My baby might not make it and its my fault

[darlenejmnz]

If you guys have been following my last thread then you know about my 10 week old Joey and how he wouldn't eat and had to be force fed.

This afternoon I tried to stand him up and I noticed that he wouldn't stand up without falling sideways and that when I picked him up his head would just roll back, he just felt very weak. I immediately took him to my vet who immediately sent me to the closest animal hospital (they are a clinic and were going to close soon).

My baby has low blood glucose and was in shock.

I feel terrible I ask myself what I could have done differently. I woke up every 3/4 hours in the middle of the night and force fed him, I even force fed him water since I felt he wasn't drinking enough. I had nutrical and 50% dextrose readily available and gave him those constantly. And still I failed him. I have never cried so hard in my life or prayed as honestly as I did today.

I had a $900 bill which I was no where prepared for I called my mom crying to lend me some money. Btw this hospital charges 3 times as much as everyone in the area but what can I do in memorial day all vet offices will be closed.

The thing is if its just the low blood sugar they have him on IV's and they are intravenously giving him glucose so he should be okay but the doctor is telling me he has some kind of parasite that is making him not eat. He was just in the vet yesterday has been with his vet every day since I have gotten him so why wouldn't she know of this. She checked a stool sample 3 times (three different days) and told me that apart from a tapeworm he was clean and that our only concern was that he wouldn't eat. He did get a vaccine for the tapeworms.

The doctor at the hospital was quick to give me the three choices Joey had: 1. Pay the 900 to keep him overnight giving him a 50-60% survival rate.
2. Treat me as an outpatient (saving me money) giving him only some drugs and sending me home (this had a less than 10% survival rate)
3. euthanasia

I could never kill my dog and live with myself. I ask myself if I could have done anything differently: be more vigilant, cuddle him more, feed him more/more often, keep him with his mommy longer. If Joey were to pass I could never own another dog again.

The doctor told me i would need around 3 grand to keep him as long as Joey needs to be ok. And even then he says their is a chance he will not make it.

If you guys know of any clinics/ places that will help me maybe lower cost I don't know.

I called his breeder and his siblings are fine (brother was sent to forever home and sister is still with her). If he has some sort of parasite how could he have gotten it? Apart from the vet he has not been outside.

I even started to think maybe the doctor is pulling my leg/ exaggerating to get more money. I mean this parasite thing came out of nowhere and now its is life or death?

I don't know why I wrote this maybe I just want to rant maybe I'm looking for words of encouragement but in the end it will be god's will. I literally have no money left and will be selling my iPad tomorrow for some extra money but otherwise I don't know what to do.

I plan to keep him overnight at the hospital and then take him to his breeder she will take him to her vet for a second opinion and if he makes it she will keep him for me for a few weeks.

I need words of encouragement, prayers, advice, anything that could help ease the pain that I currently feel in my heart.

[Maximo]

I am very sorry for your little Joey and you. Do I understand that the doctor says he has a tapeworm and nothing else going on?

To be honest, if you return him to the breeder, he will probably be put to sleep.

Is he home with you right now?

[dottiesyrky]

You poor thing, what a horrible and scary situation you are in with your young baby. Of course you have done everything you can for him and want him to survive. You want to try and save him whatever the cost, but I can see that if you do not have the funds that does not seem to be an option.
What I do not understand is why the breeder is not taking financial responsibility for his treatment at the vet? He is only ten weeks old!! You say you have done everything right for this baby and not exposed him to danger outside your home, so is it not likely that the tiny pup was sick when he left the breeder? I feel this pup should be taken care of in all respects by the breeder and the financial and care burden should be hers. Perhaps others will be better able to comment on this point?
I cannot help on where you might get vet help in your area, but is there a rescue who might assist?
Praying some solution can be found so that your baby can be correctly diagnosed and treated.

[Maximo]

I agree that the breeder should be stepping up. Do you have a health guarantee?

