I just read through your thread. I will add prayers for Charlie Boy. You have sure been through a rough start with him. But when you pull him through, you two will have such a close bond!

Years ago, I got a pound puppy that wound up with parvo (even tho he was supposed have been tested for it!) We had to get transfusions from a boxer, so we always said that dog had part boxer even if it was only blood. :)

your Charlie Boy would probably not be alive if you had not taken the initiative to find another vet when you felt he was not getting sufficient care from the first one. Many would not have followed through with that. Your little guy will have you to thank for his very life when you pull him through this.

Is there any other family you can call upon to give you a break so you can replenish yourself? I know from hand-feeding a litter of pups that feeding every hour or two can really take its toll on your own energy reserves. I felt like was so exhausted -- I actually set alarms because I was afraid I would miss a feeding. I would fall asleep holding their bottle and then get so worried. Thankfully I never overfed anyone or dropped a puppy. But I just know how tired you are probably getting. If you can ask for help, please do! Take care of yourself cause Charlie Boy depends on you!

Thinking of you!
 

Lisa...Zoe and I are thinking of you and Charlie Boy and hoping things are improving hourly! Zoe went through such a similar time and has pulled through beautifully so far. It took a LOT of care but was, of course, ever so worth it. We decided that anything she would eat was good when she wouldn't really eat. We tried:
Numerous canned dog foods (Cesar is her favorite) They went in the syringe well
Baby foods...cereals with fruits and meats with fruits...also good in the syringe. Puppy Nutri-cal on our fingertip about 5-6 times a day
Moistened her dry food with broth, puppy formula, anything, really
Dry food is Royal Canin Puppydog 30, which is tiny.
Cottage cheese and puppy formula (which you can add baby cereal to also)
And, she really likes Bil Jack "Lil Jacks"...probably like candy but calories were calories.
We still feed her about every two hours and she's gained 4 oz. over the last week and a half. Yay!
I'm sending prayers, energy and "hungry" thoughts!

Thinking of you!
 

Lisa...Zoe and I are thinking of you and Charlie Boy and hoping things are improving hourly! Zoe went through such a similar time and has pulled through beautifully so far. It took a LOT of care but was, of course, ever so worth it. We decided that anything she would eat was good when she wouldn't really eat. We tried:
Numerous canned dog foods (Cesar is her favorite) They went in the syringe well
Baby foods...cereals with fruits and meats with fruits...also good in the syringe. Puppy Nutri-cal on our fingertip about 5-6 times a day
Moistened her dry food with broth, puppy formula, anything, really
Dry food is Royal Canin Puppydog 30, which is tiny.
Cottage cheese and puppy formula (which you can add baby cereal to also)
And, she really likes Bil Jack "Lil Jacks"...probably like candy but calories were calories.
We still feed her about every two hours and she's gained 4 oz. over the last week and a half. Yay!
I'm sending prayers, energy and "hungry" thoughts!

Charlie tested positive for Coccidia now!! So 9 days of antibiotics and still every two hours and keep trying to feed him soft food on his own and kibbles. He wasn't able to get his 2nd vaccines today due to how sick he is. The vet wants to get him thru this bought. Check up in about 10-14 days and if not better then blood tests for liver shunt?? I think that is how you say it?? She said most likely he had this along with Parvo before we brought him to our home. Kinda frustrating!!:mad: So I need to read up on Coccidia. Not too familiar about it but know if not treated it isn't a good deal. So poor guy...He is still 1 pound. He hasn't loss any weight so that makes me feel better that we are doing something right for him :)

I guess I haven't asked anyone to help with Charlie. When my husband is on his 4 days off he is very good to let me sleep and take shift. But it is the 4 days he is working and this week on nights that gets rough. I too set my alarm 4 times on my cell phone so I don't miss a feeding. We tried stretching him to 3 hours max and blood sugar way down. Caught it before he went in to a full blown attack. So two is the max we can go right now. I know if we didn't try another vet he would not of made it thru the one night. I'm thankful for the care they have given him. It has been very spendy for us but I can't let him go. I couldn't just let one of my kids go! Some people laugh at us that we haven't had a life right now but Charlie. I'm thankful I don't work and am able to be home for him! I couldn't imagine feeding a whole litter of pups! Wow good for you!!:thumbup:

Oh goodness...I am sorry to hear this. :(. Poor little thing. I don't know anything about Coccidia. I will pray for him some more.

Take care....God bless you, your hubby, and Charlie Boy.

Thank you Jinger & Zoe! We have tried so many different variations of food as well. He did show interest in the Cesar but won't have nothing to do with any food except once in awhile if our older dog Annie eats her hard food or the Charlie will eat a few bites too. So I have been trying a new way....I'm using Annie to eat some soft food out of my hand then offer what is left to Charlie and he will eat some that way. Still not anywhere near enough for a meal. Then I have to syringe feed him. Of course at the vet yesterday he ate some of the adult canned food she offered him. So I brought it home and NOPE!! UGH!! He is something I tell ya ;) Our Annie is thinking all this new food is wonderful. She will eat anything!!

Just now reading this thread, poor Charlie and you! What an ordeal! Maybe once Charlie has been on the antibiotics a couple days his appetite will improve. Hope he improves quickly!

very glad he is doing better, he has a good mommy

I am so sorry to hear that little Charlie has been so sick. Will keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers. It is so scary when a little one is ill.

As far as feeding goes, have you tried boiling a chicken breast and then cooking some rice in the broth? You can smush up the chicken and mix it in.

Today Charlie ate a little bit of kibble...(our older dog's kibble) and some soft food on his own! It was a most joyful "moment" that brought me to tears :D That was the only time today but hopefully gradually his full blown appetite will return!! Just had to share my "moment"

Go Charlie Boy
 

Yay Charlie Boy! Keep up the good work:)

That is wonderful! I understand your joy and feel it with you! Yay!

Keep going Charlie Boy! Be tough!

YAY Charlie!!!! :) :)

That's GREAT news...keep up the good work both Charlie Boy and mom!!! We are pulling for you!!! :o)