i think my boston terrier is sick, should i wait a couple days before going to vet?

Question

my 4 month old boston terrier i think has a cold or something. he was shivering for like 30 minutes until i covered him in 2 blankets on my bed, and he has a runny nose. he hasnt ate since morning and has been just sleeping. last night he spilled water from a cup on himself while i was sleeping somehow, i woke up at night he was curled up wet sleeping with the fan blowing on him... i dont know if that has anything to do with it. but he was fine until just tonight, 24 hours later. should i take him to a vet right away or wait a day or two. money is tight and vets tend to be costly

he jumped off the bed and went to drink water, then came back to the bed but waited for me to put him back on. i thought dog colds are like humans, go away after a few days ? am i wrong

Answer 1

At his age, he is still very fragile.
I know how things can be when money is really tight, but I promise that you won't be sorry if you get him veterinary care, and you just may be really sorry if you don't.
Bosties can get pneumonia so easily, and they are so very precious..
If it is Pavo, every minute counts

Answer 2

Boston Terrier Cold Symptoms

Answer 3

I understand your financial concerns, but the longer you put it off, the more costly it's likely to be at that age. If he were a couple of years old, waiting 24 hours to see if it turns into anything can often be okay. But at this age, he's still susceptible to certain very serious 'puppyhood' diseases that can progress VERY rapidly.

It's not likely to be as expensive as you think. Be upfront with them about your financial concerns, and they will give you an estimate after examining him if they think he needs tests and/or medications, and help prioritize them for you. We understand that not everyone just won the lottery last weekend, and will approach things in a logical, systematic manner. They're not going to automatically run hundreds of dollars of tests that aren't necessary. Often, a diagnosis can be made by physical exam only (he needs a fecal, too, however.) If that doesn't turn up a cause, they'll tell you the next step. Hopefully, it will be something minor. But if it's not, and you put it off..... :-/

After you get through this, please start a monthly medical savings account just for him. Even if you can deposit only $5-10 a week (cutting out just 1-2 fast food meals or convenience store sodas can easily accomplish that), it will add up and be there when you need it. Also, check into CareCredit.com and pet health insurance. Insurance really pays off when you get it young...it's very affordable for what is covered......but if you wait til they're older, less will be covered for the same premiums. (Due to preexisting conditions and all that.)

Good luck. Snuggle him up, and call your DVM in the morning as early as possible.

ETA: Colds can last from several days to a few weeks, depending on the cause. It might indeed be 'nothing but' a cold. But what if it's not? What if it's pneumonia or distemper or early parvo? Besides, 'colds' in Bostons are more serious than in other breeds because of their smushed-up <---(highly scientific medical term alert) faces and sinus structure. At least take his temp (rectally)...it should be between 100.0 and 102.6 degrees F. His gums should be nice and pink. See if he'll drink some chicken broth. But I'd still recommend you take him in in the morning. Please don't give him any antibiotics unless prescribed for him by his own doctor. DVMs don't/can't prescribe them over the Internet....it's illegal to do so. (Not to mention unethical, in that it contributes to the escalating resistance problem of bacteria to antibiotics to recommend them for patients we have not personally seen and diagnosed as needing them.) We can lose our license to practice if we do, and most of us are pretty attached to that. ;-)
Besides, ampicillin is not an appropriate antibiotic for the symptoms you describe.

Answer 4

I would like to ask if your dog has been vaccinated against Parvo-Distemper+ vaccine at 2 months then at 3 months (at least 2 vac'n consecutive)? If so the chances of him getting caught of Distemper which is the most deadly of all respiratory infection in dog is less. There are other resp. infection in dogs but are less fatal. Symptoms however of all resp. infection are the same like shivering, eye and nasal discharge and sometimes fever. First try giving him some antiobiotic like Ampicillin at 20 mg/kg 3 times daily at least for 5 days. There are many Ampicillin preparation, it can be tablet or liquid. From the content per cc or tab, you can compute if you know approx. the weight of you pup. If it is getting worse, maybe he will need some IV infusion so probably you have to bring him to a vet.

Answer 5

Would you make a baby wait to see the doctor with those symptoms? No! Well. . . you have a baby dog that you're responsible for.

However, since moneys tight, by you managed to afford a Boston Terrier, call the humane society in your area and ask for the number of a low cost vet clinic. The price should be half of what it would be elsewhere. It could save your best friend's life, especially if money has been so tight that the pooch isn't up on his or her vaccinations.

Answer 6

Is there an emergency clinic in your area? Some of them are very good about talking to owners on the phone and helping them decide what the best option is...

Puppies can go downhill pretty quickly when they are sick, depending what is wrong with them. Is he drinking? Urinating and defecating normally? Are his gums pink? Is he alert and responsive when he is awake? Are his shots and deworming up to date?

If you are really worried you should contact a vet tonight, but at the very latest, you should take the puppy in tomorrow morning. I wouldn't wait any longer than that.

Good luck!

Answer 7

At the very least, call your vet to see what he/she thinks. Explain that money is tight and see what they think. They'll know if you really need to be concerned or if it is something that will pass.

I'd be worried about the fact that your puppy won't eat and is rather lethargic tho. When my puppy got like that several years ago, it was Parvo. You should at least speak to your vet to rule this possibility out as Parvo is very serious and can take a dog's life if not treated quickly.

Answer 8

if your terrier means anything to you, call the vet! I haven't heard of one yet that charges for a phone call. Take him in, my vet does a monthly tab(has to be paid by end of month when books are tallied up).. see if you can work something out. The longer it goes, the more costly it may get...

Answer 9

Regarding your puppy not eating: I don't know how much he weighs but you should also be concerned about a hypoglycema attack. If his sugar blood gets too low he can go into shock and die.

If he refuses to eat you can "supliment" him with nutracal.

Good luck and yes... call a vet.