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

Hello! Our Baby Bella Dolce is about 6 weeks old. we've had her for 2 weeks. She has lost 3 ounces- and now weighs 1.1 pounds. For the past 2 days she has had green diarrhea. Today she vomited twice. She is lethargic, not playful, and just looks out of it. She hasn't eaten solid foods in almost 48 hours. Won't drink much either. She peed about 3 times today- bright yellow pee. We had a funeral to travel to from Atlanta and she got sick on our 2nd to last day there. Took her to the vet this morning (Banfield/Petsmart) in Raleigh. Parvo test was negative. Worm tests were also negative. Rectal Temp was low/normal at 99.5. They didn't know what was wrong with her! We haven't changed her food. She was on Science diet puppy ground food- not hard. She wasn't crazy about it. The vet gave her Metronidazol and some Florifauna stuff to put on her food-which won't help because she isn't eating her food! I have been giving her Pedialyte this evening- she fights me and I give it to her in a syringe along with Nutri-Cal. She doesn't like either. I am so scared and I don't want to lose her. What do you think could be the problem? She's not been around any other dogs. Should I take her back to the vet in the morning? Could she need an IV drip or blood tests? Can she survive without solid foods? She's so tiny. What signs do I need to look for to tell if she's getting worse or critically ill? Shouldn't the vet have done more for her? Please- help us- I'm not sure what else to do?

Urgent response please read...
 

Ok let me start by saying I am very sorry for what you are going through and I truly hope this poor baby Bella is restored to health quickly..

Now if I am to understand this right you have a 6 week old puppy and you have had her for 2 weeks? This would mean she was taken from her mother at 4 weeks? If this is true, I can tell you what is wrong and I can't imagine the vet did not? This puppy was removed (not weaned) from her mother WAY TOO SOON. I raised 25 fine black lab pups, I never ever let one go at 4 weeks, 6 weeks or even 8 weeks. All my pups stayed for 10 minimum, and some longer. Puppies get important nutrition and immunities from their mothers milk, they need this time with their mother, period.

You need to get this poor baby to an emergency qualified vet where she can be properly evaluated and properly cared for. Run, literally. PLEASE.

Good Luck and please let us know how this turns out. Please do your homework in the future, the breeders who took this poor baby and gave her to you should not breed EVER again.

Lynn

Urgent response please read...
 

Ok let me start by saying I am very sorry for what you are going through and I truly hope this poor baby Bella is restored to health quickly..

Now if I am to understand this right you have a 6 week old puppy and you have had her for 2 weeks? This would mean she was taken from her mother at 4 weeks? If this is true, I can tell you what is wrong and I can't imagine the vet did not? This puppy was removed (not weaned) from her mother WAY TOO SOON. I raised 25 fine black lab pups, I never ever let one go at 4 weeks, 6 weeks or even 8 weeks. All my pups stayed for 10 minimum, and some longer. Puppies get important nutrition and immunities from their mothers milk, they need this time with their mother, period.

You need to get this poor baby to an emergency qualified vet where she can be properly evaluated and properly cared for. Run, literally. PLEASE.

Good Luck and please let us know how this turns out. Please do your homework in the future, the breeders who took this poor baby and gave her to you should not breed EVER again.

Lynn

Hi. I'm so sorry you are going through this. She's so young to be away from her mother. I would go to another vet asap... I don't have much confidence in the one you saw based upon what you've written. Also get some nutrical and give that to her. I'll be praying for you and the pup.

Deff take her to a vet 1st thing in the A.M. & give her the nutrical throughout the night. She is & was WaY too young to be away from mom. Also try some plain boiled skinless chicken ASAP to see if she will eat. I would not wait till A.M. I would be going to an ER Tonight.

She needs nutri-cal through out the day and night to keep her blood sugars up. She also needs a good Vet and possibly to get her some Hill's A/D food and syringe feed her a little at a time about every 2 hours. A good Vet will help get that for her. She was taken from her mom way to young and is not getting the nutrients she needed.

This pup is way too young for you to have. She'd still be weaning from the mother at this age. I would be taking her to a vet (preferrably not Bannfield because I personally (IMO) no comfortable with them, and seeing if you can get a puppy milk replacement formula.
I'd also be rubbing nutrical on her gums. Hopefully a breeder will jump on this thread and give you some advice as well. I pray this little one makes it. For future reference, please know that toy breeds need to stay with their Momm unitl 12 weeks. That way they're weaned phyiscally and socially have learned what they needed to from their Momma. I'm guessing at 6 weeks his litttle teeth haven't even fully come in yet. Poor thing.

Hello everyone. Thank you got your advice. Our baby is in the hospital. She was dehydrated. The vet is testing her for a different virus, giving her IV FLUIDS and antibiotics. Please keep baby bella in your prayers.

As frightening as her being in the hospital has to be, at least she can get the fluids she desperately needs and hopefully you'll get a diagnosis that is treatable. Will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Besides everything that has been said, this puppy needs a good mush, go buy "GOATS MILK" you can find it in your supermarket or at walmart, a good can of WET PATE puppy food, and make a mix, put it in a small saucer and with your finget put some in her mouth, YOU are mama and your hand is her mama teaching her to eat and drink, if she still not eating it you need to scoop the mix with you finger and open her mouth and put it in her mouth make sure she is swallows it, you most do this at least 5 to 6 times a day, specially before bed, I will also add a ration of puppy nutracal so she can sleep the night. for water I will add a drop of Karo syrop to her water for now,she needs it to also keep her sugar levels up.
Hope this helps.
hugs,

You got the poor pup at 4 weeks she is now 6 weeks , She is too young to be away fr her mom.
I will pray for this poor pup, hope she mades it.

