Sick, 1.1 pound puppy is lethargic, not eating/drinking. Please help!!!

[Ringo1]

I'm hoping and praying that little Bella pulls through despite this rough start in life she is getting.

Certainly, I hope that the breeder who sold her to you at such a young age - plans on helping with all the Vet costs.

I don't know anything about puppies that young so I will leave the advice to the experts. I am praying for Bella. Sure would like to see her make it and thrive.

[Ringo1]

Originally Posted by sweetyorkie

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!

You might want to start your own thread in this forum to generate more responses.

We are definitely familiar with liver shunt, etc - many dogs here have them; have had surgery, etc.

IF it has been determined that her shunt is severe enough to need surgery; then she will need that to survive. Have you checked into Care Credit?

Another option to try and save her life - is to consider turning her over to a reputable yorkie rescue who have the resources to pay for surgeries such as this.

I will pray that you find a way for Bridgett.

[Bella dolce]

Originally Posted by Ringo1

You might want to start your own thread in this forum to generate more responses.

We are definitely familiar with liver shunt, etc - many dogs here have them; have had surgery, etc.

IF it has been determined that her shunt is severe enough to need surgery; then she will need that to survive. Have you checked into Care Credit?

Another option to try and save her life - is to consider turning her over to a reputable yorkie rescue who have the resources to pay for surgeries such as this.

I will pray that you find a way for Bridgett.

OMG- I am so sorry for what you and baby Bridgett are going through! It is such a tough start to our babies lives being that they are both so sick. I will pray for Bridgett and definitely have the vet check her for the liver shunt. I pray she does not have it. What is Bridgett eating now? Anything at all or do you force feed her? Best wishes....

[Bella dolce]

Hello guys! Bella Dolce finally got her catheter out today. She actually played a bit tonight and last night with my son's fingers like she used to and walked around her playpen area more than she's been doing. She is still very, very anorexic and still not eating on her own. She will only occasionally drink water on her own and likes the caro syrup I give her to prevent another hypoglcemic episode. Today at the vet her blood sugar was normal, temp normal and she's back up to 1.1 pounds. With the wonderful sage advice from our Carmen in NJ, I've been feeding her a liver pate with goat's milk and some of her regular A/D food mixed in via syringe every 2-3 hours around the clock. She doesn't like it at all. The original vet seems to think she's developed an aversion to food- but I feel that there is another more potent root cause for this.

The breeder has turned out to be a jerk- (sorry). He will not give refunds or financial help with the bills (we've already spent $600 in one week for vet bills and still don't know why she isn't eating). The breeder has only offered to take Bella back to care for her and he says he can bring her back to good health and that she might "feel better" around the other puppies he has.We would only do this as a last resort. My two options are: try the new vet tomorrow (appt is at 11am) and get her take on Bella; 2) Watch, feed and wait to monitor her over the next week to see if she gets her appetite back. I was able to speak with the new Vet today via phone as she comes highly recommended by one of my clients. I told her the entire story, also got the vet records from banfield to take with me. I don't know how expensive it will be- but it can't be cheap I'm sure!!!

We have fallen so in love with Bella- that it would break our hearts to send her back to the breeder. He hasn't once called to check on her or anything!! I don't trust him at all...Bella would probably not survive with him although he claims to have many special cures for puppy problems.

I will inquire about testing for Liver shunts tomorrow and pray that Bella doesn't have it.

Just wanted to update everyone because you've been so good to us and so thoughtful. Thank you.

[DvlshAngel985]

I find it interesting how the breeder has "special cures for puppies" but he doesn't share them with you. Don't send her back. I think she'll be better off in your care. You're goin above and beyond to get Bella back to a healthy state.

[carmen in nj]

"special Cures" wow, then he must be a SUPER Breeder, because non of us, NORMAL ones, claim to have special cures... he is a VERY irresponsible breeder that sold a 4 week puppy, girl I hope your new vet can get to the bottom of her non eating, please keep in touch, I am asking around the breeding group I belong and my son is a Vet Tech I asked him to talk to his boss about this case..
sending prayers your way...
hugs,

[Patti]

It sounds like Bella is in good hands and I pray she will continue to improve.

[concretegurl]

Originally Posted by sweetyorkie

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!

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by Bella dolce

The Vet called and Baby Bella has Coccidia (sp?). They're keeping her until 7pm tonight. IV fluids are in and she is a bit more active. I'm still very scared and depressed about our baby's health. Anyone have any experience or knowledge treating puppies this young with CoccidIa? I will get goats milk today and finger feed her the paste. They've prescribed a high calorie soft food by Royal Canin. I just don't know how to keep her hydrated and fed when she comes home. Help?

Tell them to keep her in the hospital until she's 12 weeks. No really...not trying to be rude, but where did you get a pup at 4 weeks? Even pet stores don't sell that young.

[BabyFidgette]

For one puppies are stubborn eaters anyway that's why they are prone to hypoglycemia. But since she is on antibiotics that may be upsetting her little tummy causing her not to want to eat either.


[quote=Bella dolce;3798369]

Originally Posted by dawn27

It's good to hear that she is doing better and has had a good poo. The warm goats milk is the best thing for her. It's the closes thing to bitches milk that you can get and it is good for them.

What has your vet said about her not wanting to eat? Does he think that there may be some other concern there that may be the cause? It seems strange that she doesn't want to eat and has to be forces to.

If her little rump get to be too swollen or inflamed do to the diarrhea you may want to clean her up with a warm soapy wash cloth. If that does not work you may need to soak her bottom in some warm water in the sink to loosen the stool. I had this problem with a couple of pups from a litter once and after I got them all cleaned up I applied some A&D ointment. The next day they swellling was gone and bottems were all better.

Hi Dawn,

I too am perplexed as to why Bella won't eat and has to be force fed. Do puppies develop a resistance to food when sick- is this normal? She only drank the hosts milk freely on the first day we offered it to her. Since then, she hasn't drank it on her own. Every now and then she will drink water from her bowl. Her poops are getting fewer, although they are still like pudding, which in itself is an improvement. She goes back to the vet on Monday afternoon.

Thanks for the tip about the ointment! I've been applying it once a day or so.

[BabyFidgette]

Please don't give her back to that greeder to "help" for any reason! He will kill her I just know it. Please don't do it. You sound like you are doing everything you can.

[chachi]

I hope your Bella improves. I would take the breeder to small claims court to recoup some of the costs for vet care. It is just complete uncaring for the pups for him to send them to their new homes at that age. He is a greeder in every sense of the word. I believe in my 6 yrs here this is the youngest I have ever heard of a breeder sending the pup into its forever home. There are laws in some states that they cant go untill 8 weeks. Im sorry no new owner should be faced with this. I will continue to keep Bella in my good thoughts and prayers

[chachi]

Also do a review of the breeder in the breeder review section. Everyone should be informed not to buy from him

[carmen in nj]

Situations like this Brake my heart, Chaunda sent me a picture of little Bella and my 15 day old newborns look bigger than her, she is so tiny and thin, I sent a massive email to my breeder support group asking for help, at least with the liver broth, pate and goats milk and pedialyte she gain a little weight back, but I NEVER heard of a breeder selling a 4 week old puppy..
I am trying very hard to help her, your prayers are doing good too, please keep them up..
hugs,

[Taryn0405]

Was thinking about little Bella all night last night (the woes of an insomniac). Hoping she's at another vet and you're getting some answers.

Bless you Carmen for following this thread and helping. I pray this little one becomes a meatball as well.