[darlenejmnz]

I do have a health guarantee but she says the siblings are fine her vet said he was healthy, my vet said he was healthy... This doctor is the first time I'm hearing of the parasite.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by darlenejmnz

I do have a health guarantee but she says the siblings are fine her vet said he was healthy, my vet said he was healthy... This doctor is the first time I'm hearing of the parasite.

Did the doctor say the parasite is a worm?

Is Joey home with you and how is he doing?

[darlenejmnz]

Originally Posted by Maximo

Did the doctor say the parasite is a worm?

Is Joey home with you and how is he doing?

He's in the hospital. Their giving him 24 hour care, keeping him on an IV, hourly feedings etc.

The doctor said and he believes it is a parasite but will need more tests to be sure. And that's an additional $200-$300.

[Maximo]

I can't believe an ER doctor would recommend euthanasia over a tapeworm.

Is there another ER anywhere near you?

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by darlenejmnz

He's in the hospital. Their giving him 24 hour care, keeping him on an IV, hourly feedings etc.

The doctor said and he believes it is a parasite but will need more tests to be sure. And that's an additional $200-$300.

I'm glad he is in the hospital. I am so very sorry and I am praying for your little guy.

[darlenejmnz]

Originally Posted by Maximo

I can't believe an ER doctor would recommend euthanasia over a tapeworm.

Is there another ER anywhere near you?

That's whats weird my vet said he will be fine. I'm going to call her in the morning and see what she can tell me. Yes their I'd and I am ready to take him there if I can get a second opinion.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by darlenejmnz

That's whats weird my vet said he will be fine. I'm going to call her in the morning and see what she can tell me. Yes their I'd and I am ready to take him there if I can get a second opinion.

That would be great if you can get in touch with your vet and if you could get a second opinion.

Praying for your little boy and you.

[dottiesyrky]

How old was he when you got him? I do not believe i followed the thread you mention but it seems you have had issues with him for some time. He could be superficially examined by vets in the past and the defect / illness not detected. Is it possible he had the tapeworm when you got him but it was small enough not to cause symptoms?
In any case if he has a health guarantee, surely if he is so sick and close to death at TEN weeks, the breeder should take responsibility irrespective of the health of siblings?? Who knows if they may develop symptoms in time?
For me it would be a no brainier to cover the cost in this situation, for moral if no other reason. What a sad situation.

[cindersellie]

I pmed you. The 1st time mine had low BS from not eating, she was like a beanie baby on my lap at 5 am going 30 miles over the speed limit to the closest ER- a normal 30 min drive...took me 15 mins! LOL! I know what you're going through...My girl is super picky, won't eat a lot of the time. I was given the same choices. I've had dogs before that I had to force feed, so I took mine home. I didn't want her to die with out me.( my decision, which could have been a distaster, but I didn't leave without clear instructions written out for me) I learned to use a syringe with watered down food. you just have to take it slow, and do it often. My ER vet said to give food and water every 2 hrs. They should tell you what to use, how much and how often. If they don't explain what to do so you feel comfortable trying, leave you pup there over night.
He got a shot there for worms? or did he get the shot before he got sick? It could be a reaction. IDK, but talk to the vet, and do what you feel is comfortable for you.

[lovespandp]

I'm so sorry.. I'm sending good thoughts and prayers to you and your sweet boy Joey.

[ladyjane]

They will suggest euthanasia if the person cannot afford it. Some places will try to save a pup and send to rescue IF the owner signs it over. I just got a call like that the other night. The puppy had fleas and was dying from the anemia. He needed blood and the owner could not afford it, so they signed him over. I had already told the vet we would take the pup if they signed him over.

OP, if you cannot afford to help your puppy, you could reach out to United Yorkie Rescue. They have members in Florida and could probably help him. I agree with Maximo that the breeder will probably euth him if you take him back.

Maybe just maybe he will improve overnight. I hope so. I will definitely keep him in my thoughts and prayers.

Ask them exactly what it is that he has. Surely it is something that can be treated.