[Charli3]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I'm new to these forums and also new to being a dog owner. My name is Chloe and I live in Melbourne Australia.

I have come for some help, My Retrievador Puppy (3 Months) Is not feeling very well, she has been having diarrhoea (4 between last night and this morning) she has also been vomitting, she vomitted last night whilst at my mums, and then twice during the night.

I am so worried about her, I rang my vet (who I've been advised is a 24hr advice service) and they just said $145 bring her in. I feel so bad but unfortunately I can't afford to take her due to paying rego and insurance, I can take her on Monday night at the earliest.

She seems happy, she wags her tail and she plays with her toys, Yesterday I tried to feed her lunch and she didn't eat it all, which I thought was strange, And then the same for her dinner and her breakfast this morning. She is drinking a lot of water though...

Does anyone have any ideas on what I should do?

Cheers

[Alty]

I'm so sorry but we really can't give you an accurate diagnosis over the internet, you will have to take her to the vet.

There are so many things this could be, from mildly irritating to deadly.

Please, find a way to get her into the vet. If you explain your circumstances maybe the vet will give you a payment plan.

Good luck.

[Charli3]

I bought her from a highly recognised breeder, she came with all her vac's, I feed her the top of the range puppy food and have been doing everything by their advice, She was $770 AUS so approx $1000 US. I have had her for 5 weeks, and she has never had any of these symptoms since I first got her, she had diarrhoea due to stress I think but that past over a couple of days.

I love her so much, I want to take her to the vet so bad, do you guys think it could be parvo? I would die if she died :( There doesn't seem to be any blood in her poo, but it is like liquid, the vommits seem chunky but its food no blood

[Alty]

Once again, we cannot give you an accurate diagnosis over the internet.

We can guess, but that won't do you or your dog any good. The symptoms you describe can be caused by any number of things, the proper diagnosis and veterinary care is needed.

The cost of your dog doesn't have anything to do with her health, either does the fact that she's had all her shots. Yes, parvo is a possibility, so is allergies, a parasite, worms, you name it.

Please, get her to a vet, that really is your only option.

[Charli3]

Ok first of all I didn't tell you the cost of her because I think it is related, I am just trying to make sure you are aware that I am not some ditz that got a puppy because she's cute, I really look after her, and wanted to make sure you were aware that her back ground is from pedigree's.

I have read all the other posts and you all have been very helpful, but me, I just get told to go to the vet..

I came to you for help, not to be treated like an idiot

[Alty]

Ok first of all I didnt tell you the cost of her because I think it is related, I am just trying to make sure you are aware that I am not some ditz that got a puppy cos she's cute, I really look after her, and wanted to make sure you were aware that her back ground is from pedigree's.

I have read all the other posts and you all have been very helpful, but me, I just get told to go to the vet..

I came to you for help, not to be treated like an idiot

If you think I'm treating you like an idiot then you're reading my post wrong.

Do you really think I wouldn't help if I could? I can't. I wish I could tell you what's wrong, what to do and that she'll be okay. I can't do that because I don't know what's wrong with her.

Not once did I say that you aren't a responsible pet owner, but having money put aside for things like this is part of owning a pet. I know times are tough, but did you even call around to see if a vet in your area would consider a payment plan? Did you tell them what's going on?

Pedigree has nothing to do with illness, even the top of the breed can become ill.

I'm sorry that I can't give you better advice then to go to the vet. I really truly wish I could.

Good luck.

[starbuck8]

Try calling the reputable breeder that you got her from. If the breeder is responsible, she/he will definitely help you with getting your dog to the vet. Any highly recognized breeder would do this, and it would be in your contract.

This doesn't sound good if she's not eating and has had dirrarhea this long. I doubt that Monday will be soon enough. This just doesn't sound good to me.

Have you asked the vet if he will see your dog, and set up an account for you so you could come back and pay on Monday? Try and do this before the weekend, as it's already Friday where you are. Otherwise the price is likely to go up.

You can try and feed her little bits of a boiled chicken breast, to see if she will eat a little, but I really think you just need to get her to the vet ASAP. Monday may be too late.

