Baby with Coccidia DESPERATE please help!!!
 

Hi my name is Amanda and i am the new mommy of a 10wk old yorkie puppy who is extremely small weighing in at 1.3lbs and his name is Doodle (puppy doodle) lol... So he started acting lethargic and just not wanting to participate in playing with is sister (Ryleigh) who is a shih tzu who he has loved since we have brought him home... So i took him to the vet on saturday and after a few tests he was diagnosed with coccidia which i had no idea what it was... He was givin the pink stuff (liquid) for nausea and the ardel to kill the coccidia... Well we went to the emergency vet lastnight due to him being very weak and just collapsing he wasnt able to walk or hardly keep his head up... The emergency vet told us to just start feeding him via syringe 3cc of food every 4 hours and water as well as sugar water... Well he is not getting any better so it seems... My partner and i have been very dilligent in doing this ever 3 hrs as directed... He just seems so weak and lifeless, he is not walking can barely stand has not went potty since earlier this afternoon... Is this normal??? As im new to this breed and new to this disease ive never heard of it before this!!! It is horrible and i am a nervous wreck someone please help me!!! What should i expect during his treatment?? Is this normal for him to just be sleepy all the time and not want to walkand just collapse?? He has been fed on his feeding schedule all day and now he is laying beside me and looks like he has tremors every now and again where his head will shake... I am just a nervous wreck the vets arent really doing anything for him besides telling us to feed him and keep him hydrated... Do i just let this thing run its course?? HELP!!! Thanks in advance.... God bless... :aimeeyork:(

Please get him to an ER vet asap. It sounds like he is in some serious trouble.

I would strongly advise getting Nutrical...it will help him from getting hypoglycemia especially if he is having trouble staying hydrated.

I'd go to a different ER Vet than you did before as they don't really seemed too concerned. I'll be thinking of your baby.:(

Is there a different ER vet you can take him to?? It sounds like he might need an IV at this point. I'll be praying for him. :(

If not a different vet, then take him back to the ER vet and demand they hospitalize and stabilize him.

I am so sorry your pup is having problems. If you haven't already, please call the vet and describe what you are seeing. This is NOT normal to not be getting better.

Your pup is very young and very small, and can go down very fast. Do you have Nutrical (used to treat hypoglycemia in puppies)? It is better than sugar water. No one on this site can give you advice as a replacement for a call to the vet. If the pup is going downhill he may need to be at the vet's on IV.

I am including some information on hypoglycemia that a Yorkie breeder gives to her new owners, so you will understand this:

[Hypoglycemia is a common problem in small breed dogs like Yorkshire Terriers. The definition, symptoms, and treatment for hypoglycemia is outlined.

Hypoglycemia is a common ailment in toy breed dogs like Yorkies. Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. The pancreas makes the hormone insulin, when there is too much insulin the body can develop hypoglycemia. Yorkies and other toy breed dogs can develop hypoglycemia even when they are healthy because they don't have the fat stores to use for energy, and their liver can not produce enough sugar to use as energy.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia: Symptoms include but are not limited to: Slow heartbeat and breathing, weak, sleepy, disoriented, wobbly, glassy eyed, and seizures. In some cases pets may lose consciousness and fall into a coma. Pets can die from hypoglycemia if they do not receive treatment.

Diagnosing hypoglycemia: Your veterinarian can diagnose hypoglycemia with a quick blood test that checks your pets blood glucose or blood sugar.

Treatment: Staying consistent with a feeding and exercise schedule will help avoid the dangers of hypoglycemia. If you are worried about your pets blood sugar levels, for hypoglycemia: If you notice your pet is acting wobbly or weak try giving some treats or canned food, anything you know your pet will eat. If your pet won't eat, try giving it some sugar, Karo syrup works the best. Rub the syrup on the gums and under the tongue if your pet is unconscious. If your pet is not unconscious and can swallow you can give the sugar with a needleless syringe. If your pets blood sugar drops it may also begin to suffer with hypothermia, so you'll need to help keep your cat or dog warm with a hot water bottle and blankets. A milk jug filled with steaming hot water makes a good hot water bottle in a pinch. This treatment can also work with puppies and kittens who are failing to thrive. After giving initial first aid get your pet to your veterinarian immediately.

