Sick Puppy

[johnsonpj]

Can someone please give us some advice. We are at our wits ends with the new puppy. My daughter bought a puppy from an individual who breeds all kinds of dogs at her house. I was very spectacle when we went to pick the puppy up becasue the kennels were filthy. The odor was almost unbearable. the puppy was so precious. We got the pup home and it would not eat at all. She told us she had been treating him for diarreah. We took him to the vet on the 2nd day and they diagnosed him with coccidia. they said it was over whelming. We have been giving him Alabon for a week now. He weighed 1.3 lbs. We have taken him back to the vet 3 times because he just gets very lathargec. They gave us some Nutrical and AD soft food. He ate that ok for a day or so and then would not eat again. He never drinks water. We put some water over in with his food. He went back to the vet today and they gave him a shot to pep him up. We got him back home and he is just so depressed and will not play. All he want s to do is sleep. Can someone please give us any suggestions on what to do to help this pup survive. The lady that she bought it from said she could bring it back as long is it was alive. I am afraid that if we take it back it really will die. My daughter has gotten so attached and is just crying her eyes out becasue she does not know what to do. We have spent about 500.00 in vet bills plus the 475.00 for the puppy. My daughter called the Humane Society today to go check out the lady's kennels. Has anyone ever given a puppy baby food. He will be 8 weeks old tomorrow. He has lost 1/10 of a pound. He now weighs 1.2 pounds. He is not getting any nourishment. Please Help!!!!

[Ellie May]

Sadly there isn't too much protection for puppies that come from these types of places. Usually the "breeder" is well within their rights if the dogs get food, water and shelter and they have a license or permit (whatever it is in your area if anything) to keep that many dogs.

I would most definately bile acids test this puppy to check liver function but because he is so small, it may be risky to take enough blood from him for this test. It is also not 100% accurate before 20 weeks. That would be my biggest concern right now.

Was the test repeated to check on the coccidia?
One of the symptoms is lethary probably from lack of nutrients.
Has the vet talked about an IV or anything?
If he keeps losing weight, there may not be a choice in starting something like this. If he won't eat the A/D, have you tried to force feed it to him?

[Wylie's Mom]

Wow, he is *really* young! As you've already realized, they are extremely vulnerable at this age/weight - so it's good that you're so on top of everything. Most yorkies are not allowed to leave their Mom until 12-16 weeks of age - so this is another sign of what that breeder is about . I'm sorry your going through all of this.

My Marcel hated that A/D - so although it's full of fat, it may not actually be that appetizing. Marcel also choked on it and stopped breathing bc it was SO thick. At this point, you really just want to get food in him. I'd probably go to a good pet food store and get some premium canned puppy food (perhaps a few brands) and see if you can find one he likes. Baby food is an option, but not long term as it's not balanced for dogs and can actually then make them sicker. Marcel really liked those toddler hot dogs (in the glass jars) - so try that.

I agree w/ Crystal though - you may need to do bile acids on this baby. But, there is also the likelihood that he is just very sick and exhausted - he was probably sick for awhile (and untreated) at the breeders. So, he could just be trying to recover - which is difficult when he's not eating. I would also give Nutrical (which has a lot of vitamins) about 4x per day at this point. Flavor his water w/ Karo or Honey to get him to drink.

[southernchick]

poor little guy.... have they also checked him for parvo? it just kind of sounds like it with him not drinking water and being lethargic.....

[Bhikku]

poor little guy.... have they also checked him for parvo? it just kind of sounds like it with him not drinking water and being lethargic.....

Hm, maybe, but considering the dog has been having diarrhea for four days, I sort of doubt it. Most untreated parvo dogs die within the first few days easily because of internal hemmoraging and the like. If the dog doesn't have a) bright red blood in the stools, and b) an unnaturally terrible smell, like decomposition, he's probably got something else.

This pup sounds like it needs to go back to the vet right away for some IV fluids. That is very small to deal with that amount of diarrhea, especially if the pup isn't drinking. It could die of dehydration very quickly.

