time and attention - please share and forward this site to help other pet families who might need these resources.

Health Resources

Helpful information and resources for pet parents dealing with canine health challenges

🚨 Emergency Signs to Watch For

Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Excessive coughing, especially at night
Collapse or fainting episodes
Blue or pale gums
Extreme lethargy or weakness
Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours
Vomiting or diarrhea
Unusual discharge

If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately!

🛡️ Pet Insurance Guide

Comprehensive pet insurance recommendations reviewed and vetted by our sister, who is a current vet tech. We know not everyone has access to veterinary professionals in their family, so we're sharing this valuable resource.

📅 Medicine Schedule Template

A medication tracking template we developed while everything was going on during Bambi's recovery. We hope this could ease other families' tough times by helping you stay organized during difficult moments.

⚠️ Pyometra Awareness

Learn about pyometra symptoms, risk factors, and prevention. Early detection can be life-saving. Includes information from Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.

💊 Post-Surgery Care

Essential aftercare guidelines for dogs recovering from emergency surgery. Tips for monitoring healing, managing pain, and ensuring proper recovery.

💙 Heart Murmur & Enlarged Heart

Comprehensive information about heart murmurs and enlarged hearts in dogs. Learn about grades, symptoms to monitor, and how to provide the best care for dogs with heart conditions.

💚 Quality of Life Tips

Maintain regular veterinary checkups and monitoring
Create a calm, stress-free environment
Monitor weight and body condition regularly
Keep a daily log of symptoms and behavior
Ensure adequate rest and comfortable sleeping areas
Show lots of love and patience - emotional wellbeing matters too!

💜 Support Our Mission

If Bambi's story and these resources have helped you, consider supporting our efforts to help more pet families navigate these challenging experiences. All resources will be available for free as long as this site is up, but your support helps us continue developing and sharing these tools.

💖 Donate

Every contribution helps us develop more resources and support other pet families

💜 Support doesn't just mean monetary donations!

Donate your time and attention - please share and forward this site to help other pet families who might need these resources.

🛡️ Pet Insurance Guide

Why Pet Insurance Matters

After Bambi's emergency surgery, we learned firsthand how quickly veterinary bills can add up. Pet insurance gives you peace of mind and will likely pay for itself after even a single accident. Pets love us unconditionally, so we should treat them like family.

Our Recommendation: ASPCA Pet Insurance

This recommendation has been reviewed and vetted by our sister, who is a current vet tech. We know not everyone has access to veterinary professionals in their family or maybe access at all, so we're sharing this valuable resource. This isn't sponsored at all - it's what we've found and researched and what we personally use now for all of our pets. If you choose not to get ASPCA Pet Insurance, we highly recommend getting reliable and comprehensive insurance, although ASPCA also has flexible options as listed below.

ASPCA Pet Insurance Features:

Flexible Options: Choose between comprehensive pet insurance or accident-only coverage
Preventative Care Add-on: $10-15 additional coverage depending on your pet's age, breed, and other factors
Transparent Pricing: All costs are quoted before checkout - no surprises
Multi-Pet Discount: Save 10% for each additional pet (highly recommended if you have multiple pets)
Peace of Mind: Focus on your pet's health, not the financial stress

Link to ASPCA Pet Insurance: https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/pet-insurance-plan/

Remember: The best time to get pet insurance is before you need it. Bambi's emergency taught us that emergencies don't wait for convenient timing.

📅 Medicine Schedule Template

We developed this template during Bambi's recovery when everything was overwhelming. Staying organized with medications helped reduce our stress during an already difficult time. We hope this can ease other families' tough times too.

💡 Tip: Times like this are tough, and we know our brain was scrambled, so filling out this information beforehand is really helpful.
Keep one by your pet's food/medicine area for easy daily tracking!

This template is designed to help you track all the important information during your pet's recovery. The "Vet Hospital" field is for where your pet had the operation, while "Primary Vet Hospital" is where you typically go for regular visits. Pets can be sent home with multiple medications after surgery, so it's important to track each one carefully. Daily observation of behaviors like eating, drinking, energy level, and bathroom habits helps monitor recovery progress. The emergency contacts section is helpful when giving this card to whoever is taking care of your pet - whether it's for a while, a quick trip to the store, or as a backup contact for your partner.

