need some advice?

Question

this is for a friend.the puppys dont have parvo but are gettin extremly skinny and barfed up worms this just started happening they r giving them eltrolites and pumin them with fluids.the vet wants $8,000 for all of them to do test and stuff like that i already told them to go to the vet that cant afford it and id ont need rude commets please i need suggestions,they r giving them fluids every half hour.thank you

3 puppys by the way

2 months and shots

Answer 1

I dont understand why it would be 8,000 if it is not parvo and it is worms like you say it is then a dewormer should be fine, but if he is constantly vomiting than radiographs of the stomach will be helpful (to make sure its not a foreign body or anything else) and IV fluids to help keep up with his hydration. If he is vomiting then simply giving his water and electrolytes is not working (b/c he keeps throwing it up)
And like you said if it is worms .. then deworming should be enough - and if the vomiting continues then IV fluids will be a must

Answer 2

This advice is for your friend and not you !!!!!! The dogs need vet care. Why did you breed a litter if you didn't have the financial backing in case anything went wrong? This is why people who know little or nothing about dogs should not breed. Breeding a litter often has nasty suprises like this or an emergency c - section that cost lots of money.
I think part of the story is missing. Get another vet and fast. Puppies fade very quickly when they are ill. Could be heart worm, could be parvo - you won't ever know unless you visit the vet. You want a cheap alternative and we can't give you one. How are you pumping them full of fluids if you haven't seen a vet? Did you do your own IV?
I don't think you have contacted the vet at all. You just want a cheap solution to a problem which should never have occured. Face facts - you need a vet which will cut into your profits so you don't want to pay. Honour your obligation to these living and breathing creatures, brought into the world because their parents weren't desexd when they should have been. You caused it so you fix it!!
And again - this is for your "friend"!!!

Answer 3

Tell your friend to find another vet.

I can't IMAGINE what would cost $8000!

Depending on where you live, an office visit, the tests, and medicine for all 3 puppies shouldn't be more than $300.
$500 at the absolute most!!!

What kind of fluids? By mouth or with a needle? Still, unless all 3 puppies are in intensive care with constant monitoring, it shouldn't be anywhere near $8000!

Did they give a de-wormer? You have to get the one from the vet. The over the counter ones don't work.

Answer 4

I'm afraid I really think it DOES sound like parvo. At 2 months, they have not had a full series of vaccinations and are not completely protected from parvo. I cna't imagine needing $8000 in tests to diagnose three puppies. A prudent vet would test one, if they are all displaying the exact same symptoms, and treat the rest based on the diagnosis of the one. If not parvo, it could be girardia or coccidia. Find a more conservative vet, and have one of them tested for parasites, parvo, and distemper. For financial help, have them go to www.carecredit.com or call 1-800-365-8295 This can help them get the money to treat the pups.

Answer 5

If I were them i'd give the pups up if it's going to cost that much. I work at the dog pound and seen pups throw up worms it's just means they have alot of worms and of course are thin but we give them some pills then they are fine and gain weight after a few days can't see why it would be more than 100 a pup, maybe a shelter can take care of them . Pups with a large worm burden will vomit them and be all boney, the worms are eating all the food, its as simple as giving them a de wormer from the vet for it to be powerful enough I don't see where it would cost so much, time for a new vet.

Answer 6

I really do not want to be rude and I was going to skip this question and go on to another. I probably should have.

Someone is off here regarding the cost of the vet. No vet can give you a price or quote BEFORE even knowing what is wrong with every dog. $8,000 is ridiculous. It couldn't possibly cost that much.

The dogs did not get in this poor condition over night. I don't think you or your friend have any idea what you are doing or the problems you are causing these dogs. I think you should take every dog she/he has and turn them in to the vet. Or ask him who would take them and get them healthy. Then they can be adopted out.
I am trying to help the animals here. They deserve much better, informed treatment.

Answer 7

Firstly how do you know they don't have parvo without the tests being done?
They are obviously very sick and need vet care this is not something you or your friend can treat yourself even if it is just a severe case of worms and or gastro intestinal upset. Animals are expensive to keep and care for properly and the only option I can see that you have is to try another vet but either way they do need a vet. Good Luck.

Answer 8

Have they been given worm medicine? If not, it's relatively inexpensive to purchase and should be given to the pups immediately. The estimate for the vet sounds extremely high especially considering that there is not even a diagnosis at this point. Check around at the local colleges. There may be a vet school that you could take the pups to for a discounted fee. Continue giving fluids and change their diet, but that is not going to take care of the worms.

Answer 9

It sounds like a serious worm burden to me. Parvo is unlikely unless the pups have been exposed to it by moving onto different ground, or, thier mum has picked it up and brought it in, is she sick also? you dont mention the puppys age. When puppys are born, they, and they're area should be kept isolated, with reduced handling until they are old enough for vaccinations. I suggest you contact another vet for a more reasonable price. Be sure to worm the puppys every 2wks until at least 8wks old, and, treat all your other pets also. Mabye yourself too! A serious worm burden can cause blockages in the intestine and it can be fatal.

Answer 10

The only for sure way to find out what is wrong and how to fix it is by getting them tested at the vets. I suggest doing some fund raisers if they can't afford it. Have a yard sale. Do a bake sell. I know it seems as if taking a step back to the fourth grade but it will help. I really hope things work out.