Pursue a cruelty case against the breeder. Keeping breeding dogs in conditions like that is animal abuse under most state laws. She could lose or license or be fined for running a business without one.

[jrsygal37]

Originally Posted by johnsonpj

Can someone please give us some advice. We are at our wits ends with the new puppy. My daughter bought a puppy from an individual who breeds all kinds of dogs at her house. I was very spectacle when we went to pick the puppy up becasue the kennels were filthy. The odor was almost unbearable. the puppy was so precious. We got the pup home and it would not eat at all. She told us she had been treating him for diarreah. We took him to the vet on the 2nd day and they diagnosed him with coccidia. they said it was over whelming. We have been giving him Alabon for a week now. He weighed 1.3 lbs. We have taken him back to the vet 3 times because he just gets very lathargec. They gave us some Nutrical and AD soft food. He ate that ok for a day or so and then would not eat again. He never drinks water. We put some water over in with his food. He went back to the vet today and they gave him a shot to pep him up. We got him back home and he is just so depressed and will not play. All he want s to do is sleep. Can someone please give us any suggestions on what to do to help this pup survive. The lady that she bought it from said she could bring it back as long is it was alive. I am afraid that if we take it back it really will die. My daughter has gotten so attached and is just crying her eyes out becasue she does not know what to do. We have spent about 500.00 in vet bills plus the 475.00 for the puppy. My daughter called the Humane Society today to go check out the lady's kennels. Has anyone ever given a puppy baby food. He will be 8 weeks old tomorrow. He has lost 1/10 of a pound. He now weighs 1.2 pounds. He is not getting any nourishment. Please Help!!!!

I'm sorry about your little one. I would give him this point anything he will eat. Maybe a little boiled chicken and rice. Not chunks - you'd have to give him tiny pieces. Try hand feeding him too. You can also get some of the puppymilk they sell at most pet stores. It's for nursing but it has a lot of vitamins in it. Make sure you give him nutrical - put it on his tongue. I'd give it to him a few times a day. He's very small. As far as the breeder. You can google her name and kennel and see what come up. She sounds like a puppy mill. Is she USDA licensed? There is a web page you can check to see if she is listed as USDA Facility. Elaine

[Amazing Yorkies]

You've gotten some great advice! I just wanted to say I'm sorry you're going through such a terrible time. Prayers for your little one!

[johnsonpj]

Thank you all for your advice. The pup was rechecked for coccidia yesterday and it is as bad as it was originally. We have been treating him for 1 week now. The vet said that he was too little to take blood so the liver enzymes cannot be checked at this time. We will just keep trying to force feed him but he is very combative and just shakes his head. I am so afraid that this will turn him off to eating at all. It is just pitiful to see such a small little baby have to go through this. Once again thanks for your replies.

[yorkie_mama22]

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup, it sounds like you got him way to early. I know younger puppies are alot more sleepy and like to lay around so you would have to give him a little more time before he wants to play, but of course if he is that sick he is not feeling very well. I would suggest maybe if you got a small syringe and syringe feed him. My dog has not been able to eat on her own and that is what we were doing with her. Blended up some canned food, some wet dog food and water until it was kinda watery and then fed her that way. The vet said this was okay, maybe try that so he gets some food in him, you could wrap him in a towel so he doesn't move around alot. I will keep your pup in my prayers, poor little baby

[bchgirl]

Originally Posted by johnsonpj

Thank you all for your advice. The pup was rechecked for coccidia yesterday and it is as bad as it was originally. We have been treating him for 1 week now. The vet said that he was too little to take blood so the liver enzymes cannot be checked at this time. We will just keep trying to force feed him but he is very combative and just shakes his head. I am so afraid that this will turn him off to eating at all. It is just pitiful to see such a small little baby have to go through this. Once again thanks for your replies.

