Time to Panic?

Okay, I posted about Tango and his tummy troubles. He is doing just fine now. We were thinking it was a combination of stress from the move and my husband being gone as well as him not having his usual food. He was eating a mix of Pedigree and Canidae because we were waiting for his food to be delivered.

Now that he is just eating Canidea again and Daddy’s home, he is back to normal.

That’s the good news.

The bad news is Lila is now sick. She has had diarrhea and been throwing up for the last couple of days now. A few accidents to clean up but she has mostly been going to the door if she needs to go out. I was up with her all night and I am ready to collapse today. I got up to go to the bathroom and when I came out she was pacing like she wanted to go out. I started heading for the door and saw on the carpet a large spot of blood. Only blood; no diarrhea. I let her outside and saw her back end was all bloody.

She won’t eat at all today after throwing up numerous times yesterday. She is laying down again but she actually smells sick. Her symptoms remind me of parvo, but she is an eight year old dog who never goes anywhere. I’m wondering if the previous owners had a dog with parvo? Anyhow, I know she needs to go to a vet but I am broke until payday. I may call and see what they suggest. I haven’t seen a vet since we moved here so they aren’t likely to work with someone they don’t know.

I’m getting a little panicked. Do you think it could actually be parvo at her age? I’m feeling sick still myself and all this is just getting to be more than I can handle. And I still have work to finish. I’d sure appreciate any ideas that I may not have thought of.

Hi Kathleen,

You and I have been talking about Lila’s illness already, and you know giardia is high on my list of possibilities, especially because of that odor you’ve noticed coming from Lila. However, parvo is a possibility, and dogs of any age can contract the virus. I did a little research, and parvovirus can survive in an outdoor environment for as much as five to seven months. I’m not sure when Lila received her last parvo vaccination, but it’s possible for even a vaccinated dog to pick up the environment if she’s getting frequent exposure. I’m just thinking that with Lila now exploring her yard, she could have picked up the virus if a dog that was living there previously had it.

Since full veterinary treatment isn’t an option right now, home care is crucial. Dehydration is Lila’s biggest enemy regardless of whether this is parvo, giardia or something else. Can you get some children’s Kaopectate to try to stop the diarrhea and help soothe her lower GI tract? It’s sold at most drug stores. Also, pick up some Pedialyte. It’s better for her than water at this point because it will help replace some electrolytes. It spoils quickly when unrefrigerated, so you only want to offer Lila a little at a time, but offer it frequently. The idea here is to slow Lila’s water output and increase her intake. If you can do this, she has a stronger chance of making it through the virus.

As a word of encouragement, my sister once bought a German Shepherd puppy that came down with parvo. Her vet gave the pup a subcuetaneous injection of saline to help keep him hydrated, but I don’t recall that he got anything else. My sister had to clean up after him meticulously, but he survived.

Thanks Kelly. I didn’t think about Pedialite. That’s a good idea. I only give her very small amounts of water at a time because if she drinks too much, she throws it up. There is no more diarrhea because she hasn’t eaten in a few days (today will be day three but I’m hopeful I’ll get her to eat something).

I got her some Panacur and have actually been giving it to both dogs since Tango still has a little diarrhea. He is much better though but I’ve read that it is possible to carry giardia without displaying any symptoms at all. So he is just stronger I guess and can handle it better.

She only got us up one last night to go out, so I think that’s good. She actually perked up a bit this morning which is encouraging. Still won’t eat but she is drinking more. I’ll get some Pedialite as soon as I get paid.

To top all this off, after spending the last of our money on meds for the dogs, my oldest daughter punctured her finger on some barbed wire outside. It bled like crazy and hurt pretty bad. She was shaking. By some miracle I managed to get all my work done but I am such a wreck right now, I think I’m ready to leave town or go find a rock to hide under. :(

I’ll keep watching Lila. Today will be her last dose of Panacur so I’m hoping to see some major improvements. If she could eat and keep it down, she would get some strength back.

