I need some help...ideas please (long)

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by Woogie Man

There's quite a few things that would cause the symptoms you're describing. Have you seen any worms in his stool? Another possibility is that he has coccidia, an intestinal inflammation caused by a bacteria. The treatment for that is Albon but he really needs a fecal to determine just what's wrong. Watch out to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated. If he seems weak you can give him a little Nutrical or, if you don't have any, use some karo syrup or honey or molasses. You only need to use a dab at a time. This may help to keep him from going downhill on you until you can see the vet. Good luck with everything.

Thanks for your nice wishes! I thought about worms after doing extensive reading on the web yesterday (I've never had any experience with worms but some of the symptoms SOUNDED like it was a possibility), so after reading about what they use for all the different types, I went to Petsmart and got some SafeGuard and intended to give it to Madison, but since he wasn't eating up to that point, I knew it wasn't going to happen. Plus, then when he DID want to eat, I didn't want to add ANYTHING different that might upset his digestive system anymore. So I think I will hold off and let the vet decide.
With him having been alone and starving for I have no idea how long, there's so many possibilities of bacterial, amoebic, or other infections he might have going on.
My big "plan" was to find his owners , who then could take him to the vet, but that didn't work out, so then it was get him healthy enough to go get his shots at the low cost clinic and then get him to the vet for a physical. I just couldn't get him healthy for long enough.

I'm going to try to get him into the vet in the morning. Do you know offhand about stool samples? I picked up some of his yesterday, which I imagine won't be good by tomorrow? And should they or should they NOT be kept in the fridge (nice talk, but I need to know in case he goes tomorrow before I can get hold of the vet's). Thanks again!

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by Patti

I feel so bad for you. You did a great thing by taking him in and now you are having problems. I have a Pom with chronic colitis, her tummy makes noises and she had bloody, mucosy poops. The vet gave me mes to give her whern she has an epsidoe and they are really inexpensive, and really work great. I would explain to your vet that money is tight and you want to help your baby but expensive testing is not an option and maybe they can try a conservative approach and try some meds to get his tummy issues under control. Good luck.

That sounds EXACTLY like what is going on. I will PM you!! Thank you!

[nvnvgirl]

Originally Posted by For My Coby

Good post. The only thing I would add is to stress to the vet that this is a rescued pup that you've taken in for what you originally thought was a temporary period. I really think that most vets will at least try to work with you in a situation like this. Big Hugs and Best Wishes!!

Thank you so much. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed!!!

[nvnvgirl]

To everybody who has posted a note here to me, I want to tell you how very much it means to have you all offer your suggestions and advice.
Yesterday I was absolutely panic stricken b/c I'm not familiar enough with dogs being sick and to me, EVERY episode is grounds for severe anxiety.

I know it's a little crazy to be so in love with this little guy when I had a feeling he was going to need care that would more than likely be somewhat of a financial burden on us, but when I went to pick him up, and he leapt into my arms the second I approached, I think my heart went out to him. He was so emaciated, and so scruffy looking, but so loving that I knew that if I couldn't find his owners I couldn't let him go to just anybody, who might not view a pet in the same way I view/value mine. And I suppose I should have known that I'm not the kind of person who "gets rid" of an animal or allows it to be passed from one home to another. I can't bear the thought of any animal getting comfortable somewhere and then being uprooted again.

And to see how much he's come along since being here; from not knowing what a toy even was, or knowing how to play with another dog, or being comfortable sleeping in or on a bed, but opting to sleep on the hard tile floor; to being the toy theft instigator, shaking them and throwing them wayyy up in the air, to racing around and tumbling on the lawn with Max, to first, sleeping part of the night at the end of the bed, to now, sleeping right next to me most of the night; when he races to the front door if I say we're going somewhere, to almost putting his own harness and leash on himself b/c he's so excited, and practically dressing himself when I bring out a tshirt; it's hard not to become attached.

And when I think about what he's been thru in his little life, it just breaks my heart to think he might have gone thru it all, finally finding someone who truly cares about him, only to lose him because of all my ignorance.

I want you to know that I am going to get him into the vet tomorrow as soon as I can, and I will take all your suggestions with me. I can't tell you in words how very much your kindess and caring about someone who you know not at all, but know more than you want to about, has touched me.

I'm not normally the kind of person who feels sorry for themself or wants any pity, and I don't really like to acknowledge my feelings in writing, but yesterday I was at my wit's end, knowing how much I love this little Madison monkey and feeling like I was hitting my head against a wall.

I think it's a testament to how wonderful and loving this breed is and really brings out the best in almost everybody. I will update you tomorrow when we get back from the vet's and I hope it's optimistic news.

Again, thank you from the very bottom of all our hearts (esp. Max's, who will be VERY happy when the attention can once again be focused on HIM).

Seana, Max and Madison

[Little Bit]

There are a few organizations that help with medical expenses especially for resuced dogs. I googled and this is what I found, but there are probably others if you google the right words.

