One Sick Puppy

[KJohnson]

hey everyone,
just a quick post for some immediate ideas.
Westin started getting sick yesterday afternoon:
diarrhea (started at about 4pm)
vomiting (starting this morning, twice so far)
he hasn't eaten since about 1pm yesterday
and we've been giving him water out of our hands since about then, also.
he hasn't really been playing... being sleepy and laying around the house.

I don't know what it could be....
we haven't changed our schedule at all, he's not stressed out...
as far as I know he didn't eat anything (unless he maybe got some of the de-icer on our walk yesterday... how would that affect him?)
I really can't think of anything that would make him sick!
I'm a worried mom.
If he doesn't eat today, I'm taking him to the vet first thing in the morning.
But I'd like to know what you all think first!
((see how much I trust you!?))
thanks.

[MyPemCharlie]

I would call the vet ASAP. Any of these symptoms alone without the others might be worth holding off overnight, but since he has all these symptoms at once I'd take him into the vet today.

So sorry to hear about the little guy. Hopefully it's nothing serious. Keep us posted with any new info. I'll send good thoughts your way.

[KJohnson]

I called the vet, gave them all his symptoms, he's going in today at 2.
Luckily they are willing to keep him until my boyfriend gets off work and can come pick him up, and that way he's not alone in the house! I'll let you know what they say later tonight. Thanks.

[MyPemCharlie]

Let them know he was swimming at the beach recently (last weekend?). I'm not a vet, but his symptoms could be from Giardia, often contracted from drinking infected water. Symptoms show up 5 days to 2 weeks later. Please let us all know how it goes. Good luck!

[KJohnson]

oh, that's right...
he was there Monday and this last Sunday too.

[MyPemCharlie]

It could be Giardia or other things, but I remembered your beach pictures and the timing for symptoms seems about right. Giardia is totally treatable, but can be more serious for puppies than adults, so I'm glad you're getting him in today (even if it's something else).

[glencorgi]

While your trust and confidence in finding an answer here is flattering, please don't ever come here first looking for "immediate" ideas or answers on a health related problem. Luckily this time there was someone on who could provide some information, but that might not always be the case. Additionally with those list of symptoms and that he had been out in ice-melt; the first call should have been to your vet, not a post to an internet forum. With a puppy, often there isn't as much leeway in seeking treatment.

Keeping the fluids in him was a good idea. You might want to pick up some pedialyte (the electrolyte liquid thing for children) when you pick him up from the vet's. I've taken to keeping the powdered packets in the electrolyte formula one can add to water on a shelf in my dog medicine shelf for emergencies.

Debbie

[colbycorgi]

hope your baby is ok....and i feel your worry as i too am a nervous nelly...and we are also dealing with a similar situation as Cammie the Corgi has "come complete with Coccidia" which we have been battling since we got her....its kinda scary when you just know somethings not right...my vet is very patient and im sure thinks me a bit nutty but i dont honestly care, thats what i pay her for....but i also agree....if either of my puppers has alarming symptoms, real or imagined...i would be pressing speed dial first....but there is always good advice here for everything else and afterwards....hope westin is feeling like himself again soon....cammie corgi kisses....

[MyPemCharlie]

My vet thinks I'm a nut too. When Charlie had 3 or 4 mild bouts of diarrhea on and off, I took a sample to my vet every time. Every sample tested negative - nothing wrong, and Charlie finally "outgrew" the loose puppy poops. On the third sample, I overheard the vet tech say loudly "Why are we doing another fecal test for Charlie????" I was worried about Coccidia or Giardia, but they never found a problem. Better safe than sorry.

Sorry to hear about Cammie. Hopefully she'll be better soon.

[KJohnson]

just so you all know, this was ONE of the first steps I took. I called the vet shortly after I posted in the first place.
Westin ingested some sort of chemical, they aren't sure what, but it was probably the de-icer. he got a shot and some pills for his nausea and his fever, and some prescription food. He can start eating tomorrow!
Thanks for your help, Chris, I appreciate it.

[colbycorgi]

Oh No!! Thats not good that he ate ice melt...i never even though of that...we are trying to de-ice and remove the snow from our deck as we need to remove the poops due to the coccidia...i guess we will have to be super diligent too...glad he will be feeling better...cammie seems to be getting a little better too since being on her meds and colby never got anything at all it seems...but as others have said, better safe than sorry!
Colby had girardia when we got him last year and it was not pretty either and very scary to us too...any time your baby is sick its a scary thing....anyhow.....
THINK SPRING!!! Ya right! But we can hope....

[Chip's Mom]

Glad to hear that is he is going to be ok. Taffy started vomiting and diarrhea Monday morning and she went right to the vet. Thankfully, the vet got her right in. She kept her all day and gave her fluids as a precautionary thing and medicine to quiet her stomach. She is doing fine now but it is scary. I am also one that rushes to the vet and ask questions later.