We have a water sample sent off and should hear something by tomorrow. This test won’t check for giardia though. I’ll have to do another test through the state for that. There are filters that will get rid of it that we’ll have to check on after I get paid. Until then, all water is boiled for three minutes (altitude directions). I’ll have to check into treating the well.

Note: Just now took her out. She had diarrhea but it was just blood, nothing else (or very little). I don’t know how I’m going to pay for the vet. I guess I’m going to have to pick up some extra work this month to pay for it.

Hi Kathleen,

I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and I really hope Lila gets better soon.  I am sure that is very scary.  I also hope your daughter is alright.  I hope things calm down for you soon!

Christine

Kathleen, I am so sorry to hear this! I know it probably couldn’t have happened at a worst time, but I wanted to tell you about something I read online. I know that you used to live in Florida, and there’s been an outbreak of parvo (like Kelly suggested). I came to this news story quite by accident, but anyway, you can read it here

I actually found this story while doing a search on Healthmap (it’s this tool that tracks diseases all over the world) and I clicked on this story because, of course, I have dogs.

Anyway, I don’t know if this is what Lila has, but I wanted to share whatever information I could. I really hope that Lila gets better soon; please keep us posted.

Hi Kathleen - I am so sorry to read of all the things going on right now. I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking of you and praying that everything turns out well.

Hi Kathleen. How’s Lila doing?

Thanks everyone. I’m glad you all are so understanding. I’ve been somewhat of a basket case the last few days, but I think she is actually improving. Lila actually came up to my bed yesterday wagging her tail. She still wants no part of the Canidae, but she absolutely inhaled the dehydrated food I mixed up for her—and kept it down. Wish I could afford to order more right now. It’s almost gone but I feel like it will be better for her as she recovers than the kibble. I’m also thinking she threw up so much kibble she just can’t bring herself to eat any more. I do mix in a bit with the dehydrated food just to stretch it, but I only have enough dehydrated food for a couple more bowls. Poor Tango doesn’t get any. I first gave her a bit of cottage cheese to tempt her to eat. She loved it too and actually lunged at Tango when he thought she might be willing to share. Silly Tango.

She seems to be rather perky today. She even ran out of the bedroom to the living room to investigate what the cats were doing. (She worried me too. She seems to want to eat our new kitten. :( ) But the diarrhea has stopped and no more throwing up. I think she is going to pull through and get back to normal, thank goodness.

I have to tell you, I don’t think I can handle much more stress here. I’m glad at least Lila is doing better so that’s one less worry. Oh, and the water test came back good so our well is clean. That’s a relief too because I just can’t afford a whole-house filtration system right now. In fact, I’m not sure how to cover our regular expenses right now. My husband still hasn’t found work, so it’s all on me. I’m glad to have him home (and so is Tango!) but if he would have stayed in Florida another week things would be a little easier right now. I’ll have to find some side jobs that will pay right away to cover all my expenses this month. :( Not something I look forward to. I’ve been so exhausted I have no idea how I’ll do extra work. But I guess I gotta do what I gotta do. We’ll manage. Just a little stressful right now.

So thanks everyone for caring. I think Lila is doing well now and getting back to normal.

Hi Kathleen,

I am so sorry things are so tough right now.  I keep hearing of people who are losing their jobs.  I do hope the economy changes soon.  My husband works at a home builder, so I am grateful for everyday he has a job.  Luckily, he is in IT and he is doing well, so today he has a job.  I hope your husband finds a good job real soon. 

I am glad to hear that Lila is doing better.  I am not sure your little kitten is glad, but it is a good thing.  I hope she continues to get stronger and stronger.

It sounds like things can only get better for you.  I hope that happens soon.

Christine

Thanks Christine. Things will get better, I’m just not really seeing that light at the end of the tunnel just yet.

