OT- Little Dog (POM) Question

RetiredMom (((((hugs)))))

Sorry to hear your little companion is unwell lovie. Has the vet given you some sort of supplement that you can give via a syringe to make sure they are getting some fluids and nutrition? My own dog a rottie was very ill last year we thought we were going to lose him, but we kept on with these supplements that the vet gave us and pulled him through. He was being sick, wetting himself and also had very loose watery poo aswell. At the time it was awful to watch, but he did pull through it. He has not been the same since but he is still enjoying himself. I cant give you any other advice lovie as I find it so hard to cope when my dog gets ill, just like you lovie. I really hope they get better soon and I am sure there will be plenty of other people who can give you some advice on here. Please keep us updated on how they are getting on and I will pray for them sweetie xxxxxxxxx

RM I am so sorry this has happened. Your story is very much similar to what I went thru. I took in a sttray full blooded golden retriever several yrs ago. I took him in for a check up and his heart worm test came back positive and like you I agreed to have him treated. The treatment was $500 and he had to stay with the vet for five days. The medicine made him very ill in fact I was afraid I was going to lose him I had heard if the treatment does not kill them the disease will. But all aside he pulled thru and we had some rough days. I was not aware they have a new treatment out for it, I am sure glad. The vet was shocked that he tested positive and had it retested to make sure because my boy appeared healthy. I have a feeling the original owner had him tested and did not want to spend the money to get the dog well. Jake was the best dog I have ever owned, he was my shadow and I had to have him put down almost 2 yrs ago. He was old and it was time, one of the hardest things I have ever done. I still miss him terribly and he was so happy to have a good home and someone good to him. he had been mistreated at some point. The first month I had Jake I was over over $1,000 for his shots, heart worm treatment and then had him neutered.

I know you don't want to keep spending money but you may want to consider a second opinion here. Have the dog retested for heart worms. Something to consider for your dog, is anytime they are not feeling well and not eating, the vet will give them a chicken & rice dog food because it is easy to digest. I make my dogs rice cooked in chicken broth instead of water when they have stomach issues & they love it. You can get it canned and try to get the little dog to eat no more than 2 tablespoons starting out. Is the dog drinking any water? Needs to be kept hydrated. If the dog is not eating & drinking then it will end up dying.

This is about all I can suggest to you. I really do feel for you and the dog.

Hi RetiredeMom

I'm so sorry to hear that your little dog is so sick. I don't have any suggestions, but just wanted to let you know that I'm thinking about you and praying for your little dog. I sure hope the little one feels better really soon.

love and soft hugs
Loretta

Thank you all! I just emailed Skeye, but I don't know if she will accept an email from someone she doesn't know. The poor thing needs to go so badly and is so bloated and swollen in the abdomen.

Thank you all!

     I spoke to Skeye today and she is aware of retiredmom's questions and post.

      Skeye is also dealing with serious issues with one of her own dogs, so let's hope

      that both these dogs have good outcomes. I know how important pets can be

     when one is dealing with chronic pain. Myself, I have two cats.

  Suzane

Hi RetiredMom

I'm well out of practice, given that it's 3 1/2 years since I finished vet school and 3 years since I've worked but I'll try to help as much as I can. I'm sorry that you've been put in this position. The breeder sounds terribly irresponsible to say the least :(

Treating a dog with heartworm disease sure is rough on the poor dogs. Do you know if she was given a drug called melarsomine (the usual medication used for killing the adult heartworms) or just doxycycline on its own?

Is she eating anything at all yet? Straydog's suggestion of chicken and rice is an excellent one...when I used to do my rounds in emergency and intensive care, we would feed many of the sick dogs in hospital on small amount of chicken and rice. If you can get her to eat and drink, this should help with getting her bowels moving again. Once you can get her taking small amounts, you can even add a little bulk fibre (e.g. metamucil or benefiber) into her food.

I hope that gives you something to work with, and that you are both soon feeling a LOT better *hugs*

Laura

Right now, I wouldn't really worry about what you feed her - you just want to get her eating, and hopefully once she starts eating again she will feel a little better and you'll be able to get her onto dog food. If she's interested in the chicken/rice, then try adding a little water to it. Keep it nice and moist - she needs to be getting fluids in. Egg is just fine

If you're not happy with the vet you've taken her to, then definitely go to another vet.

