Will my puppy be OK?

Question

I got a German Shepherd puppy on Wednesday - she is absolutely gorgeous!

She has been fine since we picked her up - we got her from a good, reputable breeder and have kept her inside since picking her up. I took her for her first set of innoculations yesterday and she has been happy and playing all day. At about about six this evening she started vomiting and had really bad diarrhoea and was in pain. We called the emergency vet and took her in - they have put her on a drip and are keeping her in tonight. An X ray showed she has no obstruction in her gut but that her intestines are swollen.

I am so upset - we have done everything by the book to make sure she has the best start possible, the vet said 'I have to warn you that puppies with sickness and diarrhoea can suddenly go downhill'.

Has anybody else gone through something similar? I am not going to sleep tonight worrying that she wont get better.

My vet surgery recommended the breeder and has also said breeders dont always give a puppy its first shots - it depends on the age the puppy goes and how the puppy is kept before and after it leaves.

Is also worth mentioning that she had a proper and full health check yesterday with her jab - everything was fine then!

Answer 1

Oh, I am so sorry your pup is ill. Did the vet give you any idea what is wrong with her, any diagnosis? Also, contact eh breeder in case any of the other pups are ill. A reputable breeder will want to know.

ADDED: I know "parvo" is a scary word, but the symptoms are similar. Unfortunately, sometimes the vaccine, which isn't immediately effective because it takes time for the body to build its immunities, doesn't stop the disease. But you have done exactly what needed to be done to give your pup the best possible chance. I sincerely hope she pulls through. Good luck, and if you can, keep us posted.

Answer 2

I would definitely call the breeder and ask why she hadn't received her puppy shots before leaving. That is pretty customary.
I also have a Gorgeous German Shepherd. This is my 4th in my lifetime. She is now 7 yrs. But when we went to pick her out and up from the Breeder she puked in my car on the way home. Puked every time we went for a ride. Is getting better but occasionally still does. She was never eating well and was thin, vomiting just puny. Made several vet trips found she had infected Anal Glands. This is a big dog. Hoping it all would get better but no every 21/2 wks. back to vet to express glands and get more antibiotics. Never ever had medical problems with my other dogs until they got very old. This was driving me crazy. Finally, Surgery was the only option and the vet really didn't want to do it because she was less than a year old. Anyway everything thing turned out OK.
She is still not the healthiest GS cause she still pukes about every 3 weeks. She is the most obedient,loving, friend to all.
My neighbors are so envious because she will not leave the yard and their dogs take off down the street. Very sensitive though. Gets real upset if you are having a loud civil debate in the house. I wish the very best for your puppy and for you. I will pray it all works out and you will have your best friend for years to come. And stories to tell!!!

Answer 3

It isnt customary for puppies to have their 'shots' before leaving the breeder, as they are covered from their mother against anything for around 12 weeks.

Sounds to me like it could be an adverse reaction to the inocculation she had. I had one female, who wasnt a puppy, and was fine until she had her booster, then came home with bad vomiting and diarrhoea and we had to rush her back up the vets and she was on a drip for 24 hours. She had an injection to counter effect the booster, like an anti vac, and fortunately she recovered. She never had a booster again. I am sure your puppy is in the best place at the vets, and glad that he has X rayed her to check for obstructions. Puppies can go downhill real quick as they get dehydrated, but I do hope she is ok, and will be thinking of you.

Answer 4

Hi Em, thats really sad and i feel so sorry for you, you obviously love that puppy and it'll make you ill worrying about her but no one can tell you not to worry, you're human after all. Some breeders, however good their rating, will cut f*****g corners to save money and deny these babies their first or second innoculations therefore putting their little lives at risk. Your little girl may have distemper or parvo-virus, both of whom are killers in puppies BUT, don't panic, you got her to your vet straight away and so i think she'll pull through, they'll do all they possibly can to get rid of whatever is making her so ill. You haven't done anything wrong so please don't torture yourself thinking about what you could or couldn't have done - you did everything right! She has obviously picked up an infection from the breeders because she hasn't been anywhere else so it is THEIR fault, not yours! I'll be praying that she pulls through as i'm sure other yahoo pet lovers will be doing so all those prayers together just have to work eh? I wish her all the luck in the world, i really do x

Answer 5

I don't know how old your puppy is but it should have had the first of her series of vaccinations before she was placed in a home.

Puppies are small and it doesn't take much diarrhea or vomiting to dehydrate them. Yes, puppies can 'crash' quickly. You did the right thing to take her to the vet immediately and not wait till morning to see if she would get better. The emergency Vet is re-hydrating her and hopefully, administering meds to start to help her get well. While it sounds like Parvo, it could just be a reaction to her vaccination.

Will keep her in my thoughts that she bounces back and will be coming home tomorrow.

I would suggest that your purchasing contract be read over and see what kind of a guarantee the breeder offered you on the health of the puppy. She got sick very quickly and if it is Parvo, the breeder should return your money or offer you another puppy.

Answer 6

Hiya.... im a vet assistant and we had a similar story last week... 10 week old pup in the same situation, she was very poory and the outlook was bleak, but... she pulled through. You have done everything correctly, and not all breeders give the 1st innoculation... doesnt mean he's not reputable, (soz this is just in answer to the 1st comment you got).
She is in the best hands now, please try not to worry... i always say- worrying will not change anything... but i know thats easier said than done.
The vet is preparing you for the worst, just incase, keep in regular contact with the vet they may even let you visit. I sincerly hope everything is ok.... German shepherds are my ultimate fave dog.... they are strong- she wont give up easy xxx

Answer 7

I think it'd be wrong for anyone to mention what could be wrong. There are so many possibilities to the cause of this and you simply must wait this one out.

Please do not think this has anything you have done, puppies get sick. It could be something so simple. The vet has been honest with you but hopefully he'll have good news for you next time you speak with them.

It can always be difficult when dealing with a sick puppy - of course you'll find it difficult to sleep but try not to worry too much, you need to try to be positive.

Hope all goes well, as I'm sure it will.

Answer 8

Hi,she must have picked up some enteritis from somewhere-how awfulfor you.You have done the very best ting as no doubt the vet has given her fluids andantibiotics.My dog had severe diarrhoea last year at the age og 12months,thankfully I did as you have done and whizzed her to the vets- there was no explanation for the diarrhoea. She is now fine but the vet said she wouldnt have been if we hadnt taken her in. So you have done the very best thing for your pup.

Answer 9

Awwwwwww, that is really sad.
Since her intestines are swollen it could be fatal - However you have caught it pretty early and did well in getting the emergency vet and taking your dog to it.
I haven't been through anything similar, but if you purchase a dog again it is best to get it from a member of family or a family friend that breeds them. That way you know exactly what happens to them through the birth - after birth and up to selling. I hope your dog gets better. Let us know what happens. Good Luck and best wishes.

Answer 10

She's with the vet, so she's in the best place. They warn you about 'going downhill' because she could dehydrate and make her weak. The vet will probably put her on fluids which will really help her.

My dogs haven't been through this, but my eldest was rushed to the vets once, were given the same warnings, because of her age. a night on fluids did her the world of good before having an operation. she's still running around driving me crazy.

Try not to worry