What symptoms are these in dogs?

Question

Here are the symtoms: loss of appetite, drinking less, then drinking nothing, moping around, weakness, unable to walk. These symtoms went on for almost a week, then ended in death. Unfortunately my cousin wasn't able to afford to take his dog to the vet at the time, & watched is dog die. Without a vet visit, he has no idea what killed his dog. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! (Also leading up to this week, his other dog had gotten lost, then found & taken to the dog pound & came home. Within days of the 2nd dog returning is when his other dog became ill.) The dog that died was a german sheppard/ alaskan husky mix.

The dog was 10 months old.

Just to clear things up: My cousin is not a heartless man. Several vets in the area were called. They all said the same thing. Sorry, no payment plans, must have money up front. Unfortunately my cousin had just lost his job a week earlier. Never expecting any of this to happen, he made sure all his bills were paid ahead. His last $40 was spent to get his other dog from the dog pound. The only reason he had to watch his dog die, was because he was waiting for a friend to come so they could put the dog down. Just for one night at the vet it would've cost $150 due to the size of the dog. (He was bigger than his mother at 10 months.) I even called some of the vets & asked if they could do payment plans. They all said no. It's funny, you'd think in a small town, they would. We don't have any other organizations around here to help with things like that. In my opinion, the vets figured it would be better to just put the pup down. The other pup died a year later from unrelated causes.

So, the pup dying was not a result of my cousin not being able to afford his pets, up until he lost his job, he could. Sometimes things happen beyond our control. Noone feels more guilty than he does, but it really is not his fault. It saddens me that so many people are so quick to judge. Of course my cousin has not gotten another dog due to him not wanting to feel that pain again or see his kids go through that kind of pain again, even though he has gotten a job that pays even better & he has learned to put money away for "rainy days". I do agree with the person who said pets are like family. That's why it's really sad that pets can't get health insurance. If they could, maybe things like this wouldn't have to happen when someone loves their pet almost as much as they love their own kids!

Answer 1

Those are symptoms of a LOT of different dog diseases. Without a necropsy, you'll never know. There's really not much point in speculating, because it could have been soooooooooo many different things.

But if he was behind on his vaccinations, parvovirus and/or distemper would be highly likely if the other dog brought those viruses home from the pound. (He wouldn't have had to have been sick himself to simply carry viruses home.)

ETA: At 10 months of age, either parvo or distemper are HIGHLY LIKELY with the history of being recently exposed to a dog who was at the pound. Younger pups often die from parvo within 12-48 hours of onset of signs, but older pups can hang on longer...even up to a week...before either dying or getting better. Shame, because at that age, he probably would have pulled through it just fine had he received appropriate treatment. It still could have been something else, however....even 'just' a bad case of worms. Poisoning in dogs is rare in reality (contrary to popular opinion), and antifreeze poisoning in particular kills MUCH quicker than a week.

Answer 2

The symptoms you mentioned can mimic many things from a viral infection to a disease.
The only way to find out what he died from is by having a Autopsy performed on the Dog. It would be a good idea to have this done incase whatever the first Dog died from is contagious and the other Dog contracts it.
Meanwhile have the other Dog insured. If the other Dog starts exhibiting signs of illness, ring around some Vets and there is a few Vets who will allow the owner to pay monthly or when they can.
Take care and all the best.

Answer 3

It could have been a hundred different things . You didn't mention the dog's age.

Unless a necropsy was done after the dog passed away, there is no way of knowing for sure. Everyone would just be making a guess. I'm sorry.

ADD:

Thanks for adding the dog's age, although I still have to say it still could have been many different things. I was actually hoping that you were going to say the dog was old and I would have guessed a stroke, but that wouldn't be the case with a young dog. Maybe he was poisoned, but as I previously said, without a necropsy ... which is the same as an autopsy on humans, there's no way being positive.

I would like to add that you obviously have a bigger heart and are showing more concern for this poor dog than your cousin did. I'm sure it's your loss just as much as your cousin's loss and for that, I'm I'm really sorry.

Answer 4

Your cousin should never own another animal. It is just like children, if you cannot afford them, don't have them.

It is your cousin's fault this happened. That poor dog suffered needlessly. Why couldn't he have called a vet and explained his situation and paid for the visit in payments? I cannot see any vet turning away a dying dog. Tell the cousin to find a good home for the remaining dog so he/she has a chance at life. If the present dog is not licensed and the shots up to date, they would take the dog away from him. What if that dog bit someone and had rabies?? How would the cousin feel then?

Answer 5

That really sounds like parvo to me. I had a dog once that got parvo, He did this exact thing, we took him to the vet and he was hooked to all kinds of IV's and he lived through it, It's very important to take your dog to the vet and get the shots. They have all kinds of programs and clinics that are very affordable. If it is Parvo that this dog died from, it could be in the dirt of the dog owners yard, talk to your vet to figure out how to rid the yard of the disease, or any other dogs that come in this yard and are not properly immunized could also contract it. I have heard spraying your dirt with bleach could work, however with him having another dog not sure if that's a good idea, make sure to call the vet for options.

Answer 6

Sounds like your cousin doesn't need anymore dogs for a long while.

It could have been parvo. If he has any sense about him, tell him to call the pound and let them know the dog may have had parvo. Your cousins dog just put every dog in that pound in jeopardy of contracting parvo with the same results his dogs had.

Answer 7

How can anyone "watch" their dog die? No excuse. Was the vet even contacted? I am sure the vet would have worked something out with your cousin. Also, the ASPCA would have seen the dog for medical attention. To do nothing, is sinful.....I am glad I am not a relative of his........

10 months old??? How horrible! WATCHING a puppy die!!!! Cruel & abusive treatment. Should be prosecuted.......

Answer 8

those are all symptoms of parvo. not much can cure it without a vet visit, i pored clear gatoraid down my dogs throwt and she vomitted all the infection up and was fine, be advised that parvo lives in the air for about 2-3 years and in the ground for about 7 yrs. make sure you get the parvo shot series for any other dogs your cousin gets in the future or they might have to go through the situation again.
i'm sorry your cousin had to watch his dog die like that.

Answer 9

without tests the dogs symptoms don't mean much. The dog should have been taken to the vet. Animals are like family. Family gets sick, you take them to where they can get treated. Period. I would suggest for your cousin to find a home for the other dog before something happens to this one. Or caring for the dog yourself is another option.

Answer 10

Had the dog had any shots? If not there is very good chance it could have gotten Parvo. Which can be very deadly in dogs. I had 2 labs almost die from it a month ago. Hope that will help.