I'm so glad you took her in and she is getting help. For one so small and so young, it doesn't take much to make them go downhill fast. I hope they can turn this around for her.

I will be Praying for your baby. Others here have given you very good info as to feeding your pup, Please do as they suggest as your baby was taken away from mama way too soon & needs to be supplemented with other things besides puppy food.

Thank goodness you got her to the hospital. Praying for baby Bella to get strong and recover unharmed. Please keep us updated on her status.

Praying for your baby girl!! I do remember in another thread the breeder told you the puppy was 8 weeks. I am so sorry you were decieved and I am so sorry you are going through this. I do believe prayers work in numbers...there have been so many good outcomes here on YT. We will all pray for you. Hugs, Nichole, Teddy & Piper

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?

here you go.. to keep her hydrated, follow your Vets instructions very carefully here is some info on Coccidia..

Coccidiosis in dogs... by Dr. Foster and Smith..


Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that live in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. They cause disease most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).
In dogs and cats, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the species most often encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects.

How are coccidia transmitted? A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within the young animal's intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.
From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not.

What are the symptoms of coccidiosis? The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.
Most infected puppies encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.
It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. Remember, the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home.

What are the risks? Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.

What is the treatment of coccidiosis? Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon®) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen®) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. Drug treatments of one to three weeks are usually required.
How is coccidiosis prevented or controlled? Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water, or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing.
Cockroaches and flies can mechanically carry coccidia from one place to another. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when killed and eaten by a dog, for instance, can infect the dog. Therefore, insect and rodent control is very important in preventing coccidiosis.
The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.

Companion Animal Parasite Council—Coccidia in Dogs

There's some more information about coccidia the parasite. Basically I would advise not letting your baby outside or near any other dog. If you have another dog at your house, he or she is going to be need to be testing and treated for this as well.
In order to get this baby to eat you're going to have to feed her many tiems a day and theser would be questions I'd be asking your vet. How many times, how much, and methods in order to help you feed your baby. Ask teh vet is her or she can even show you how to do it.

Also, I would have nutrical and your local E.R vet number and driving directions in your possession.
Poor little baby is going to need constant care right now. Also try to keep the little one warm as well. Lots of blankets and cuddles will be needed. Alot of members here make snuggle sacks, and I would advise either a heating pad on the lowest setting, or a warm water bottle for your little one.

Good luck, keep us updated.

Oh i am so sorry your baby is sick.
I am saying a special prayer for her.

So sorry to hear you have to go through this. I have a little Bella too. Our prayers and thoughts are going out to her! Think positively. She's in good hands now and has a lot of wonderful people thinking of her. :)

Bella is such a tiny baby girl. I would also recommend if you are having to feed her the food if she is not swallowing gently stroke her throat after you feed her a small mouthful in order to get her to swallow. Also to keep her warm you can get a snuggle puppy. It has heat packs that you can place inside and a battery run heart which simulates the sound of Mom heartbeat to comfort the puppy. Amazon.com: snuggle puppy Also I would also recommend adding a probiotic to her diet as the antibiotics used to kill the coccidia also kills off the good bacteria in her stomach as well. I use Pet Dophilus Buster also had coccidia when I first got him and had many of the same symptom's a Bella. Sending prayers for her continued improvement and best wishes and hugs to her Mom. I know how scary it is when they are sick.

Bellas Mom:
 

You are awesome, great job! I am so glad that you are doing all the right things!

Right now, the most important thing is to write down EVERY SINGLE QUESTION YOU HAVE for the vet:

Feeding:
What to feed
How to feed
When to feed

Hydration:
What to use
How to use
When to use

Supplements:
Nutracal?
What else?
How often?

What to watch for, and what to do if you see any of these things.

Also, make a follow up appointment for atleast 1 week so you know that you are doing all the right things for this precious lil girl.

The second most important thing is to take care of you, you know you are doing everything and anything possible to take care of this pup, relax and trust yourself. Eat, drink and relax. Your so much better than you know and take it one day at a time, imagining the worst is far worse than going through it...you will continue to do a great job.

You should be proud of what a good job you are doing, I know I am proud of you! Hindsight is 20/20, move forward, theres nothing you can do to change what already is. Love your pup, take care of both of you and do exactly what your Vet says.

Come here often for support and post your pups progress, we are all here for you!

Now the coccidia (sp), its treatable and exactly as what was posted above, my 2lb. yorkie had it and I thought the worst and she came out ok just keep an eye on her, like you already are!

Lynn

So sorry little Bella is sick. You must be worried sick. Wishing her a speedy recovery.

I am so sorry that you and you baby Bella are having to go through this very scary and traumatic experience. Im sending you wishes and much hope for a quick recovery.

I really hope that you get the answers and the help that you need in order to give this baby a good healthy start in life.


I just can not understand is why the breeder would take this baby away from its mother at such an early age and stage in its life. Un freaken believable !! There must be something that you can do. Someone who you can call to report this person.

You have gotten a lot of good advice, please do not ever wait to take her to the vet if you feel she needs attention. It's best to be cautious.

Sending prayers that she will be okay.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Sending prayers for your baby. I hope she pulls through and I agree...err on the side of caution and if things don't seem right get to the vet immediately. I would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to the health and well being of these babies. I can't image a 4 week old baby being separated from its mommy:(

Thinking about your baby!

Hoping and praying you can nurse her back to health.

This is just so very sad:(, sending prayers this sweet baby girl can pull through.