What You Can Do If You Are Having Trouble Affording Emergency Veterinary Care:
IMOM: Dedicated to better the lives of sick, injured and abused companion animals and to insure that no companion animal has to be euthanized simply because their caretaker is financially challenged. Allows owners to fundraise for their pets’ care via their website. Also has limited funds for emergencies, blind dogs, diabetic pets, and those with chronic renal failure. http://www.imom.org
THE PET FUND: Provides financial assistance to owners of domestic animals who need urgent veterinary care. Companion animal owners must often make the difficult decision to put an animal down or neglect urgent medical needs because of the costs involved. The purpose of the Pet Fund is to work towards a future where decisions about companion animal medical care need never be made on the basis of cost. The Pet Fund also provides information to owners about preventative care, pet insurance programs, and financial services that will ensure that pet owners are able to develop financial resources on their own and thus avoid future emergencies through care and planning. Tel: (916) 443-6007. http://www.thepetfund.com
HELP-A-PET: Provides financial assistance for the medical care of pets whose owners are unable to afford the expense. Focus on serving the elderly, the disabled, and the working poor. Tel: (630) 986-9504, Fax: (630) 986-9141. http://www.help-a-pet.org
FELINE VETERINARY EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Provides assistance to cat/kitten guardians who are unable to afford veterinary services to save their companions when life-threatening illness/injury strikes. Focus on seniors, people w/ disabilities, people who have lost their job, Good Samaritans who rescue a cat or kitten. FVEAP, 1641 Elizabeth Lane, Yuba City, CA 95993, Fax: 888-301-4264. http://www.fveap.org
LABMED: Will provide monetary assistance toward emergency medical expenses for Labrador Retrievers or Lab-mixes who are abandoned or in a rescue situation and for whom no other funding is available or is insufficient. http://www.labmed.org
LABRADOR LIFE LINE: Aids purebred Labrador Retrievers in need of new homes, urgent medical care, or other assistance in order to live a full and productive life. Provides assistance to dogs:
(a) currently in or will be placed in rescue situations;
(b) dogs currently at shelters with whom LLL has a current Memorandum of Understanding;
(c) dogs who are with families, but for valid reasons, the family cannot provide the required help for the dog's condition. http://www.labradorlifeline.org
GOLDSTOCK FUND: The Fund's mission is to provide funds to rescue organizations or individuals to pay for transportation, boarding, evaluations and medical costs of golden retrievers and golden hearted dogs taken into rescue. The Goldstock General Fund also supports other breeds of dogs in rescue situations, and also provides educational information and materials to rescues and the public. http://www.goldstockfund.org
ORTHODOGS’ SILVER LINING: OSL was created to help orthopedic cases including owned companion dogs, service dogs, and animals in the care of “no kill” shelter/rescue groups. http://www.oslf.org
STARFLEET CANINE AID FOUNDATION: SCAF was created to provide financial aid to owners or rescue organizations that could not otherwise afford medical treatment for the curable disease or recoverable accident of a canine companion. http://www.canineaid.org
More resources at: http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/needhomes.other.resources.html
Owners can also fundraise for veterinary bills at: http://www.fundable.com
If you have a specific breed of dog, contact the National Club for that breed. In some cases, these clubs offer a veterinary financial assistance fund.
Veterinary Financial Aid & Resources for Cats:
• Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance Fund, Fax 888-301-4264; http://www.fveap.org
• Animal Welfare Association, Phone: (888) 616-9663
• Help-A-Pet, Phone: (630) 986-9504; http://www.help-a-pet.org
• IMOM, http://www.imom.org
• Pets In Need, Phone: (650) 367-1405; http://www.petsinneed.org
• United Animal Nations, Phone: (916) 429-2457; http://www.uan.org
• Care Credit, Credit payment plan for veterinary and personal health care costs; (800) 839-9078; http://www.carecredit.com
• Cats in Crisis, Inc.,“Providing financial assistance to help with diagnosing, treating and maintaining cats
with special medical needs”, P.O. Box 354, Mountville, PA 17554; http://www.catsincrisis.org
• AAHA Helping Pets Fund, (866) 443-5738; http://www.aahahelpingpets.org
• Angels4Animals, (916)941-9119; http://www.angels4animals.org
• The Pet Fund, http://www.thepetfund.com

Also these sites listed below have other lists of organizations that help:

UAN : Our Programs : LifeLine Grants : Other Assistance Programs

Pet Financial Aid for Caretakers of Dogs, Cats, and Animals.

Bless you for being so willing to help Madison. I hope some one can help him.

[cuzio23]

Oh Seana! I'm so sorry to hear this!! I'm praying for Madison and for you!!!

I sorry I don't have any other advice, but I'm sure the Vet would work out some sort of plan for you! Maybe call your local humane society or rescue shelter to see if they could tell you of a vet clinic that helps out in situations like yours???

Please keep us updated!! And I'll be thinking of you guys!!!

[Jenn218]

I now most vets around here are sooo willing to take in an animal in need....they can either do arrangements for payments, etc. If this little guy is sick, I am afraid to say it, but maybe finding him a good home would be a wise choice for him too...and a vet can help w/ that as well. I know you love the little guy already, but that is an option too.
You and Madison will be in our thoughts and prayers!!!