Thanks for the update. Glad she made it through this episode. Continued prayers.

Thanks for the update Carmen and thanks for helping this little one through this...I don't think she would have made it if you didn't offer all your expertise. I hope she continues to thrive.

Ohhhh Bella, come on Baby girl! Chaundra I hope all is good today, I keep you both in thoughts and prayers.

Carmen, you are an absolute doll!

Update soon, pleaseee!

Lynn

Hi guys- what a weekend! It was so scary finding baby bella in a hypoglycemic episode yesterday. She'd fallen flat on her tummy legs splayed out when I found her. I was able to revive her a bit, although while crying and in shock. Got her to the vet. She was again on IV fluids all day. The real problem is that for one entire week Bella has had no appetite at ALL!!! She simply will not eat on her own. Will drink her water on occasion. So to me, there has to be some reason for this which the Banfield vets have no clue about. I'm not crazy about banfield hospital but we bought the Wellness plan to cover office visits, spaying and shots for her first year. However, I am thinking of taking her to an independent vet tomorrow to get another opinion. What are your thoughts on this? We are not rich and have so far spent an additional $600 on Bella's vet bills this week alone. As for the breeder, who takes no responsibility for her having Coccidia, I still blame him for selling Bella away from her mommy too soon and lying about her age. We would have gladly waited 2 more months for her. Instead, she's been suffering and we have been in emotional pain watching her feel so bad. The one year health guarantee says the breeder will replace the puppy at his discretion. The breeders are John and Okie Kang of Kang's farm in Social Circle, GA. Ever Heard of them? We found them on Oodle Tampa Classifieds - Search Tampa Classifieds and Post Free Classifieds.

So I've been on baby duty for the night shift for 3 weeks & I am physically and emotionally drained. I am just waking up for the day while my husband and daughter have taken over this morning. Not sure how much longer I can endure!! Never expected to have a sick puppy with all we have going on. This is our very first pet ever. I own my own business, hubby works full time, all 3 kids are in school- it's a nuthouse around here!!!

With all the venting out of the way- please forgive my new mommy-sleep deprives- emotional tantrum!!!! LOL WE remain determined to help Bella get well. We don't want a different puppy, we want her to be healthy. My hubby is calling the breeder again today- what should we say to him? I know the hypoglycemia wasn't his fault, but if she'd never been infected with Coccidia, she would still have her appetite! Any advice on how to best communicate with the breeder is so needed.

Further, anyone with experience with babies who completely refuse food?? what types of health issues might cause this? How expensive could this be to determine the cause? How much longer should we wait to take her to a different vet?

Big thanks and lots of love to Carmen who has been our guiding light thru this, as well as everyone here. We APPRECIATE YOU!!! THANK YOU AND PLS KEEP PRAYING FOR OUR BABY GIRL!! & for me--:)

PS- all tests for Giardia, Parvo and Coccidia came back negative for Bella. Protein was a little low, but she has had lots of diarrhea this week. She's slightly anemic. Her body temp had dropped to 90 degrees when we got her to emergency. While she was at the vet during the day, her blood sugar had dropped to 44. So they gave her caro syrup. Any idea why it kept dropping even while they had her on IV???

I would get a another opinion from either an independent vet or a vet specialty hospital. It would give you some peace of mind although it may be costly. At this point, I think the more proactive you are for this little one, the better. Sounds like you are doing all you can and more to help her thrive. Prayers for her continued improvement.

I am so sorry you are going through this - and also poor little Bella. Such a hard start to life. :( Depending on the laws in your state, it might not matter whether or not the breeder is taking responsibility. Selling a dog that young may be illegal in your state and the breeder may be able to be reported to animal control to be cited for this, and small claims court might be an option in the future to get some of these medical bills paid if your vet is willing to state the dog was sold w the coccidia present at the time of sale - also depending on what the laws in your state are.

I would start thinking of going to another vet. She is just so tiny and young. Maybe you could start a thread to see if there is anyone in your area who knows of a reputable vet who is AAHA accredited. I found this one http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j...I6tWlhbe7J7nRQ

but I have no exp in your area of the country w vets.

I am sure you are close to emotional and physical exhaustion. Hopefully a vet can help her through this and help you know if there are any laws or resources in your neck of the woods to help you. You are in our prayers. Please feel free to PM me if you need someone to talk to.

Just a thought, Carmen knows other breeders who are mentors. Perhaps she knows of a vet in your area or knows someone who does.

Carmen: Please correct me but: I believe young puppies aren't weened till the 5-7 weeks of age. Up til that point, they drink only Momma's milk (or goat's milk).

They can be offered mushy solid foods when the weening process is started, but they only take little bits at a time and are still dependent on the milk being the major part of their diet. (Just like a human baby)

As they grow, they will start to take more and more solid mush food as their bodies adjust to it.

So to expect a pup under 8 weeks of of age to eat solely on it's own is unrealistic. Even at 8-12 weeks of age they need to be closely supervised, as hypoglycemia is common in pups this young.

Is this pup eating the goat's milk readily? Also, at her age, she should be fed 6-8 times a day, and each time she is fed, her tummy should look nice and plump. If she's not getting enough, she may be anorexic, and you'll have to gradually force her to eat a little more each time.

If she's not pooping regularly, right before feeding her, take a cotton ball moistened with warm water and dab/wipe her butt, this will simulate her Mom cleaning her and will stimulate her to poop. Pups that don't poop won't eat. You can do the same to stimulate her to pee (use a separate cotton ball).

you are right: Puppies mature at different levels.. One at this age and size would be expected to continue nursing from its mother.