Diabetics and hypoglycemia: If diabetics are given to much insulin they can develop hypoglycemia. Diabetic pet owners should monitor their dog or cat closely for signs of hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia call your veterinarian.

Additional information: If you own a toy breed dog you should feed 3 small meals a day to help avoid hypoglycemia. Some owners mix Karo syrup in the drinking water, if you do this the water should be changed daily to avoid bacteria growth. Hypoglycemia is very dangerous and can kill a dog or cat if left without treatment.]

If it's not already, I think this article would make a good sticky. It certainly taught me some things I did not know yet.

Thanks!

I thought there was a sticky about hypoglycemia but couldn't find it. So I did a search on YT and copied this from a post by YT member/breeder Breny.

I hope the little pup is going to the vet, it doesn't sound good for a young tiny one.

I've said some prayers for your puppy, I'd say take him back to the vet and do not leave until they have your baby stabilized and can explain things better for you. Good luck and keep us posted...

You said he has the tremors. Have you taken his temperature? You need to take it rectally for most accuracy. If he is shaking, he may have a fever. Make sure he is getting water in him, more than anything until you can get to a vet. My dog's been vomiting and had bloody diarrhea all day today. I gave him just a dab of Nutrical and mixed it a small amount of water I thought this would give him a grater likelihood of getting water in him. He quite like this.

Just saw your thread and felt so sad for your little puppy and you. I hope by the time you read this you have gotten the pup back to the vet/another vet and gotten some treatment. I have treated rescue dogs for this disease and often it does involve return trips to the vet if you are not set up at home to deal with the symptoms that arise from all the diarrhea, fluid loss, etc. one of which is hypoglycemia. I am praying for you and your little puppy and hope that he has made it through this bad episode.

I agree that that post should be a sticky. Very well done - thank you, MauiGirl and Breny.

Thank you all sooo much!!!
 

We just got home 1 member less of our family =( he has been hospitalized... We went back to the er vet we went to lastnight and they were horribly rude and pretty much told us there was nothing they could do besides euthanize him without a rediculously large payment up front.... We have already dished out 500 dollars the past 3 days and 200 of it went to them!!!! Absolutly rediculous!!! So i will be complaining to someone higher up about this, myself and my partner were completely hysterical and all the vet could tell us is that she couldnt help us unless we wanted to put him down with no compassion in her eyes or her voice... She is def in the wrong profession!!! So we called another 24 hr vet and they ran our card and are taking a post dated check (thank god they are our angels) they were very compassionate and concerned for our baby money is really no issue when it comes to our babies but sometimes you get in a pinch and something gets thrown at you that throws you for a loop, but all i want is for our baby to be well and bouncing around as his usually hyper happy self... Rightly so they should have been worried, his bs was 36!!!! Even with feeding and giving sugar water every 3-4 hours!!! They gave us all the worst case senario's talking about him possibly being a shunt baby??? Thats another thing that ive never heard of and may possibly have questions about in the near future... So they are keeping him for treatment he is on iv fluids and fluids to get his sugars back up to where they are supposed to be... They will also be running a panel of bloodwork and xrays to see if there are underlying problems besides the coccidia... I can not thank you all enough for your prayers and concern for our little doodle... And the responses i got back really touched my heart what a wonderful community this is for our new little guys and gals and their new and apparrently clueless owners like myself lol... I am learning as i go and id like to thank you all so much from the bottom of my heart and please keep our baby in your prayers, thats what is going to make him bettter <3

:ghug:

Oh, I am so sorry to hear all that you are going through with that awful vet and letting this baby of yours get so bad without telling you what to do for low blood sugar, etc., but it sounds like Doodle is in good hands now and getting the treatment his poor little body needs. Thank goodness you went to another vet!

You all have sure been through it and just know there are many here on YT who will be praying and pulling for Doodle and you. Please keep updating when you can after you get some rest! Hugs to you from Tibbe and me and take care.

Thank God he is under vet care on IV. It will make a world of difference. You did exactly the right thing by taking him in, and not waiting. Good for you!

