Dying dog?? Tips to help ?

[JAZE MOMMIE]

My husbands beagle -1 year old -has not been eating the past 8-9 days --only liquid /pureed dogfoods and that is with a big syringe -he is getting up 1-2 times a day to pee outside in the kennel area then hobbles back into the big doghouse in the soft hay to sleep --
we have NO money for vet bills -dh off work --I am a nurse and have done what I can to figure out what is wrong -
maybe ate a bone and it cut his mouth or throat is the best I can figure -no obvious trama just not opening his mouth -I tried to look inside a few times now -not able to pry his mouth open much (i am afriad he will bite me )-but he lapped water in a bowl a while ago then went to pee and back into the dog house .
I hate to see him wither but do not want to shoot him either -(dh does not want to do it )
Pain killer ideas ?
I did use vit c at first in his water .
Thanks for any help.

[Tav Mom]

Is he vomiting or has diarrhea? Is he drinking ok? To look in his mouth, use 2 washcloths, one for the bottom of his mouth and one for the top. We'd use gauze when I worked at the vets.
If he's eating and pooping, then he's not blocked. But, pups can get all sorts of parasites that could be causing him to be so lethargic and not hungry. My sister lives in La Porte and she heard of parvo going around. So, perhaps that is something to look into.
Sorry, I hope that I could help some. It is always so sad to see a pup so sad. Especially when you want to help so much!!!

[JAZE MOMMIE]

thanks -you know -he did vomit on day 1 -then would not eat and whined and would not sit down -i thought he had a broken bone somewhere but he was ok when I touched him all over but his neck -now no whining at all and he will lay down but not sit down -strange ?

[velcromom]

Is it possible he has been exposed to a poison of some kind? It sounds a lot like what happened to our dog when she got into poison the neighbor set out for a skunk without telling us... she pulled thru but has been wobbly & weak ever since. I think it damaged her joints & muscles, she moves like an 85 year old woman and has a tough time lying down.

If he's eating, drinking, pooping, peeing that is all good news. Is he feverish? Have you seen the urine - is it normal colored, no blood or cloudy pus? Normal poops? (if he goes on a kennel floor surface it's easier to tell). There are some good dog sites where you might be able to look up symptoms of canine illnesses, if you google for it.

[Dar]

You need to take him to a vet. He's clearly suffering, and this is part of the responsibility you take on when you adopt a pet. If you can't afford treatment, at least the vet can humanely euthanize him. See if the vet's office can work with you on the bill or put it on a credit card or borrow money from someone - but it's not fair to your dog to allow him to suffer like this.

[Ola_]

Originally Posted by Dar

You need to take him to a vet. He's clearly suffering, and this is part of the responsibility you take on when you adopt a pet. If you can't afford treatment, at least the vet can humanely euthanize him. See if the vet's office can work with you on the bill or put it on a credit card or borrow money from someone - but it's not fair to your dog to allow him to suffer like this.

I totally agree. And if you take him to your regular vet they may be able to work out a payment plan. Also try calling animal rescues and shelters in your area to see if they can offer any assistance either in getting affordable medical care or financially.

[tree_hugger]

ITA you need to get the dog to a vet - work out a payment plan. If you can't do that, find a shelter who will humanely euthanase him.

Where I live it is a criminal offence to deny a pet medical care, you can be fined or go to gaol.

[SophieAnn]

Originally Posted by Dar

You need to take him to a vet. He's clearly suffering, and this is part of the responsibility you take on when you adopt a pet. If you can't afford treatment, at least the vet can humanely euthanize him. See if the vet's office can work with you on the bill or put it on a credit card or borrow money from someone - but it's not fair to your dog to allow him to suffer like this.

ITA.

Please take him to a vet. Dogs are very good at hiding a great deal of pain. It's not fair at all to let him suffer. Work out a payment plan, borrow, credit card, whatever you have to do.

[JAZE MOMMIE]

I bought a big vial of Penicillin and have been giving him shots every day for the past 3 days -he is still with us but is just sleeping a lot -weak and unsteady on his feet -drinking the water I give him but not getting up to drink by himself.I tried to look in his mouth -unable to open it more than a couple inches.
-between food and vet bills -food wins-no cheap vets here either-

We do not do vets on a routine basis -we buy our own vaccines for the dog (he is supposed to be a rabbit hunting dog)-we do minimal vaxes -BTW.

[Dar]

Maybe call this place?
http://www.paaws.org/

Their website says they paid $65,000 in vet bills last year, and they're in your city.