Lila is back to passing blood. We went into town yesterday and when we got home she had gone to the bathroom all over my bedroom. She is eating and not throwing up, but still losing blood. I’m not sure what to do but I know I can’t take her to the vet. There just is no way to pay for it. I am seriously considering having her put down. She is old and not in the greatest shape anyhow. She has trouble walking and now this mess. I’m not sure what else to do but I can’t just watch her get weaker and weaker. She is having a hard time getting in and out the front door. She manages to get out, but when it’s time to get in she really hesitates because it’s so difficult to pull herself in the door. Often she slips and loses her footing which hurts I’m sure. She still has to go out about every two hours at night, which is killing me too.

I may call the humane society Tuesday to see what they would charge to do it. I just don’t know what else to do. :(

Kathleen Roberts - 06 September 2009 07:02 AM

Thanks Christine. Things will get better, I’m just not really seeing that light at the end of the tunnel just yet.

Lila is back to passing blood. We went into town yesterday and when we got home she had gone to the bathroom all over my bedroom. She is eating and not throwing up, but still losing blood. I’m not sure what to do but I know I can’t take her to the vet. There just is no way to pay for it. I am seriously considering having her put down. She is old and not in the greatest shape anyhow. She has trouble walking and now this mess. I’m not sure what else to do but I can’t just watch her get weaker and weaker. She is having a hard time getting in and out the front door. She manages to get out, but when it’s time to get in she really hesitates because it’s so difficult to pull herself in the door. Often she slips and loses her footing which hurts I’m sure. She still has to go out about every two hours at night, which is killing me too.

I may call the humane society Tuesday to see what they would charge to do it. I just don’t know what else to do. :(

Oh Kathleen I am so sorry Lila is getting worse.  Did you happen to search on the internet in your area for free Veterinary services.  I did a quick look and there are some free services out there.  Maybe that will help.  I know this has got to be a tough decision.  I am sure the Humane Society will help too.

Good luck and you are in my prayers.

Christine

Hi Kathleen,

I’m so sorry that your dogs have been so ill. I hope that Lila feels better soon. You have so much stress in your life right now. Just moving is a big stress by itself, but now your babies are sick too. Try to take it one day at a time and know that we’re all thinking about you and wishing your dogs well.

Kathleen, I, like everyone else here, feel just terrible for you. I think it was Lorie that said that moving is stressful in itself, but the fact that you are dealing with these other troubles too, well; it’s a lot to handle.

Is there any free clinics in your area that you can drive Lila to? I don’t know too much about that area, but maybe you can do a Google search for a clinic like that for Lila. If you can’t do that, the only other choice is to try to get pet insurance (the start up cost is about $40), but you’d be able to take her to the vet without paying for the visit.

Please let me know if there’s anything I can do to help, or if you need any information about pet insurance. Other than that, keep us posted on Lila’s condition, and know that we’re all sending you positive vibes- we’re pulling for you!

Hi Kathleen - I just read your post and am so sorry to hear of everything going on. I am adding my prayers and love to the others here for you and for Lila. Just know that we are here for you and if there is anything I can do please let me know.

Hi everyone,

I thought I’d post a quick update. Lila seems to have recovered, amazingly. I honestly can’t believe it because she was really bad. But now she is back to normal.

She seems to be making up for her days of not eating. Now all she wants to do it eat. She has even started begging at the Table! And I’m bad because I’m so amazed to see her I don’t even shoo her away.

And if that wasn’t wonderful enough, both dogs are now allowing me to sleep all night. Thank goodness!

Still no job for my husband although he did interview with a pet supply store today. That one sounds pretty promising but I don’t want to get my hopes up. The interview was with the main office and they then sent his info to the local store. So I’m hoping.

Now I just have to figure out how to cover the house payment and everything will be all good again.

Thanks everyone for your support. I wanted you all to know that things seem to be okay now.

Hi Kathleen,

I’m so glad Lila has recovered. I was really worried for you. It also sounds like her illness didn’t set her back on the strides she’s making coming out of her shell. How is she doing now that your husband is home. Is he amazed at the changes in Lila since the move?