The fact that the breeder gave you the dog away from his kennels worries me - that screams at me that there was something there he didn't want you to see.

Hi RetiredMom,

I have 3 poms and I have had them for years the oldest is 13 youngest 6. When we got the youngest he had already had the heartworm shot but the vet told me the other 2 might not survive the reaction of the shot so we decided against it. My heart goes out to you as poms are so loving I don't like to think about the few times mine have been sick. I agree with everyone about worry about correcting their diet later just getting them eating and drinking something is so important. I really hope yours recovers quickly and fully.

Update:

I called the vet's office again today and the main guy was in. I was naturally unhappy with what was done on Saturday and they know me from my other dogs that I have taken to them for years. So the vet told me not to give her any meds whatsoever and to bring her back up there for him to look at quickly. He also had me bring the food the other guy gave me and the meds the other guy gave me back. I did and they gave me something to help her get some vitamins and sugars into her body. You give it to them three times a day and she actually likes it!! It's only a little, but it started her on the right path....at least I think so. He also gave me a different dog food for really sick dogs. He said the liver damage was secondary to the heart worms and that she was much older than he had thought....maybe 7-8 years. He also said she was too sick to treat for any condition until her liver was better and she wasn't anemic (?sp) anymore. She did eat about a half of the little (and I do mean little) can of food earlier today and lick the syrup mixture. I'm going to give her a little more in a few minutes before she goes to bed for the night. Also, I fixed her another egg and she ate a little of that.

Ok.....so about the breeder.....my sister called to tell me that her co-worker's wife raises poms and that she had called her on my behalf. According to the lady, she was offered this dog by that breeder a while back and refused the dog because she knew it would not live and might infect the other dogs she breeds. She said the place was supposed to have been closed for giardia (?sp) infection (my dog did not have that one) and that this dog is 8-9 years old. She also said the dogs were terribly mistreated and have never experienced an open environment and that she thought the dog was in shock. She gave me several ideas and more information than I ever expected about this horrible man. I made sure the vet was well aware of the situation. He did tell me that I had rescued a very, very sick dog and was lied to in every way. I told him that I may never treat her for heartworms again, but that I am going to keep her and try my best to do what's right for her. She is so loving.

This afternoon, she started drinking water on her own again and even tried to play for a few minutes. She was too tired then to do anything else, so we'll see what happens tomorrow. I so hope she eats enough to have a B/M so she can start to get well. I kind of feel like a kindred spirit here because she is "damaged goods" so to speak and she is so kind and loving. If she doesn't make it, I can at least feel like I have done everything possible to make her life happy.

Thank you all again, my friends. You guys are the best!

Mom, you are such a wonderful person to help this poor little dog as you are, and I'm so glad that you've got onto a vet who didn't get his degree out of a Weeties packet.

That disgusts me beyond words about the breeder. There are some people around who ought not be allowed to own a pet rock, never mind a living, breathing animal.

Hope you lil pom is doing better this morning....
well wishes...

 Thank you all so much for your kind words of encouragement and advice.  Maggie has finally resumed her "normal" body functions and is feeling sooooo much better.  The vet cannot continue heartworm treatment at this time because her liver is so affected.  He also wants to wait for any new meds or anything else until she is healthier.  She still eats and drinks very little in my view, but I'm sure it is a great deal for her. 

I gave her a warm bath today and then she went out with my daughter.  She "went" immediately and several times thereafter and then started jumping up and down.  She's been on the uphill ever since.  I am so happy that she is feeling better.  I know we are not out of the woods, but I'm so pleased that she is better.  I feel better knowing she has a chance.

I think I have done all I can here about the breeder.  They are "shut down" for all intents and purposes.  We live in such a small town that reporting to the vet takes care of the "needed" things.  He gets involved in the larger animals too (like the horses that were so sick looking) and takes the initiative to do the right thing.  I know he was instrumental in helping a really sick horse that I reported about 10 years ago.  That was my only report before and I'm not even sure if they were able to save the poor thing, but at least something was done and the owners were prosecuted. 

Again, thank you all for your advice for poor Maggie and I have used so much of it that you guys have helped her pull through.  I knew you would be there when I needed you and, as always, you were! 

I can't thank you enough!