In this video, I’m sharing Willow’s story—because what started as a cough that I honestly thought was an upper respiratory infection turned out to be heart failure. I walk you through everything from the very beginning: noticing her coughing more during a dusty move, trying antibiotics first, and then the terrifying moment when she stopped coming out for pellets, became lethargic, and dropped weight fast. She was diagnosed with GI stasis, and I stayed home with her for two days straight doing critical care, probiotics, and supportive care until she finally started eating again. Even after she recovered from stasis, her breathing never fully improved, so I found an experienced exotic vet and we pushed for answers. The X-ray showed her heart was surrounded by fluid—her heart wasn’t even visible—and that’s when I was told Willow was in heart failure. I explain what heart failure is, why it can look just like a URI, the symptoms to watch for (labored breathing, crackling sounds, lethargy, weight loss, pale gums, cold feet/ears), and what diagnosis and treatment can look like. Willow was put on lifelong meds (enalapril and furosemide), and I also share supportive tips like keeping them warmer, adding cozy items, and limiting movement so their heart isn’t working overtime.