I am so sorry you have to go thru all this, and were treated so rudely at the ER vet. What a rough start.

Coccidia is fairly common in puppies and very much treatable, especially when you catch it early. One of my pups came home with it. I read that when they are fighting off a bacteria etc. that drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia) can occur more easily. It is also common in the tiny ones like your little guy.

I pray that little Doodle will make a speedy recovery. Hope he's back to his normal self tomorrow and ready to come back home.

Oh your poor baby, I'm glad you took him to a diff vet as the 1st one sounds terrible. I will be praying for your little one & looking forward to updates, especially the one that says he's home & much better.

I am so sorry. I went through a similar situation in December with my first Yorkie puppy. She had giardia and 2 days after I got her she began having seizures and ended up dying..those parasites are nasty things. It is good that you got your baby to the vet in time. There is hope for him! I will keep him in my prayers tonight.

Thank you all so much!!! I am having much difficulty trying to get to sleep because im so worried =/ but me and the rest of our critters are going to try and get some rest... Thank you again so much and keep praying for us <3

SO glad he is at the vet hospital getting the care he needs. He is blessed to have a loving and caring family. At least you know you are doing all you can. Big hugs and prayers to all of you.

Prayers for your puppy. Sounds like he is in goods hands now.

Sending healing hugs and prayers your way. I'm so glad you were able to find a vet who can help.

Can't believe the experience you had at the first vet! It is so terrifying to have such a tiny child who is sick and can't tell you where they hurt - and then someone treats you like that!!!:mad: So glad to hear you found another vet and that they are treating you and your little one well! :thumbup: It sounds like this new vet is much better equipped to help your little one!

Reading your thread....and I didn't read what type of med they gave your baby for the coccidia....If it is Albon you can't prescribe any other med with it. It will cause severe reactions. This happened to me several years ago with a pup I purchased. Can they be saved, yes, but with the right treatment.

I am so sorry you are going through all of this with your little one. I will be keeping him in my prayers. SO glad you have him at another vet!

So sorry your little one is sick they are so helpless and so sweet. hugs to you

Our prayers go out to you and little Doodle. Thank God you got him to a good vet. Some vets are just money hungry and have no compassion for animals I don't know why and how they ever got treating animals.
We have our fingers and paws crossed for Doodles
Love From Zoe, Zach, Cleo, Chloe and Oliver

Im so sorry. Praying for baby doodle.

He is so young. You mentioned he is bf to your other dog. How old was doodle when you brought him home and who was the breeder that released him so young? Did he come with a health guarantee against congenital issues? Have you contacted the breeder?

Praying against being a liver shunt baby.

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with not only the your sick baby but an insensitive vet as well. I'm so glad you were able to find another vet to help your baby.

I'll be praying for your babies speedy recovery!

I am glad you took Doodles to another vet and he is getting the treatment he needs. I will keep him in my prayers.

Last night must have been pretty rough on you. Hope things are improving today, and that you will update us here whenever you can. You will find that the members here on YorkieTalk truly care about your little Doddle, and we will be thinking about him and praying for him until he is well.

Be sure to mention to your regular vet that you have another dog in the house, and it may be wise to take a fecal sample from that dog to be checked in case it also needs to be treated for coccidia. Did the vet give you instructions on thoroughly cleaning where the puppy has pooped, so coccidia won't be spread?

Another thing I thought of in the middle of the night is that with a very tiny pup such as yours, over exertion can also bring on hypoglycemia. You need to limit the amount of play he has with your older pup until he is older and bigger.

You are probably going to hear this a lot on here, but a responsible breeder does not release Yorkies to their new home until they are 12 weeks old, and ideally at least 2 lbs. At 10 weeks and 1.3 lbs. you have a very young tiny baby, which comes with a lot of responsibility. The breeder should have prepared you to recognize and treat hypoglycemia and dehydration, and should have already had a fecal test done and would have known about the coccidia.

I want to commend you however on promptly getting Doddle to a vet for treatment even though it is costly, and in the middle of the night. Without that he likely wouldn't have made it thru the night (and I'm assuming he has since I haven't heard different).

Sending hugs your way, and anxiously waiting to hear more news.