Sick Puppy: Help, I really need a pep talk

buddydobe · 06-27-2008, 12:51 PM

Ok, this is a long one. The last few days have been the hardest I've had in a long while. My little boy Django is coming up on 12 weeks, and well he's had a really rough week.

Started having diarrhea a few days back, and then was throwing up. At first I thought it was b/c he had eaten a bunch of sticks and grass etc in the yard. I put him on a bland diet, and he still wasn't keeping food down. Went to the Animal ER. Checked for Parvo...negative. They gave him a shot of Pepcid and a shot of fluids under the skin for dehydration. (that means that I've had to take him out to pee every 10-15 minutes at least for the first half of the day) Next day, he didn't get any better. So off to the vet. Checked for Parvo again....negative. They said he had fleas, and that it probably was tapeworm, so treated him for that. Another shot for dehydration. $500 in vet bills so far this week.

He was INSANE yesterday. Totally restless. Would not lay down. Slept only an hour all day until he, thank god, slept at night. During the day he freaked if I put him in the crate. (which he normally is good about) He was super testy all day. And almost OCD about food. He'd go in the kitchen and just hang out and whimper to try to get more food. I'm sure it was b/c of his poor tummy and meds. He's normally super good and obedient, but the last few days were ridiculously tough. I wouldn't let him "win" though. But gosh it took everything I had. Normally I train him multiple times a day, but I use treats, and haven't been doing as much b/c I don't want to upset his stomach, and more honestly, I haven't had the energy.

Anyway, he seems more like himself today, but still not out of the woods yet by any means. I'm totally exhausted from the last few days. I have nothing left. This is my first puppy ever, and it's a 24/7 undertaking for me. But a very sick puppy, well I have to be honest, it's been beyond my threshold. I'm doing it all alone with no help. I'm embarrassed to admit this, but this week has been so hard, I've even questioned whether or not getting him was the right move, as I've have no life this week, just super sick puppy land.

Any words of wisdom from the forum would be SO appreciated.

Pammy1022 · 06-27-2008, 01:07 PM

I will keep you both in my thoughts - remember he is counting on YOU and he trusts you. Other than taking him to the vet (can you try another vet maybe) just be there for him.

Hang in there. I hope he feels better soon!

**dobekiss** · 06-27-2008, 01:08 PM

Oh you poor thing, that's just rotten luck and so exhausting. You are doing everything right but it's unfortunate you don't have help because when you're tired, scared and worried it sure can help to have a companion. You must be so drained. Puppies can get the worst sickies and I remember back when Kona was a puppy, we were on a trip, unexpected snow AND we were in a tent. That was stupid. Kona got a bug, projectile puking and barfing and there was nothing I could do and she was sooo sick. Have you thought about checking his heart with an Echo cardiogram to make sure that's OK? It will be the first thing I get checked anytime a bad illness passes thru any Dobe I ever have. Just hang in there, it will be OK, be strong, sleep when he's sleeping and try so hard to not let your fears and frustrations impact your dealings with him. He will pick up on it and it won't help. Don't be embarassed to admit you are rethinking the wiseness of being a mom to him, I must have reached that threshold myself 50x during puppyhood, even went so far to call the breeder (an idiotic BYB when I didn't know better) to ask what the hell was wrong with my psycho puppy. I was alone with her 24/7 and ready to run screaming into the woods and abondon it all. PM me if you want to talk buddydobe and keep checking this thread, you will get loads of support from very wonderful people. BREATHE.....pour a glass of something

**dobermansrule** · 06-27-2008, 01:16 PM

first, dobies ARE demanding. No doubt about it. They will take as much as you are willing to give of yourself.

That said, be realistic. You took him to the vet and serious illness (Parvo) ruled out - check. So we can safely assume the little pup is not dying. He feels bad. He is needy. But you can give yourself a break. You have to give yourself permission to have time to yourself. Crate the little guy. Get out of the house for an hour or so here and there. If the puppy gets too used to you being there at his every beck-and-call, he could develop separation anxiety issues, so it's in both of your's best interest to have some time apart.

And start cutting him back over to his real food and back to his regular amount and the eating thing will take care of itself.

and once he is feeling better - the best way to deal with a needy dobie puppy is to wear them out - exercise and training. It's amazing, but challenging their minds seems to wear them out more than raw exercise.

Dont give up. I promise it gets better and you'll really be proud when he is standing tall and proud as a young dober-man.

CoDobe · 06-27-2008, 01:20 PM

Wow - you have had A LOT to deal with this last week. I am so sorry that your little guy is sick.

I know it's been very difficult and I'm sorry that you've had a rough go at it. You are doing exactly what you need and should be doing for your little guy. I know this is trying your patience, and making you second-guess your decision to buy him, but think about what he would happen if he didn't have somebody as loving and caring as you to take care of him? Take comfort in that you and he were brought together for a reason, and he is depending on you to help him through this.

