Advice on helping coworkers new puppy I am venting and also seeking some advice on how to deal with this situation… My coworker, who is also the person that will likely run our company when his dad retires, called me yesterday to ask what he needed for a new puppy… of course I asked all the normal questions and was alarmed & disturbed to hear he was picking her up last night (you’re getting a puppy and have clearly done no research?!). Last night he called saying the puppy was having “breathing problems”. It sounded like snorting/wheezing to me on the phone. When I asked more questions he said she was lethargic. I told him I’d have her at the 24 hour vet but if he didn’t want to do that to get her to the vet first thing in the morning, since I’m obviously in no position to diagnose/ treat a puppy. He has the poor puppy here in the office this morning and I’m trying to convince him to get her to the vet ASAP. I’m trying not to touch her too might but to me she seems extremely lethargic and is doing a faint snort sound. I also learned she’s only 6 weeks old… she hasn’t eaten or pooped since 6pm last night (beagle mix looking pup, so she looks to me to be about 6 pounds). When I asked if he was feeding the same diet she was on, he said that she’d just stopped nursing and “doesn’t think” they were feeding her anything. I said to take her back to the mother right away & he said that wasn’t an option… ugh! So frustrating and I don’t know what I can do… if I spoke my mind I’d be putting myself in a bad situation at work but this poor pup is too young to be away from its mother and doesn’t appear healthy to me. Any thoughts? I am considering just taking her to the vet myself if he doesn’t do it this morning but again am walking a kind of fine line here… Thanks for reading my irritation vent and any thoughts you have on helping this pup! |
You've given your advice and that's all you can do. You've given polite and sound recommendations in which he actually asked for and he's made the option not to take her back to the mother or to the vet at this time. In the event that something poor happens, that's not on you. |
This puppy could have hypoglycemia or something else and could die soon. Even though I'm not the owner, I'd hate to have that on my conscience. WHY won't the owner take this puppy to the vet? Is it that he doesn't think the symptoms are serious? You will have to get permission from the owner before taking the puppy to the vet yourself. If he is unwilling, I would call the local humane society and explain the situation to them and see what they recommend. They might tell you that there is nothing you can do, but on the other hand, they might sent out an animal control officer to give the owner a lecture on proper veterinary care. Keep us posted on the puppy's health. I had a somewhat similar situation with a neighbor's puppy who was obviously not being well taken care of. (I posted on this elsewhere in Yorkie Talk.) It can be frustrating, and you feel completely helpless at times. |
Larger dogs normally leave there moms at 8 weeks so at 6 pounds the puppy if healthy would probably be ok if feed often but this pup does not sound healthy. Any new pup should go to the vet within the first 48 hours. You might could print out some info about that and give it to him but not sure there is much else you can do. |
Thanks all!!! He did end of taking her to the vet. He couldn't get into to the regular vet but took her to the 24hour vet. He's very difficult to get information out of but did say the Parvo test was negative. She is still at the vet though and it sounds like they must be doing a bunch of tests or possibly some IV fluids as he says he had to 50% of the estimate to leave her there, and that was $400... fingers crossed this baby will be healthy & he will continue to take advice on proper care; hopefully choosing to do some of his own research in the future. I'll let you know what info he gets back from the vet when I hear! Thank you again! |
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Just an update... this pup is home and doing "okay". My coworker is probably one of the most frustrating people I've ever known so getting any real information is like pulling teeth. haha. They did have the pup on fluids while at the vet. He doesn't know what the issue was, but they're treating for parasites, kennel cough, possibly something else. This morning when I asked about the pup the response I got was "fine". So, I imagine I won't likely know more until the next time he's got a sick dog in the middle of the night. I have given him some information to read and all of my best advice on raising a happy, healthy pup... now, I guess I just have to let it be. Eek! |
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