📄 Download PDF Version

Get a printable PDF version of this medication schedule template

📥 Download PDF Template

🐾 ________________'s Medication Schedule

Date Range: _____ to _____

Vet Hospital: _______________

Veterinarian Name: _______________

Phone Number: _______________

Primary Vet Hospital: _______________

Veterinarian Name: _______________

Phone Number: _______________

📋 Daily Medication Log

Date	Morning	Afternoon	Evening	Notes
Day 1: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 2: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 3: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 4: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 5: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 6: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 7: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 8: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 9: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 10: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 11: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 12: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 13: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________
Day 14: ___/___	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	□ Med 1 □ Med 2 □ Med 3 □ Med 4 □ Med 5	___________

💊 Medication Details

Medicine 1: _________________ | Dose: _______ | Frequency: _______

Medicine 2: _________________ | Dose: _______ | Frequency: _______

Medicine 3: _________________ | Dose: _______ | Frequency: _______

Medicine 4: _________________ | Dose: _______ | Frequency: _______

Medicine 5: _________________ | Dose: _______ | Frequency: _______

📝 Daily Observation Checklist

□ Eating normally □ Drinking water □ Normal energy level

□ Normal bathroom habits □ Comfortable/not in pain

□ Incision site looks good (if applicable)

⚠️ Emergency Contact Information

Contact 1: _________________ | Phone: _______

Contact 2: _________________ | Phone: _______

Poison Control: ASPCA Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435

⚠️ Pyometra Awareness

What is Pyometra?

"Pyometra is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus that causes it to fill with bacteria and pus. Many dogs with a pyometra have vaginal discharge and may feel very sick with a poor appetite, lethargy, vomiting and sometimes increased thirst or urination."

- Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine

🚨 Warning Signs to Watch For

Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours
Lethargy or decreased energy
Increased thirst and urination
Vaginal discharge (may be pus-like or bloody)
Vomiting
Swollen or distended abdomen
Fever
Depression or unusual behavior

⚠️ If you notice any of these signs in an unspayed female dog, contact your veterinarian immediately!

Risk Factors

Age: Risk increases with age, especially in dogs over 6 years old
Intact females: Only affects unspayed female dogs
Previous heat cycles: Risk increases with each heat cycle
Hormone treatments: Certain medications can increase risk

Treatment

Pyometra is a medical emergency that typically requires immediate surgery to remove the infected uterus (ovariohysterectomy). Early detection and treatment are crucial for the best outcomes.

Prevention

The only way to completely prevent pyometra is to spay your dog before their first heat cycle. However, some dogs may have other health conditions that make spaying risky - always consult with your veterinarian about the best approach for your individual pet.

💊 Post-Surgery Care

🏠 At-Home Recovery Guidelines

Incision Care

The Elizabethan (cone) collar is recommended and might be given after the visit so that the pet won't lick at the wound or open up stitches
We personally recommend a dog surgery recovery suit, which is great since not only would it keep them from licking and opening up stitches, but could prevent infection since it provides a layer between them and the ground while they lay and recover
Check the incision site daily for signs of infection
Keep the area clean and dry
No baths until cleared by your vet

Medication Management

Give all medications exactly as prescribed - we have a medicine schedule template available to help you stay organized
Complete the full course of antibiotics
Never give human pain medications to pets

Activity Restrictions

Limit exercise to short, leashed walks
No running, jumping, or rough play
Provide a quiet, comfortable recovery space
Follow your vet's timeline for returning to normal activity

🚨 When to Call Your Vet Immediately

Incision opens up or appears infected (red, swollen, discharge)
Excessive bleeding
Vomiting or diarrhea
Loss of appetite for more than 24 hours
Difficulty breathing
Extreme lethargy or weakness
Pale gums
Any behavior that seems "not right" for your pet

Trust your instincts - you know your pet best!

💚 Supporting Emotional Recovery

Provide lots of gentle attention and comfort
Maintain familiar routines as much as possible
Create a calm, stress-free environment
Be patient - recovery takes time
Celebrate small improvements

Remember: Your love and presence are powerful healing tools too!

💙 Heart Murmur & Enlarged Heart Awareness

What is a Heart Murmur?

A heart murmur is an abnormal sound heard when listening to the heart with a stethoscope. It's caused by turbulent blood flow through the heart. Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of 1-6, with 1 being very soft and 6 being very loud. Like Bambi, many dogs can live normal lives with heart murmurs, but they require careful monitoring.