A puppy with coccidia can be really really sick. The antibotics should help. I would also do what's suggested above...offer him boiled chicken or a premium canned food. Since he is not eating well...I'd give nutrical also.

I'm sorry he's so sick and hope he gets well.

[Ellie May]

Originally Posted by johnsonpj

Thank you all for your advice. The pup was rechecked for coccidia yesterday and it is as bad as it was originally. We have been treating him for 1 week now. The vet said that he was too little to take blood so the liver enzymes cannot be checked at this time. We will just keep trying to force feed him but he is very combative and just shakes his head. I am so afraid that this will turn him off to eating at all. It is just pitiful to see such a small little baby have to go through this. Once again thanks for your replies.

Did the vet want to look at liver enzymes and can't or did you want him/her to?

I would go with Wylie's Mom's advice and try to find some that he likes.
Evangers might interest him or at this point you can boil some boneless skinless chicken breast (no fat), add rice, noodles, potato, etc., add a small amount of oil (olive or canola...about a teaspoon) and see if he will eat that.

An okay ratio for now would be 1 ounce meat, 88 grams carb, 60 grams vegetables and 1 tsp. oil.

[Bhikku]

I'm so sorry to hear about your pup, it sounds like you got him way to early.

I don't think that 8 weeks is way too early, personally. My yorkie pup was 8 weeks when I got him from a BYB and hasn't had any kind of problems like this...he was even already eating dry kibble.

Sounds like typical puppy mill fare to me. Doesn't matter how old a pup is, if it's raised in a filthy, crowded environment it's probably going to get sick with something.

I hope your puppy gets well! Don't forget to force some food on him before you give him antibiotics, or the antibiotics can tear his stomach up even worse...

[bchgirl]

All puppies have coccidia parasites present...sometimes the stress of going to a new home...causes them to get sick from it.

[amandawash]

Originally Posted by Bhikku

I don't think that 8 weeks is way too early, personally. My yorkie pup was 8 weeks when I got him from a BYB and hasn't had any kind of problems like this...he was even already eating dry kibble.

Sounds like typical puppy mill fare to me. Doesn't matter how old a pup is, if it's raised in a filthy, crowded environment it's probably going to get sick with something.

I hope your puppy gets well! Don't forget to force some food on him before you give him antibiotics, or the antibiotics can tear his stomach up even worse...

Just because you didn't have any problems doesn't mean it's right by any means. Some pups do ok, some don't. Most don't. If you stick around long enough you will see far more "my puppy is 8 weeks and is sick" than the other way around.

To the OP- have you tried chicken baby food? My girlfriend purchased two yorkie pups from byb breeder at the age of 8 weeks. They were right at one pound. She spent well over $1000 at the ER vet the first week, then had to nurse them through for the next three or so weeks. They do have some liver problems (MVD), but are doing well now, at 6mos. old.

Good luck and poor, poor baby. Have you thought about leaving him at the vet's where he can get IV fluids and nutrients until he becomes stable?

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by Bhikku

I don't think that 8 weeks is way too early, personally. My yorkie pup was 8 weeks when I got him from a BYB and hasn't had any kind of problems like this...he was even already eating dry kibble.

Sounds like typical puppy mill fare to me. Doesn't matter how old a pup is, if it's raised in a filthy, crowded environment it's probably going to get sick with something.

I hope your puppy gets well! Don't forget to force some food on him before you give him antibiotics, or the antibiotics can tear his stomach up even worse...

The Yorkshire Terrier Club of America states that breeders should not sell Yorkie puppies until they are at least 12 weeks old. Any breeder who violates the YTCA rules is not a reputable breeder.

Sadly, poorly bred puppies from backyard breeders and puppy mills are often sick. They also often have genetic "time bombs" that go off as they get older and rack up big vet vets throughout their lifetime.

I agree with Amanda. This little guy probably needs to be hospitalized and given fluids and nutrients through an IV. Dehydration causes electrolyte imbalances which can cause cardiac arrest.