[gsdcentral]

A couple came into the clinic today with a beautiful 4 mo gsd puppy. She's not eating and has been throwing up. so far no diarrhea. They don't have money to treat her until they get paid Friday (this is not a solicitation for money). I gave them some suggestions to treat her at home until they can bring her in. I told them to try chicken soup, give her pedialyte and Little Tummies Nausea Relief. She has not had diarrhea, in fact hasn't had a BM at all in a couple of days. I told the woman that I would ask around to see if anyone has any other ideas on what to try to keep her going. We don't know for sure it's parvo, but that is a probability and it is the season. we've already seen one positive case, older puppy and it pulled through, but we just had one come in Friday that had all the classic signs but tested negative and it died at the clinic.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

See if there is anything in this thread for them:
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=659301&page=1#Post659301

Could the puppy have a blockage or that...what...intucessetion...I don't know the right word or even what it is about-just weird about the BMs.

I know people don't want to overvaccinate, but it seems like there shouldn't be this much parvo.

 

[doggiedad]

call them back, give the dog the proper medical care and let them pay you later.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Yes, is there Care Credit available? http://www.carecredit.com

 

[gsdcentral]

Well the care is not up to me. The vet wasn't there yet when they came in but these people are new clients (only came to us because the one they went to had been robbed last night so was referred to us). He's afraid of being stiffed. Also, despite repeated efforts to get the boss to sign up for Care Credit, he has not, so that is not an option. The woman works at the hospital so she has medical knowledge

 

[gsdcentral]

Oh and the 3 pups that have come in with suspected or positive parvo had not been vaccinated at all. The older pup was probably 11 mos and was positive but not run down and only had one or two bouts of bloody diarrhea after being admitted (not before). The one that died was 3 mos, supposedly had shots before these people got it but probably didn't. This pup, the GSD, has had no shots, and she's 4 mos. Not so much a matter of not overvaccinating rather than not knowing to vaccinate or not wanting to spend the money until the dog gets sick. The siblings of the one that died came today for shots.

 

[gsdcentral]

I'll call the owner tomorrow and see how the pup is doing and all that. I only have her work number.

 

[djpohn]

Parvaid is something I have on hand. If she has some medical training she should be able to administer fluids. The important thing is to keep the pups hydrated and to help stop the diarrhea and vomitting. There also may be a local Rescue Organization who helps with funds for people who can't afford treatment.

 

[djpohn]

Puppies that are vaccinated can get parvo too. It all has to do with the degree of exposure and health of the immune system We have seen pups come down with "parvo" symptoms within a week or so of being vaccinated. Also some dogs are non responders - they don't develop an immune response when vaccinated. these dogs I would suspect have a difficent immune system and are more likely to get very sick when exposed to the actual virus or bacterial.

 

[arycrest]

Originally Posted By: Dawn KnightI'll call the owner tomorrow and see how the pup is doing and all that. I only have her work number.

Do you know of any vets in your area that take Care Credit they could take the pup to?

 

[Maedchen]

She has not had diarrhea, in fact hasn't had a BM at all in a couple of days.

Wow, this would REALLY concern me! Sounds like a blockage who needs immediate attention!!!


Not all parvo cases come back positive- the newer parvo strain doesn't show up in the tests despite typical parvo signs, but dogs who had the regular parvo vaccine are protected against it.

 

[doggiedad]

Originally Posted By: JeanKBBMMMAANYes, is there Care Credit available? http://www.carecredit.com

i'm talking about pro bono or pay later when they have the money.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I know...but a lot of vets have gotten burned by that so they don't do it.

And some do free teaching cases-but like I've heard mine say, not every case can be a teaching case.

doggiedad, you would love IMOM! http://www.imom.org they have a forum, too.

This is where the relationship with the vet office does help-the vet I go to has an official policy of no credit/pay as you go kind of thing, but I've worked out payment plans for large bills. However, you have to have the money over time to be able to do that, I guess, anyway...and who knows what the situation is here.

I was just wondering (and then started babbling) if the puppy had a BM yet. . .