Help with 4 week old puppy - Page 2

igmnorance?

Firefly- If you don't have access to a vet ASAP you need to keep the puppy hydrated. If you have access to a syringe and needle you can in a pinch inject the pup with pedialyte (non flavored) kind. Inject 20cc liquid (warmed) in the distance between the shoulder blades and half way down the back. This will allow the liquid to be absorbed quicker through the gut. Do this every 3 hours. Give puppy Kaopectate 2 teaspoons or immodium. Must stop the diarrhea now. This isn't a treatment to replace the vet but keeps the pup alive until you can get there. If you don't have a syringe then try to keep water in the puppy per/os by mouth. If you can't get pedialyte email me and I'll give you the recipe to make it at home. But better to get the real stuff so don't be cheap. Birdy...

Good Post Birdy. :o)~

A quick check for dehydration is to gently pinch a loose fold of skin. It should snap back into shape quickly when released.

I've seen this happen with a pup that had a gutload of worms. If it's worms, the immodium/kaopectate doesn't really seem to work. Is he vomiting at all? I am glad that you are taking the little guy to the vet, who can check for parasites and everything else that could be going on, and then treat him appropriately. In the meantime, a syringe with the needle removed with pedialyte (administered orally if you are not familar with the use of needles, as you could do more damage if you are unaware of what you are doing), giving at least 10cc per hour until you get to the vet. Since it's a small puppy, I wouldn't waste any time and would just take him to the emergency vet--yes, more expensive, but the life of an animal you had brought into this world that you are responsible for is more important than a couple hundred bucks, IMO. Good luck, and let us know the outcome! -Melanie

It could be worms especially if the puppy is vomiting. I don't agree with your statement Melanie. My father who was a vet for over 50 years would do exactly what I suggested, I worked with him until his death so I'm not exactly uneducated on this subject. Worms or not stopping the diarrhea IS FIRST and Foremost important thing here. Firefly- It would be best if you just get the pup to the vet. I hope you have long before reading my reply here. I'll not offer this group any more help. AS there are obviously more people here that know more and would rather bash the poor girl for her pup and those who know what to do. Im finished here too! Birdy...

To all of you who generous with your advise a big thank you. The Vet has seen the pup and he can not find anything wrong with him. Giardia neg., worms neg., coccidia (sp.?) neg. The Pup was never depressed, dehydrated, never stopped eating and no vomiting. The vet gave him Metronidazole Susp. The only thing he did not like me doing was giving the pup home made formula (the Leerburg one). A special thank you Birdy. I would have responded earlier, but my Internet connection was down.

I agree with Birdy-- If you don't have any advice to give, and feel that the only thing you have to offer is negativity, why bother posting at all?????? Everyone on here is so quick to judge instead of helping others out. Regardless of whether we all have the same opinion, it's nice to get multiple responses with ANSWERS to a question, so that you have alternatives to try, rather than to get verbally accosted for asking a question!!!! The "professional / experienced people" who you want left to do the breeding, ALPHAPUP, ALL STARTED OUT SOMEWHERE. Try to keep that in mind when you lambaste people with your dialogue. Perhaps you mean well, but you may be doing more harm than good when all you have to offer is negativity. Firefly--I am glad your pup is ok, and even happier that he had a trip to the vet. :)

Even if someone does know what to do, sometimes it is just a relief to share and maybe get a new idea you didn't think of. To know you are doing all you can and reaching out in every way for your dog, sometimes bring comfort to the worried. Knowing you have other dog people rooting for your dogs recovery is just a nice feeling. Also just having answers out there even if you do not use them is good as others who are affraid to ask because they fear this treatment, may have the help.

I'd have done the same thing Birdy. No worries. I have an 2 emergency Kit's one in my vehicle and one @ my house. Both Kit's are equipt with 6 different gaged needles, saline solution, IV tube and "Y", gloves, tape and scissors, wrap,