sick puppy from the pound?

Question

I got my puppy from the pound 3 weeks ago . she has been sick ever since i brought her home . i took her to the vet and he said that she had bronchitis and gave her some antibiotics and said that if it didn't help that i should bring her back and he would give her some antivirals. she still isn't doing better and now she seems to be breathing heavy throughout the day and more often at night. the pound didn't say a word to me when i got her about this . could they get into any kind of trouble for not even warning me about it . i paid 60 dollars for her and didn't know if they would give me my money back for her if i took her back because of this.

Answer 1

uhh... kennel cough DOES require antibiotics, and sometimes decongestants and cough suppressants, and often PROGRESSES to bronchitis and pneumonia. And a dog CAN get bronchitis without having had kennel cough... its a pretty common and obvious diagnosis, and I highly doubt the vet missed it if it is kennel cough. She needs to go back to the vet. Or to the shelter if you cannot keep her because of this. Breathing heavy, and trying to keep her head elevated, are signs that the bronchitis is progressing to pneumonia.

Answer 2

Because at a pound a large number of dogs are house together they can pick up viruses from other dogs and the day you adopted her she might have appeared okay so no one would have known , with a virus it may take 4 to 10 days before symptoms show up, much like a flu in humans.

And there is no way for the pound to know until after the symptoms actually appear.

They "might" give you your money back if you have proof you took her to the vet right away, the prescription bottle for the anitbiotics would be dated other wise you would have to get something from the vet in writing.
but here is the problem
If you had taken her to the vet right away, the vet would have prescribed 7 to 10 days worth of antibiotics but that would leave 11 to 14 days where she has had no medical treatment while in your care and she has been getting worse, in which case they could say you have been denying her health care since you did not return her sooner or went back to the vet once you knew she was not getting better so instead you could be the one in trouble because of the days that have passed where she did not recieve vet care.

So because of the time lapse you likely would not get your money back and depending how ill she is now they may if lucky use that money you paid to save her and then adopt her out again or euthansize her.

Your other option is to get her back to the vet and pay for treatment and hope you did not wait too long

Answer 3

Call the pound and tell them. Ask them whether they have a disease going through the dogs or did they when your pup was there. This could be kennel cough. You could try to use a humidifier to help the breathing. Try to give the dog broth and food with more moisture, too. I hope the pup gets better soon. I have gotten sick kittens from the shelter in the past. One nearly died, the other I had to put to sleep because she was too sick to save.

When you get an animal from the shelter, look around to make sure the animals are healthy.

Answer 4

Unfortunately Kennel cough is a common problem through most shelters. My suggestion is Robitussin DM. I am not sure what antibiotic the vet gave but i recommend doxycycline. I own a kennel and work with rescue, this is very common. A shelter or pound will not tell you if a dog is ill. Make sure the dog is drinking but the cough medicine will help.

Answer 5

They dont have to tell you anything other than if the dog is aggressive. Not to sound harsh or anything but that is what have to expect when adopting a dog from a city shelter. Im sure they may give you your money back if she had died from a diesease that she contracted there such as parvo or distemper but since you have had her for 3 weeks im sure they wont. If you do bring her back she will more than likley be put to sleep. Good luck and i wish you the best of luck.

Answer 6

Sounds like you got a Lemon :-) Did you have x-rays done at your vet? You need to check for pneumonia as well, I know we have seen quite a few cases lately of what would appear to be brochitis or tracheitis which actually turns out to be pnuemonia. Which antibiotic is your dog on? You may need to switch it up I believe that Doxycycline hyclate is a pretty good one for respiratory infections.

Answer 7

AH THE RESCUE QUESTION most dogs from the pound tend to be alittle sick ,because they share the kennel with tons of other dogs. ask your vet to take the dog off the anti biotics ,they are slowing down the dog breathing , and they anit working , she need a need drug or breathing treatment ,i have had a problem with anti biotics in English bull terriers, ask you vet they if know of a better treatment plan ?

Answer 8

your vet is misleading. The puppy has kennel cough. doesnt need antibiotics or even a shot. this is very common in adoption cases. you can get the cough medicine you need at petsmart unless your state prohibits it, then you have to go to another vet, get a 2nd opinion and ask him if he thinks its kennel cough.

Answer 9

Take her and the vet bills back to the pound and trade her in if that's what you want. They will probably honor the bill and do the right thing. If not have your vet call them.

Answer 10

Its possible that the shelter was't aware of your dogs condition, especially if it is overcrowded. Call the shelter and let them know about your puppy's illness. They might be able to assist you in treatment.