Learn More: VCA Animal Hospitals | PetMD

Understanding Heart Murmur Grades

Grade 1: Very soft murmur, only heard in quiet conditions
Grade 2: Soft murmur, but easily heard with stethoscope
Grade 3: Moderate murmur
Grade 4: Loud murmur (like Bambi's) - often requires special considerations for procedures like spaying
Grade 5: Very loud murmur
Grade 6: Extremely loud murmur that can be felt as vibration

Enlarged Heart (Cardiomegaly)

An enlarged heart often accompanies heart murmurs and occurs when the heart muscle thickens or the heart chambers dilate. This can happen when the heart has to work harder due to various conditions. Regular monitoring with echocardiograms helps track any changes.

Breeds at Higher Risk

Small breeds like Chihuahuas (like Bambi) are particularly prone to heart murmurs and enlarged hearts. Other at-risk breeds include Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Maltese, Pomeranianes, and Yorkshire Terriers.

⚠️ Signs to Monitor With Heart Conditions

Persistent coughing, especially at night or when lying down
Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing
Decreased exercise tolerance or easily becoming tired
Fainting or collapse episodes
Blue or pale gums
Restlessness or difficulty sleeping
Loss of appetite
Swollen abdomen

Any worsening of these symptoms warrants immediate veterinary attention!

💚 Living Well With Heart Conditions

Regular veterinary checkups and echocardiograms to monitor progression
Maintain a heart-healthy diet (often low-sodium)
Moderate exercise as recommended by your vet
Weight management to reduce strain on the heart
Medication compliance if prescribed
Monitor for changes in breathing, appetite, or energy levels
Consider the risks and benefits of procedures like spaying/neutering with your vet

Remember: Many dogs with heart murmurs and enlarged hearts live happy, fulfilling lives with proper care and monitoring!

💙 Bambi's Heart Journey

Bambi's 4/5 heart murmur meant that spaying carried increased risks, which led to the difficult decision that ultimately resulted in her pyometra emergency. Every heart condition is unique, and what's right for one dog may not be right for another. Work closely with your veterinarian to make the best decisions for your pet's individual situation.

💜 Support Our Mission

Help Us Help More Pet Families

If Bambi's story and these resources have helped you, consider supporting our efforts to help more pet families navigate these challenging experiences. Your support means the world to us and enables us to continue this important work.

💜 Support doesn't just mean monetary donations!

Donate your time and attention - please share and forward this site to help other pet families who might need these resources.

🎯 Our Commitment to You

All resources will be available for free as long as this site is up. We believe that access to helpful information shouldn't be limited by financial constraints, especially during already stressful times.

However, your support helps us continue developing and sharing these tools, creating new resources, and maintaining the website so it remains accessible to families who need it most.

💸 Our Experience:

Bambi's operation and care totaled around $17,000. We had preventative care through a large pet hospital, which is not the same as insurance, and we learned this the hard way. We hope guides and resources like this would help others avoid the financial shock and stress we experienced.

Fund Allocation (as of May 2025): Funds will initially go towards Bambi's ongoing recovery and care, then directly towards maintaining this site and keeping resources free. Our goal is to expand and hopefully turn Hearty Hua Hua into a fund and resource for other dogs suffering from pyometra and heart conditions as Bambi did. Fund allocations after Bambi's recovery will be posted on this site as they come in.

💙 How Your Support Helps:

Support Bambi's ongoing recovery and care
Develop new educational resources and templates
Research and vet additional pet insurance and care options
Maintain and improve the website functionality
Create more comprehensive guides for different conditions
Support other pet families through difficult times
Keep all resources completely free and accessible
Expand into a broader fund for dogs with similar conditions

❤️ Every Contribution Matters

Whether it's $5 or $50, every contribution helps us develop more resources and support other pet families during their most challenging moments. Your generosity allows us to turn our difficult experience with Hearty Hua Hua into something that can help others.

We know firsthand how overwhelming and expensive pet emergencies can be. That's why keeping these resources free is so important to us, and why your support makes such a meaningful difference.

Thank you for helping us help others 🐾

🐾 From Our Hearts to Yours

Bambi's emergency was one of the scariest experiences of our lives, but it also showed us the importance of having resources and support when you need them most. If this website has helped even one family feel more prepared or less alone during their pet's health journey, then sharing our story has been worth it.

Your support helps us continue Hearty Hua Hua's legacy of bringing comfort and help to other families facing similar challenges.