My baby is very sick :(

[LylasMommy]

Originally Posted by ladyjane

The difference between your tiny patients and your tiny pup is that your patients are under the care of a MD.....your pup was not under the care of a DVM and did not have the benefit of the diagnostic testing that your tiny human patients have and I that believe were in order just based upon the description that you gave of her condition.

Any nurse will tell you that yes, a patient is legally "under the care" of an MD, but that doctor spends a total of maybe two minutes with the patient in a single day. That's what NURSES are for! We are at the bedside constantly, monitoring the patient and being the eyes and ears for the doctors. They count on us to alert them when something is wrong, they depend on our skills at recognizing a problem early!

My Lyla was "under the care" of a vet as much as my human patients are under a doctor; she saw one and I was invited to call them if her condition changed. Also, the vet did not feel that diagnostic testing would be beneficial in her case, or I would have agreed to it. He felt her fluid status was very good based on his exam, and didn't even give her the subcutaneous fluid bolus he had originally written up on the estimate. That was HIS call, not mine.

I'm just saying, I am here looking at this puppy. She was tired but didn't appear to be on death's door. I knew that could change very quickly which is why I watched her so very closely, I'd wager I watched her more closely than the vet's office would have been able to. I did what I felt was the best thing FOR LYLA based on the circumstances at the time, and was prepared to take her back to the vet if things changed.

Let me also say that I would NOT recommend anyone else do what I did. I have a skill set and experience that allowed me to assess her condition and treat her in a way that most people probably cannot.

Now........our potty training has pretty much gone out the window since she has been sick, so I'm back at square one on that.

I have a Potty Training Puppy Apartment (PTPA)....anyone have experience with one of these?

[megansmomma]

Originally Posted by LylasMommy

. Any nurse will tell you that yes, a patient is legally "under the care" of an MD, but that doctor spends a total of maybe two minutes with the patient in a single day. That's what NURSES are for! We are at the bedside constantly, monitoring the patient and being the eyes and ears for the doctors. They count on us to alert them when something is wrong, they depend on our skills at recognizing a problem early!

My Lyla was "under the care" of a vet as much as my human patients are under a doctor; she saw one and I was invited to call them if her condition changed. Also, the vet did not feel that diagnostic testing would be beneficial in her case, or I would have agreed to it. He felt her fluid status was very good based on his exam, and didn't even give her the subcutaneous fluid bolus he had originally written up on the estimate. That was HIS call, not mine.

I'm just saying, I am here looking at this puppy. She was tired but didn't appear to be on death's door. I knew that could change very quickly which is why I watched her so very closely, I'd wager I watched her more closely than the vet's office would have been able to. I did what I felt was the best thing FOR LYLA based on the circumstances at the time, and was prepared to take her back to the vet if things changed.

Let me also say that I would NOT recommend anyone else do what I did. I have a skill set and experience that allowed me to assess her condition and treat her in a way that most people probably cannot.

Now........our potty training has pretty much gone out the window since she has been sick, so I'm back at square one on that.

I have a Potty Training Puppy Apartment (PTPA)....anyone have experience with one of these?

LoL.....you didn't just go there......

Glad she's feeling better.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by LylasMommy

Any nurse will tell you that yes, a patient is legally "under the care" of an MD, but that doctor spends a total of maybe two minutes with the patient in a single day. That's what NURSES are for! We are at the bedside constantly, monitoring the patient and being the eyes and ears for the doctors. They count on us to alert them when something is wrong, they depend on our skills at recognizing a problem early!

My Lyla was "under the care" of a vet as much as my human patients are under a doctor; she saw one and I was invited to call them if her condition changed. Also, the vet did not feel that diagnostic testing would be beneficial in her case, or I would have agreed to it. He felt her fluid status was very good based on his exam, and didn't even give her the subcutaneous fluid bolus he had originally written up on the estimate. That was HIS call, not mine.