When my Min Pin got sick last year, I had no idea what was going on with her. She was lethargic, wasn't eating, making messes in the house (she was 10 at the time) and my husband and I were at a loss as to what was going on. We were constantly cleaning up after her, our carpets were getting trashed, and our hardwood floors were getting demolished. I knew something was wrong with her, so after a couple days of this going on, we finally took her to the vet. My worst fears were confirmed - she had developed pyometra (my husband never had her spayed - I was with him for about a year at that time), and as a result, she devloped an infection in her uterus. The vet told us that she needed to be operated on right away (in the next 2-3 days) or she would die. They were going to charge us $1300 for the operation and I knew we couldn't have afforded that. I have never felt more helpless in my life. We told the vet that we couldn't afford the surgery and we tearfully left the clininc w/o knowing what we were going to do to save her. But instead of giving up, I knew that we had to protect and save her at all costs - I was not going to give up.

I used the internet to research low-cost clinics that might be able to help. After searching for about 3 hours that night, my prayers were answered and I found a clinic that could do her ovariahysterectomy (sp) for about $350. That was certainly more managable than $1300, and I made an appt to bring her in the next day. The day of her surgery was the longest day of my life - I took at day off from work, and made the hour trip to the clinic for her operation. I got there, filled out the paperwork and I was a nervous wreck. They weighed her and took her back, and I never got a chance to say good-bye. I have NEVER cried so much in my life as I did that day. I patiently waited by the phone for an update on her surgery, and alas, at 4:00 that afternoon, the vet called me and said she was fine and all was a success.

The next week, our vet examined her and found a fatty substance under her front leg - almost looked like a big bug bite, although, it was not as simple as a bug bite. To spare you with the long details, we found out that she has Stage II mammory tumors which have attached themselves to her body. We elected to have her go through another surgery (2 weeks after her hysterectomy) to remove one of the tumors and have it fully tested. My poor girl went through two major operations in two weeks and it tried my patience & faith like no other. It was also the worst two weeks of my life.

Why am I telling you all of this? Because I want you to see that we all have had those trying and challenging times were we question ourselves, our judgement, our ability to make good decisions. It's in those times in which you really find out your strengths. The only thing that kept me going through Shelby's (Min Pin) ordeal is that we made a committment to her to provide and take care of her, at no cost. I could not let her down.

You must not let Django down - he is depending on you. Keep your head up, persevere through this, and use DT members for support and guidance. We are pulling for you two, and I sincerely hope he gets well and has a happy life with you. You're doing a great job. Keep telling yourself "One day at a time".

Feel free to PM me directly if you ever want to talk or vent.

We're here for you.

Heather

cookie725 · 06-27-2008, 01:21 PM

I don't have any good advice (I'm sorry), other than stay strong and don't give up. I've found there are a lot of good people on this forum for support! And then some.
Everything will work out, take a breather, and a step back.
We are here for you!

katekev04 · 06-27-2008, 01:26 PM

When our Teddy was about 14 weeks, We used to bring him over my fathers house when we went to work. Well, one night we brought him home and he had bumps all over him. He's been in my fathers backyard before with no problem but I could see he must have gotten into something. Well, Teddy was restless all night, crying, wouldn't lay down. Called our old vet who said to give him benadryl ( which really isn't the best choice-another reason why I left that vet). Nothing helped and my poor wife stayed up with him all night and took the day off from work. It took about two days to clear up and the advice I can give to you is "hang in there" and always consult a vet or a specialist. It's hard because our "friends" can't talk and let us know whats going on with them. When this passes you'll have lots of time to do the fun things with your pup and they will surely outweigh the tough times.

JagerMonster · 06-27-2008, 02:25 PM

We must be having the same week...Jager although has been on and off for three weeks...last night I thought I was going to lose it. After looking for alternative chewing ideas because he also can not have treats, rawhide, nothing than his bland diet and working him back to his new food regiment...I got him a soup bone boy did that go wrong!!! Jage and I had about two hours of sleep after weeks of many nights of no sleep. He is also getting to quite needy about food because the poor little guy is just pushing it through him! I sooooo feel your pain!! We also ruled out worms, Parvo, allergies, etc etc...some puppies just have little sensitve bellies. Jager gets one more week to go back on a regular diet of puppy food per vet (we go in Monday for a check up) and then we either have to go a special diet of their food or what we want do do is go RAW but after the soup bone I need to do more research...could be just a fluke I guess. He has also lost a lot of weight. In puppy class I got of looks like are you feeding your dog and people even asked me...don't you think I am already worried enough!!!

On the bright side, you are bonding with your puppy!!!!! You are his hero because you are doing whatever you can to make him better!!

So cute last night it was like Jager knew I was tired but he just could not hold it...he BARELY whimpered...it was like sorry momma...but I gotta go again. I just wanted to squeeze him and give him kisses but I was too tired to even think past did I remember to put my shoes on? UG!!

Hang in there and I will do the
same!!!

PS Someone on this forum said bananas for dehydration works well and pumpkin with the rice/boiled meat. Both have helped Jager!!

MY69RS · 06-27-2008, 03:42 PM

Hang in there, I too know it can get a bit rough at times. I went through a portion of what you guys went through. It can be tough. My two had it back and forth for a while. The best improvement i got was form changing there food. good luck with things keep us informed.

buddydobe · 06-27-2008, 04:42 PM

I can't thank you all enough for all the kind words of support. I don't know what I'd do without this forum. It helps to know that lots of you have been through, or are going through similar times. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts! It helps restore a bit of my confidence. Those of you who offered to let me PM you, thank you SO much....don't be surprised if I do! lol

So far so good today, he's much more like himself, although still on the testy side. Hang in there too Jager, I guess we're not alone!