Baby with Coccidia DESPERATE please help!!!

[AmandaY]

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...

[Bitsy]

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

[MyLilyRose]

Originally Posted by AmandaY

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...

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

[Princess10]

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.

[Bitsy]

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.

[MauiGirl]

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.]

[Princess10]

Originally Posted by MauiGirl

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!

[MauiGirl]

Originally Posted by Princess10

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.

[Baroness]

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...

[gaijingirl]

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.

[yorkietalkjilly]

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.

[AmandaY]

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

[yorkietalkjilly]

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.

[MauiGirl]

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.

[lillymae]

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.