I'm just saying, I am here looking at this puppy. She was tired but didn't appear to be on death's door. I knew that could change very quickly which is why I watched her so very closely, I'd wager I watched her more closely than the vet's office would have been able to. I did what I felt was the best thing FOR LYLA based on the circumstances at the time, and was prepared to take her back to the vet if things changed.

Let me also say that I would NOT recommend anyone else do what I did. I have a skill set and experience that allowed me to assess her condition and treat her in a way that most people probably cannot.

Now........our potty training has pretty much gone out the window since she has been sick, so I'm back at square one on that.

I have a Potty Training Puppy Apartment (PTPA)....anyone have experience with one of these?

Well this nurse isn't going there. The symptoms you described were either worse than what was really going on or you just witnessed a miracle cure. Not much more I can say.

As to the second paragraph, I am speechless.

BUT you are correct. To anyone reading this thread, please do not believe that anyone has the skill set to treat a sick, sick pup without the benefit of advanced diagnostics. IF you have a puppy who has had vomiting and diarrhea for hours on end to where it is wobbling when it walks, it needs the care of a vet. Period. End of my posting on this thread.

[Rhetts_mama]

So, you are a NICU nurse? So am I, with over 25 years experience. I can tell you that all of my knowledge and exeperience doesn't mean squat when it comes to these small dogs. I am great at detecting changes, but I would never presume that I had a better handle on a situation than their vet. We work together to make sure that my dogs are being treated appropriately. Refusing IV fluids when a tiny, at risk pup is exhibiting signs of dehydration makes no sense to me. There comes a point with these little ones that oral hydration is no longer an option, their intestines become too irritated to absorb the fluids and electrolytes. And if that occurs, hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalances, seizures and death are very real possibilities. Sub Q fluids can turn a situation around before it becomes tragic. Not to mention, treating the dehydration properly can save the pup many uncomfortable hours.

[chachi]

To the OP what I said wasnt with any experience. My chachi had diahrea for 2 days when he was 8 weeks old and 1`lb big and had to have fluids because he was dehydrated.













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[matese]

I am soooo happy to read lil Lyla is on the road to recovery. They are such precious lil babies. Good luck with your wee lil baby.

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by LylasMommy

Why? Because I don't trust my vet. He was wrong about the Parvo. As you know, even many vets are not familiar with the subtleties of yorkies, and I suspect there are people here who have been through this before and know what works for these little guys. Also, the vet's office was very "ghetto" to me, didn't inspire my confidence, and I wasn't comfortable there so I will go back to my original vet from now on and just deal with "Ms. Personality" as best I can when I have to talk to her. The vets there I thought were good and very knowledgeable. Lyla has an appointment there on the 28th for her next set of shots.

Thank you for your good wishes!

I hate to place more focus on this, but please don't use slurs like "ghetto" to describe something here - there are connotations to that which can be offensive. We'd appreciate it if you just used regular words to describe your feelings about the vet office or whatever else. Thank you.

As far as this situation, my bach degree is in nursing though I'm not currently practicing - and I wouldn't and don't trust my skills when it comes to fully caring for these kiddos. Dogs are different creatures, and PUPPIES are entirely different than adult dogs in terms of assessment and treatment and vulnerability. It's your pup, and you have to make the choices you believe are the correct ones, however, my opinion is still that this pup should've been at the vet getting more support and diagnostics, if/when needed.

[kimp5]

I'm just happy your pup is okay. You did what you think is best. Its your pup, your decision. Others may have acted differently but you have the right to do what you feel is best and I respect that. Enjoy your baby. Message me if you want my take on the puppy apartment. I used one..

[chachi]

Originally Posted by kimp5

I'm just happy your pup is okay. You did what you think is best. Its your pup, your decision. Others may have acted differently but you have the right to do what you feel is best and I respect that. Enjoy your baby. Message me if you want my take on the puppy apartment. I used one..

She can do whatever she wants and she did but it is important for anyone else reading to know not to do the same thing she did it worked out for her but it could have went the other way and been deadly. We have seen situations like this turn deadly on here so maybe we are just passionate about it

[Euro]

My Benji seems much better today. Praying no more blood.