[crytib]

You should find someone to help you that doesn't pay so much

[starbuck8]

you should find someone to help you that doesn't pay so much

That doesn't "pay" so much? How do you suggest she go about this?

[Akoue]

I agree with others that it's a good idea to see if your vet will let you make a small payment up-front and then pay the balance, say, next week. If not, try some other vets in your area.

Of course, there's just no way to make a diagnosis online. I will, however, say that what you've described is consistent with what my dogs have always done when they have an upset stomach. Stop eating and drink a lot. If she is playful and alert and drinking, these are all good signs. If she's got the runs, then it's not a bad idea for her not to eat for a bit anyway. Often they get a bug that runs it's course. Same as with humans.

Keep her hydrated and keep a close eye on her. If her symptoms become worse before Monday you may be able to get your vet to be more accommodating. So far nothing you've described sounds more serious than a stomach flu. Try some boiled chicken. Another thing that works great for an upset stomach is poached eggs.

I'm so sorry there isn't more we can do. I really do wish you and your little girl the best.

[sajjw]

I'd imagine that she is drinking loads because she is dehydrated because of the vomiting and diarrhoea. This sounds like a tummy bug to me but as others have said, it is not sensible for us to diagnose. We are not vets and we haven't seen your dog. It could be just a tummy upset (like people get) or it could be something more serious. If she is not acting like she is unwell and is eating some of her dinner, things could be worse. Dogs let you know when they are feeling terrible. They often will not eat at all and seem subdued and quiet. When my eldest had a stomach virus at that age, she just lay in her bed shaking. I was worried sick! I've always been told by my vet that for diarrhoea you should starve the dog for 24 hours (i.e. nothing whatsoever other than water should be given) and then slowly introduce a diet of chicken and rice as this is easily digested. With a puppy this age though, I would get it to a vet ASAP. I don't mean to sound critical, but if you cannot afford a vet when your pup needs one, can you afford to have a dog? They really can be very expensive. I should know -I have four and they cost me a fortune with one thing and another. I hope your baby is okay.

[sajjw]

Previous post quote (by Akoue)
Of course, there's just no way to make a diagnosis online. I will, however, say that what you've described is consistent with what my dogs have always done when they have an upset stomach. Stop eating and drink a lot. If she is playful and alert and drinking, these are all good signs. If she's got the runs, then it's not a bad idea for her not to eat for a bit anyway. Often they get a bug that runs it's course. Same as with humans.

Keep her hydrated and keep a close eye on her. If her symptoms become worse before Monday you may be able to get your vet to be more accommodating. So far nothing you've described sounds more serious than a stomach flu. Try some boiled chicken. Another thing that works great for an upset stomach is poached eggs.

I'm so sorry there isn't more we can do. I really do wish you and your little girl the best.[/QUOTE]


Akoue and I were typing virtually the same answer at the same time! How weird is that?

[Akoue]

Not everyone can sustain a rainy day fund. I would rather that dogs have good and loving homes than die in shelters waiting for people with means to adopt them. I used to live near a shelter that means-tested before allowing an adoption. This meant a lifetime prison term for most of the animals there because few people could pass their means-test. When I was a dirt poor graduate student I had pets and there were times I lived in terror of something happening to them because I didn't have the money for the vet. I am glad I had them and they lived long healthy lives. I don't know what the OP's fincancial situation is and it's really none of my business. I do, on the whole, think that poor people can and often should have dogs and cats. More animals need homes than there are homes to go around. If this dog is loved and cared for--as she appears to be from the OP's posts--then I am glad she's where she is.

If only people who could afford vet bills at any point in time had pets, then a whole lot more dogs and cats would be put to death than already are. My beef is with the vets, not the people. Most vets in the US are underqualified to begin with (especially compared to Europe) and to deny medical assistance to a dog because the owner can't shell out a couple of hundred bucks for a simple consultation is appalling. All the more when the owner says that she can pay Monday. To the OP: I would strongly urge you to start looking for another vet. If you can find a good one, then switch. Of course, often the good ones are the ones who want cash on the barrel-head.