Yesterday, I was terrified to discover my two month old chihauhau has worms. I found one on the floor, which i thought looked like rice...then I realized it was wiggling. I started freaking out, and crying. I ran to my mother's room to tell her what I saw, and since she takes sleeping pills, she couldn't really get out of bed or sympathize me. Then, my puppy ran into the room after me, and made a poop on the floor. I was too afraid to lift her up to go to the pad...and there they were. All over her poop were those rice worms. I was screaming and crying with horror. I was so shocked...I began having a panic attack, and to make matters worse, she was crying, and when she walked, she dragged her bottom. I knew she was in some sort of pain, or irritation. I didn't know what to do, so I called the 24/7 vet, and he reassured me that I have nothing to worry about, all I need to do is take her to get a test, and then get a diwormer. But the test itself costs $82...I can't afford that. Help!
2007-04-05 05:28:07 · 18 answers · asked by Stephanie 4 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Last night, and this morning, she pooped and there were no worms...then a few minutes ago, there was a little slimy discusting worm on my arm. EWWWW. I was so discusted that I just wiped it off quickly, and then vacumed my room and changed my sheets...I hate worms.
2007-04-06 23:16:31 · update #1
If you get a stool sample, the vet should be able to see what type of worms they are from that. Then, they should be able to give you the type of dewormer that will get rid of that type of worm. It's important, you need to find a way to afford it. Dogs, especially small puppies, can get really sick or even die from worms.
2007-04-05 05:43:28 · answer #1 · answered by sweetrvrbaines 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
First off find a new vet! It should never cost that much to test a stool sample. Treating worms depends solely on the type of worm they are. Being a puppy it's probably roundworms, all puppy's have them. Most are dewormed at intervals with their puppy shots that happen 3-6 weeks apart. Has she been checked by a vet at all?
The pup is uncomfortable, not so much in pain as discomfort. Does she have a round swollen like belly? If you can't afford the vet right now go to the petstore and get a puppy dewormer. ASK the sales staff which one is best, and more then likely there most expensive will be, but it's worth it. Also check for fleas, fleas cause tapeworms!
Worms can grow to be a problem and cause health issues, so this needs to get taken care of. Especially in a Chihuahua, they are too small to disregard health issues.
I'm not trying to be harsh, but I f you cant afford the dog now, how can you later. Pets are like kids and cost hundreds of dollars a year and have problems come up that you cant be prepared for.
This pet needs to be fixed, get all it's multiple rounds of shots, be put on heart-worm control and flea medicine. It's not cheap.
Good luck.
2007-04-05 06:04:10 · answer #2 · answered by sarahjane_d1983 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to go to your vet now, or at least call. It will be a lot less expensive to treat now, than treat later after further complications and problems set in. Also, many times when these worms look like "rice" they are worms from your dog eating a flea. It is usually pretty simple to take care with a prescribed pill from the vet. IF that is the type of worm, your dog will also need to be treated for fleas. But, I still think it would be best to have a vet confirm the type of worm so it is treated properly. Good luck.
2007-04-05 06:07:37 · answer #3 · answered by ~Teri~ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hey there,
So first thing to do is to NOT freak out. Try to stay calm and assess the situation. Getting your puppy dewormed and vaccinated is very important.
You will have to get this dog to a vet. As for the person who suggested store based dewormers, most DO NOT do the trick are cheap, will not gaurantee a solution and may end up costing you more in veterinary care in the longrun.
Talk with your local vet and try to set up a payment plan if you can't afford the whole thing right away. You can also talk with your local SPCA/shelter and ask if they have any available low-cost programs to help you right now.
Talk with your mother about the problem, and ask if she'd be willing to give you the money in return for doing extra chores household work. Suggest doing extra hard in school, why this is so important to the dog's health and offer to show receipts for the dog's care.
This kind of maturity usually shows parents that this is important to you and that you are being responsible.
If that's not an option, or your mother refuses, see if you can perhaps do a few babysitting jobs for friends/neighbors in order to help raise the money. Explain your situation and how you are hoping to handle the problem.
For future reference: You may need to take on a small part-time job in order to help care for this puppy. Dogs are generally very expensive to care for, and this is just the beginning of your expenses.
Hope this helps!
2007-04-05 06:01:30 · answer #4 · answered by mroof! 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A fecal test does NOT cost $82 nor does dewormer for tapeworms. If the vet quoted you $82 then it likely was for an exam as well as fecal test and dewormer.
A fecal test is important sine she likely has more types of worms then just tapeworms.
Do NOT use ANY OTC dewormers on your puppy they are ineffective and can be very dangerous.
A two month old puppy should be seen by a vet anyway. It needs vaccinations and a complete puppy exam as well as deworming.This is all part of being a responsible pet owner. It is a VERY important part.
2007-04-05 06:03:52 · answer #5 · answered by Great Dane Lover 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You need to get your puppy dewormed. Ask the vet if they will do a payment plan. Explain the situation... most vets will work with you... for the better of the animal.
Next time something is wrong with your puppy, DON'T FREAK OUT!!! The puppy was probably more scared than you after what you put him through, which is probably why he crapped on the floor! Not trying to be mean, but it is traumatic for a puppy.
Imagine if you Mom did that to you!
Hope it all works out for you!!
2007-04-05 05:53:45 · answer #6 · answered by kiratess 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hi there, my female pitbull had these rice looking worms. At first I saw them on my bed and they looked like rice until one day i picked her up and I thought she had pooped, but it was a white rice looking thing wiggling, So gross, turns out they were tapeworms. She got them from eating an infected flea, but you know what, i only paid 25 dollars to get her an exam and treatment. I took her to the humane society they usually have lower priced services. I think 82 dollars is way too expensive. You should consult your local animar shelter or humane society. Hope this helps.
2007-04-05 07:20:51 · answer #7 · answered by Iris G 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lots of puppies have worms, NOT all of them. Rice-size worms are probably tapeworms. Some people confuse maggots and tapeworms, but these can't be maggots since you saw them in a fresh sample. They are spread by infected fleas in one way or another. Lots of people use pet store wormers, but they may not be safe or effective. She may also have other internal parasites that can't be seen with the naked eye. Sorry, I know you have problems at home right now, but she needs to see a veterinarian.
2007-04-07 01:05:02 · answer #8 · answered by ferret.friend 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You'll just have to afford it.
The test should not be $82.00. A fecal sample test is only $20 at our clinic. Perhaps the total test and medication is $82. Either way, it has to be done, I'm sure the vet can take a credit card.
2007-04-05 05:58:36 · answer #9 · answered by BVC_asst 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your puppy need to see a vet and get a prescription for a dewormer as soon as possible.
Pets need and deserve the best care...If you know you can't afford the proper care for your pet, think abou it before bringing an animal home....
What you do if you know YOU have worms????
2007-04-05 05:54:05 · answer #10 · answered by azcowgirl 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