[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by chachi

She can do whatever she wants and she did but it is important for anyone else reading to know not to do the same thing she did it worked out for her but it could have went the other way and been deadly. We have seen situations like this turn deadly on here so maybe we are just passionate about it

Exactly and I have to wonder why a person would post something like that saying they don't trust a vet yet they would ask the opinion of online strangers. I will stop short of saying the description was not truthful; but I DO believe it was not as bad as it was made to sound. Let us not forget she told us in the other thread that the pup had taken a turn for the worse. No way with her description of what was going on over 24 hours would it have turned out this well this quickly. Not with a one pound puppy. Just not buying it and I caution anyone reading this thread to take their pup to a vet with hours and/or days of diarrhea and vomiting that leads to a wobbly gait.

Sadly, yes people have a right to do all sorts of things to the pups in their care. The pups are considered property in most states and are not well protected. They don't have rights.

[LylasMommy]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

So, you are a NICU nurse? So am I, with over 25 years experience. I can tell you that all of my knowledge and exeperience doesn't mean squat when it comes to these small dogs. I am great at detecting changes, but I would never presume that I had a better handle on a situation than their vet. We work together to make sure that my dogs are being treated appropriately. Refusing IV fluids when a tiny, at risk pup is exhibiting signs of dehydration makes no sense to me. There comes a point with these little ones that oral hydration is no longer an option, their intestines become too irritated to absorb the fluids and electrolytes. And if that occurs, hypoglycemia, electrolyte imbalances, seizures and death are very real possibilities. Sub Q fluids can turn a situation around before it becomes tragic. Not to mention, treating the dehydration properly can save the pup many uncomfortable hours.

It is possible that you didn't thoroughly read my post. Lyla was NOT dehydrated. I don't know how to say it any more clearly than that. She was drinking and urinating well, her skin turgor was good, and mucus membranes were moist. The vet originally wrote up an estimate that included a sub-Q fluid bolus, but he opted not to do it BECAUSE SHE WAS WELL-HYDRATED IN HIS OPINION.

The other estimate he wrote up included hospitalization. It included ALL the meds I went home with and the testing he wanted done; the only difference was IV fluids and "observation." Since she was not requiring fluids at that time, I made the call to observe her at home where she would be more comfortable and less stressed.

I made an educated call. The vet didn't insist she stay; he wrote up both estimates for me ahead of time and gave me the option. I believe I made the right decision for Lyla. If she had Parvo, she might have died whether she was at the vet's or came home, the vet said there was no guarantee either way. If Lyla started showing signs of dehydration or poor intake I would have taken her back to the vet immediately.

Honestly people, I AM NOT THE DEVIL and I do love my dog! I think many of you, if you had seen her and listened to what the vet had to say, would have done the same in my place.

I am amazed and grateful beyond words that she made such a rapid turnaround. For those of you who supported my decision, I thank you. For those who did not, I hope we can still be friends.

To ALL: I apologize for use of the word "ghetto." It's a word my older children often use and it didn't occur to me that it could be offensive to some. I am deeply sorry if I offended anyone, and will more carefully choose my words in the future.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Euro

My Benji seems much better today. Praying no more blood.

Great... I asked the mod to make a separate thread for you... it's here:

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/sic...ody-stool.html

so you can post any updates and get more opinions!

[LylasMommy]

The vet called today to say that Lyla's stool sample was positive for coccidiosis. He said he can't say for certain why Lyla was so sick, but coccidia alone is enough to explain her symptoms, and he switched her to a different medication.

Lyla is drinking and eating well, is back on her Wellness small breed puppy kibble, has had no more vomiting or diarrhea, and is getting short naps in between her rough-housing with anyone who will give her attention!

Thank you all for your input and well-wishes for my precious baby.

[kjc]

Great news! Glad she's bouncing back. I have read about other sick small pups not doing well after being wormed... too young or maybe not needed? IDK...