Did you see my post about offering her some puppy gruel?
Have tried to bottle feeding her?
(trying something new may be worth the effort)

What an ordeal you and your family are having to endure, I cant image what you are going through right now.

I believe that you should get a second opinion from a different vet. Maybe there is something that the vets have missed or overlooked. Have all of your information and test results in hand, which may save you some money.


I hope that you find something out about her condition soon!
Meanwhile you will be in no condition to take care of her if you dont get some rest and take care of yourself...

Every breeder weans different and as different times, I start supplementing the babies at 4 weeks, but mama still takes care of the night feeding, my bitch does not comes back to sleep in her crate in my bedroom until the puppies are 6 weeks old, then about that time she has also stoped cleaning the puppies and the area,by 8 weeks my pups are in the mush to solid food transition, which last until 10 weeks, by the time they are 12 weeks they are eating kibble mixed with raw medallions or canned food. Poor Bella probably did not had all her teeth when the Breeder sold her, this baby should be in a mush of soft food and goats milk, every 2 to 3 hours.
she had diarreah, so I did not get concerned with her pooping she is pooping.
Coccidia is very hard on a puppy, so she must be feed forced fed if necessary, at this point I would add a liver broth and pate into her feeding too, I would make a mush of liver pate, liver broth,and goats milk and use it in a few of her feedings, to make sure she is getting the most of each feeding.
Chaunda knows she can call me anytime she has a question , and I agree, I would take Bella to another Vet at the first chance if possible..
hugs,

I'm so sorry! I know exactly what you are going through, because I'm going through it with my Yorkie puppy right now. My puppy, Bridgett, was diagnosed with portosystemic liver shunt. She needs surgery to save her life, and I have been searching for organiazations that could help with the cost.
I bought her from a breeder while in Arkansas on vacation on 9-28-11. I live in California. We took our motorhome. She was 10 weeks old. After I picked her up, I noticed she was making sound, like she was choking or gaging. Turns out she had kennel cough. I called the breeder the next day. He said "she had her bordatella shot. Maybe it's your air conditioner". I didn't know "anything" about kennel cough. I just told him that we would keep an eye on her. She also didn't want to eat or drink. She also slept alot.
We we got back home to California and she kept getting worse. After having her for only one week, I took her to my vet. She had PNEUMONIA!
I treated the pneumomia at home, giving her IV fluids SQ, anitbiotics, Nutrical and other supplements I ordered.
So, just thinking the kennel cough and pneumonia had taken a toll on her health, I was wondering why she was still thin, looking poorly, unhealthy hair coat, and continuing to be dehydarated. She still never wants to eat or drink water. She was looking so bad, I took her back to my vet on 10-28-11, and told her that something was really wrong with Bridgett, and we needed to find out what was going on with her.
There were several test done, including a complete blood panel and a bile acid test. Her bile acids were "off the chart". So, my puppy has portosystemic liver shunt. It is a genetic defect that diverts blood around her liver intstead of through it. She needs surgery to survive. I contacted the breeder, and all they said was to ship her back and they would send a replacement when one comes available. Very cold! I don't want another puppy! I love Bridgett! They do not give refunds or pay vet bills.
So, until someone can offer financial help with her surgery, which is from $3000 to $6000 at UC Davis, I will continue to treat her by giving her IV fluids SQ, Lactulose, antibiotics, Nutrical, Isotone-SA, Oxydrops and fixing her "low protein" foods. I feel so helpless! She is so tired of being poked with a needle. She starts shaking when she knows what I'm going to do. She does not deserve this! It makes me sick. She is so sweet and loves life. I will not give up on her.
As far as Bella goes, I sure hope she gets well and that you find out what is going on with her. I just wanted to let you know that she might have PSS like Bridgett, and just offer a direction for you, maybe. I sure hope not! Some of her symptoms sounded the same. Good luck with your baby!

Just want to add (for others too that may come across this thread):

A homemade incubator can be made out of a small or medium sized dog kennel, the plastic kind, by placing a heating pad, set on 'low' under only half the kennel (not inside the kennel). This allows the pup to move to a cooler area if she gets too warm. Young pups normally have the extra warmth provided by being with their littermates, and warmth helps with the digestive process.

Also when feeding with syringes, I use four 3cc syringes, fill them with what ever and fit them with the rubber nipples. Then I put them in a mug filled with hot water (checked with a meat thermometer). As I am feeding, if the syringe cools down before the pup finishes, I put that syringe back into the hot water and start with another one. This way, I always have a supply of warm food throughout the feeding. (I always test a drop on my wrist before offering it to a pup).

Another thing to try is how she is positioned while feeding. Some pups like to be more on their back, some like to be more forward. Some like more contact, some less.

And definitely put Carmen's number on your speed dial!:D

i really do think that Bella needs to be seen by another vet. I've think you have exhausted all of Bannfields resources and it's time.
It's not to say that Bannfield doesn't know what they're doing, but even in the case of the dogs we had, if something was diagnosed we still got a second opinion, just like a human would do.

Still sending lots, and lots, of prayers. You're a good, responsible, and loving Momma. keep up the good work.

hugs

i would agree take her to another vet / I am so sorry that you and Bella have to go through all of this/ sending prayers for bella's recovery

I wish you lived down near Peachtree City, Ga. My vet is just wonderful. He helped me keep my sweet litttle Heidi alive for 3 1/2 yrs with acute renal failure. I am praying for you and your sweet Bella.