[newyorki]

HI - I am ne where and first I want to extend my well wishes to all of the sick Yorkies on this forum. May they all get better soon.

I had an issue yesterday that I would like to discuss. As I've mentioned I am a new pet owner and don't always know what to look for or assert myself. However, as a mom I have had LOTS of experiences with pediatricians doing the CYA dance, missing symptoms, over medicating and over intervening. WHy should I assume vets are any different. So if you have a moment to read this and help me learn I would appreciate it.

I adopted two Yorkies (actually one is a Y-Poo) from a rescue within the last month. The first was treated for giardia . When I adopted the second, he was also treated for giardia. (both had stool test). I asked, based on what I've learned about giardia, should we check Yorkie #1 or do anything preventative to him? The answer was no, just treat Y2.

OK...course of meds finished about 2 weeks ago. Y1 continues to have a bad day once in a while with some D. To the point, I have never graduated them to dog food, still cooking them boiled chicken and sweet potato. Most D episodes have seemed to be a one shot deal, followed by a normal stool.

Over the weekend, Yorkie 1 had a few D's in a row. Not to get too graphic, but one was green. I called the vet immediately on Sunday and they said bring him in Monday morning. Right when I was packing up Y1 to leave, Y2 produced a less noteworthy D, but it was D nonetheless. So I packed him along for the ride.

So yesterday morning they were both seen and tested. Stool tests to be sent out. the vet told me he was going to do subcutaneous fluids on them, and no food for 24 hours (which seemed odd to me since I've read Yorkies can get low blood sugar.). he gave me a scrip for antibiotics and told me he suspected giardia. He also prescribed a high fiber dog food, I believe that it is called WD, (I am being used as a pillow by a lonely Y2 so I can't go look).

I took the boys home, gave them a butt-bath (which they needed) and both put up the usual struggle They hovered by their dishes and asked for food but eventually scampered off to play, fight, and nap. A few hours later, Y1 came up to me to get my attention. He was in distress. He is 5 lbs btw. I picked him up and he shrieked in pain. I figured a way to hold him comfortably and inspected him. He was shaking all over. I called the vet immediately - it was about 1 PM.

The vet did not take my call but I informed the office of the pain, shrieking, shaking, and change in personality. I put on Y1's sweater and cranked up the heat. Still shivering. I made a hot water bottle. Still shivering. Now, IMO way too much time has passed, I've read about hypoglecemia, I decided to give some Karo syrup. FINALLY, the shivering stopped.

I basically spent the next 3 hours distraught, holding Y1 and trying to comfort him as he looked at me drowsy and glassy eyed. He took water when I gave it to him. At 4 PM the vet finally called back and said if I felt more comfortable doing so I could bring him in. Hell yeah!!!

So, I get over there by 5, and the upshot was, he had a fever..I believe it may have been 104 or even 105. The vet did not specify, this info came later. The vet told me that he would need to stay overnight. Not one person in the office would give me a guarantee he would be OK. They kept saying "we'll have to wait for tests". Our entire family spent an awful night last night worrying.

Overnight we spoke to the night nurse who said they had never seen pain in sub Cu sites like this and he might never recover.

Meanwhile, Y2 seems fine....still some D but has eaten and has started on his meds. He weighs 6 lbs.

Today, I spoke to the vet. Y1 is "stable", his temp is down to 101, his stool test was (-), his blood tests were "not bad", and they are able to decrease the fluids in his IV. Hopefully remove it. The vet reiterated he had never seen a dog have pain at the subcutanuous injection sites. However, he did say that he will recover from the pain. He said that the puppy was walking around on his own and ate some baby food. However, overall he is not satisfied with the lethargy.

They want me to c/b again at 3 and possibly keep him for one more night. of course we all want our baby back ASAP.

I realize this is a long post, but you guys are smart and experienced. I wonder if you see any red flags there. I am used to arguing with doctors when it comes to my kids, and I am used to catching stuff the doctors miss. However I need to learn when it comes to vets. Off the top of my head it seems like if this vet had called back sooner and responded about the shaking, we might have caught an issue sooner. And wth with the sub cu fluids? Really, no other dog has shown sensitivity to this? Comments?

Thanks for reading.