An Unhappy Saturday Evening

[Felina]

It?s amazing how fast these little yorkies can go downhill from being a healthy, active ?livewire? to a lethargic puppy leaving owners mystified as to the cause. On Friday afternoon Toby had his well puppy check-up and was pronounced in good health with no heartworms or internal parasites. By Saturday evening, we were sitting in the Central Veterinary Emergency Hospital being told they may keep him overnight.

What began as looser and looser diarrhea also turned into not eating or drinking water by Saturday afternoon. (And why is it animals always get the sickest or injured when their regular vet?s office is closed?) I was very happy to find out though when calling my vet?s office after hours they had a number to reach them and leave a message.

Toby?s regular vet had called us back within 10 minutes and we were able to talk out his condition with his own doctor and get his advice. Also on the recording were numbers and addresses to two emergency vet hospitals in our area so we were able to contact them quickly as well. (This could be key in an accident situation). Since these guys are so small, we were advised to take Toby into the emergency vet?s instead of waiting until Monday. (Dehydration is quick to overtake these small guys).

Once arriving at the emergency hospital, we were waiting in the front lobby with two hit and run patients, one small chocolate lab and a small black haired dog named Sara. All of us were quickly seen by the vet working that evening and he had his staff scurrying around to treat the most critical, Sara, and getting tests done on everyone.

Unfortunately though Sara didn?t make it and her owners had to put her to sleep. She had a broken pelvis, back and internal bleeding. (And that?s just the stuff we heard of from the front lobby). Naturally her young owner was devastated and kept blaming herself although Sara had dug under her fence and got loose when she was struck by the car. (The driver never even stopped but kept going). The loud sobbing had me crying in the waiting room. It was also sad to see her paying a vet bill for $492 on her way out carrying poor Sara?s body. (That has me rethinking about pet insurance).

After a couple hours, Toby was able to return home having had some IV fluids, a couple injections, a few lab tests and some syrup and pills to take at home for the next week. He basically had a touch of colitis. (And mom and dad were minus $290).

So a reminder to everyone, especially us city dwellers, to please check your fence lines often. It doesn?t take them long to dig out and escape and once out of your yard it?s a cruel world for a lone dog. Also, know where your nearest emergency vet hospital is in case of emergency.

Please say a prayer for Sara and her owner. RIP Sara

[JeanieK]

That is so sad, How can they charge almost $500 for doing nothing for that dog. Xrays don't cost that much and neither does euthanizing. those people must be heartless.

[ldenise]

how nice of you to ask for prayers for sara and her owner. I will say prayers for her and owner and also for you and toby.

[psvidesigner]

What a sad situation. We had that experience too at the er vet. Mimi had broken her leg and while we waited a family was in with their cat. She had broken pelvis. They could not come up with the money to hospitalize her so they had to put her to sleep. I would just be heart broken. I had been on the fence and doing research about pet insurance. After almost 3,000.00 we now have it through aspca.

[LaviniaHyacynth]

Awww, I am glad your puppy is feeling better. I have an amazing vet....since Vivi has a liver shunt we are in his office on a regular basis. THe great thing about him... besides his knowledge and apparent love for animals... is that he will meet me in his office at any time of the night and then charge his regular rates....to avoid the overpriced rates of emergency vets. THey really take advantage of the fact that the pet owner is in a crisis with no where else to turn. I am forever grateful for Dr. Ashmore....he has saved Vivi on more than one occasion. Last Sunday we were in his office at 10pm....another crisis and he pulled her through. Finally this week she is feeling a bit better.