I am torn as to whether to take my puppy to the vet. I am extremely low on funds (college student) and a typical visit to the vet here costs at least $100. I have looked up low cost options, but the only things offered are vaccine clinics.
Anyway, my puppy has repeated itching with his hind legs. I found a few fleas on him about a week ago, but there are no signs of them left (he had a capstar flea treatment, and I cleaned the whole house). He also has a cough. However, he has had this since the day I got him. When I took him for his first vet visit a month ago, the vet told me that the "cough was on its way out" and there is nothing to do for it. The vet also gave him the bordatella vaccine. This cough seems to get MUCH worse when my puppy is laying down, such as last night when he was in his crate. He was asleep, I came into the room and he woke up, coughing horribly. This only lasts <5 seconds, but it is intense. Vet or no? Should I wait and see if these symptoms get better?
2007-10-30 00:39:46 · 19 answers · asked by theprize 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Thanks for all the answers! No need to be rude here...I can afford the vet, I just don't want to take him if it's nothing. He IS on frontline, and he got fleas...not my fault. I also have been vaccuming twice a day, freeze the vaccum bag, wash linens in hot water. I think the fleas are gone. My puppy is 3.5 months old.
2007-10-30 02:17:26 · update #1
Does the cough sound like he has a bone stuck in his throat? If he has had it, and the vet heard it, it is probably just KC which is bronchitis. It will go away unless he develops a secondary infection and pneumonia. That would be something you would have to assess yourself, if the cough is worse than before or not. If he is worse not better than he needs a vet.
Fleas can be better controlled with Frontline. Most vets sell it one tube at a time OTC for about fifteen dollars. Capstar is only a short term problem solver. The flea eggs will rehatch in a few days. This wouldn't warrant a vet's appt, just a good flea product.
So the answer would be, if the cough is not getting worse, I would wait. And fleas don't warrant a vet's appt, just a good flea killer.
I understand being young and having an animal that you love. You are doing well to care about these issues.
2007-10-30 01:55:50 · answer #1 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having a low budget is NOT reason not to take an animal to a vet. It's not the puppy's fault you got him when you couldn't afford him, his health shouldn't have to suffer.
The fleas can be treated without having to actually take the dog to the vet - you can buy Frontline at a vets without taking him in. Don't get any flea treatment from a pet store - these don't work so you'd be wasting your money.
Pick up the phone and tell your vet the cough is worse. They do say that after the Bordatella vaccine a cough can worsen for a while (Bordatella is the main cause of kennel cough).
You should never 'wait to see if the symptoms get better' - that's the way to make problems worse, and even more expensive. So get on the phone to your vet and stop relying on Yahoo for medical advice.
Chalice
2007-10-30 08:08:16 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fact that your dog is coughing horribly at night is a reason for concern. This is a common symptom of kennel cough. The cough is much worse at night than during the day. If it progresses, it could turn into pneumonia and then you are looking at real vet bills. Many vets will tell you that Bordatella vaccines are pretty much useless because kennel cough is a virus. My vet doesn't recommend them at all.
Puppies health can go downhill much faster than an adult dog, so you really need to suck it up and take your dog to the vet.
2007-10-30 09:34:16 · answer #3 · answered by anne b 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ONe find another vet. Bordetella just like any vaccine can not be given if pet is sick.
Second the flea bites may still itch but capstar should have been followed by a frontline treatment.
Third Im worried about the cough. How old is the puppy?
2007-10-30 07:56:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It seems to me that your pup has kennel cough and you should seek out your vet. My Labs have had kennel cough twice and my youngest was under a year. The vet said that the younger your pup is, the harder it is for them to overcome kennel cough and that it could lead to serious illness if not treated.
If the vet costs about $100 then you are getting ripped off. My local vet is $41.50 for an office visit. Call around to find a better suited vet and explain your money situation. They may be able to offer you a payment plan that will work for you.
Good luck and praying your puppy gets better soon!
2007-10-30 09:02:52 · answer #5 · answered by Shannon 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your puppy to the vet as soon as possible. I don't want to scare you but a cough is definately not a good sign and I'm shocked the vet told you the cough was "on it's way out". They may have to do tests which will cost you money but when you bring a pet into your home it is your responsibility to take care of it for the rest of it's life. If you can't afford to look after them properly you really shouldn't have a pet.
2007-10-30 07:54:20 · answer #6 · answered by EcHo 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go to the vet- go to different on to your vet just to get a second opinion.
The cost of raising a pup should have been considered by you when you got the pup and if you can't afford basic necessities- like going to the vet you shouldn't really have a dog in the first place- as dogs take up much money and time but in return they always give u a smile.
Birng the pup to the vet- who knows what it could be!
2007-10-30 08:37:22 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to have this pup on something like Frontline or Advantage for flea prevention. The Capstar will kill fleas on the animal immediately, but it does not last long at all. The cough? It could be nothing, but could be from roundworms or lungworms. I would bring him in to the vet for the vet to look at him. Is he up to date on all of his shots? The cough could even be from something wrong with his heart.
2007-10-30 07:46:05 · answer #8 · answered by bear 2 zealand © 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First of all, I would search around for a less expensive vet. Try looking a little bit out of town.
As for fleas, one capstar is NOT enuf to kill the flea cycle. You need to continue treating until the flea cycle has ended, or they will just come back.
2007-10-30 08:06:26 · answer #9 · answered by Shadow's Melon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look up resources in your county for low income pet owners. I know that the Humane Society here will give immunizations and spay or neuter your pets for a portion of what a vet would charge. You definately need to make sure your puppy is treated and that he has had all of his shots, etc. Do a search on the breed of your puppy by typing in "health problems (breed)". You will see a list of health problems that are common in certain breeds. Also, you can get pet insurance rather inexpensively at http://www.gopetplan.com/. They are the ONLY pet insurance company to cover hereditary and genetic diseas and disorders. They even pay for acupuncture and hydrotherapy!
2007-10-30 07:59:35 · answer #10 · answered by thekatsmeow1969 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