Also in your city, the Warrick Humane Society:
http://www.warrickhumanesociety.org/

Honestly, if you can't take care of your dog you need to get him to someone who can and not just let him slowly and painfully die.

[JAZE MOMMIE]

Thanks for the thought -I emailed them for any ideas for vet care /help
They are both for rescue pets/shelter -no kill adoption shelters-and 2 miles from me --so maybe they will help.

I just had a thought---we added antifreeze about 10 days ago to my car and spilt some on the gravel--enough to hurt his throat???

[shoefairy3]

anti freeze is high poisonous and apparently animals love it. Please please please take your puppy to the vet or at the very least surrender him to the humane society. THey will take care of him and rehome him if he survives

[womenswisdom]

Any possibility he could have been hit by a car? It sounds like he may have a jaw fracture if he can't open his mouth and the stiffness could be bruising from being rolled. ITA about taking him to a vet asap btw. I hope he pulls through.

[JAZE MOMMIE]

well -it could be about anything I guess--
hit by a car --ate a turkey bone --drank antifreeze--got some disease from the new stray dog that appearred a few days before he was acting different --leukemia ?

thanks for the good tips -I am looking for tips besides "take him to the vet"
I do not mean to sound cruel -I am syringe feeding and watering him-I can give shots -he is warm in straw -bedded down in a huge doghouse-I am a hospice nurse and can care for dying people but animals are not my specialty.
Can dogs take any tylenol or advil ??

[Sol_y_Paz]

Reading this post really depresses and worries me
It has caused me a lot of sadness.
It hurts to know about the situation and not be able to help that poor pet!
First of all the puppy (1 year old Beagle, Beagles are very pack oriented, as are most domesticated dogs) sleeps outside in the winter in a kennel and has a dog bed with hay away from his family.
And then the pet is very sick and needs vet care but will be denied and possibly shot with a gun?

I do understand about funds, but this is a living life you are directly responsible for. Your pet's needs matter. My husband and I both lost our jobs when both companies went out of business (this was within a couple months time and totally different companies) and wouldn't you know that was when one of much loved dogs had the start of some serious health issues, our only clue was excessive water drinking and it wasn't an issue of if we should wait and watch his decline or shoot him. We were in a tough spot financially, the hardest ever in our lives, but it still wasn't an ethical option for us to deny his health care!

Please do not get another animal. Please. As a dog lover this breaks my heart so bad. You have gotten some good advice in this thread, get him some medical help as quick as you can.

[womenswisdom]

Is there no way for you to scrape together/borrow/whatever the $40 or so it would take to have a vet take a look at him? An exam by a qualified person would do a lot to tell you if you need to continue doing what you're doing, if he even needs antibiotics, or whether he would indeed be better off euthanized if this is something that you cannot afford to treat and that he will not recover from on his own. There is reallly no way for anyone to diagnose him online. A physical exam by a vet is going to give you so much more information and then you can make a good decision for him.

[SophieAnn]

Sol Y Paz, I agree. This thread makes me very sad too.

OP, this is a living, breathing, FEELING animal whose care you chose to take responsibility for. Either you live up to your responsibility or turn the dog over to someone who will provide him the care he needs.

I cannot even fathom how it's even possible that your dog could have been... "hit by a car --ate a turkey bone --drank antifreeze--got some disease " without your knowledge. He relies on you to keep him safe from harm too...

[mistymama]

Originally Posted by JAZE MOMMIE

thanks for the good tips -I am looking for tips besides "take him to the vet"
I do not mean to sound cruel

Taking him to the vet (or getting the dog to someone who can) is the ONLY responsible thing to do here.

You are being cruel and inhumane. Please, take the poor dog to a vet even if you drop him and run off. Take him to a shelter. Call a Beagle resuce. But please get him medical attention TODAY.

[JAZE MOMMIE]

Sorry I even posted here --I really expected some rural folk who do not use vets to offer sage advice .

I am happy to report the beagle (hunting dog -I repeat -not a "family "pet as such (and I love animals ) is much improved today -I syringe fed him puppy formula -gave another shot of penicillin and he is tail wagging and able to stand up with a bit of steadiness by me and HE ATE pureed food by himself!!!
A friend with beagles is offering us help in the am !!

[Tizzy]

I completely understand where you're coming from, I very rarely ever call the vet. I also understand that this is a utilitarian animal. I am very happy to hear he seems to be doing a little bit better. It sounds like you are doing the best you can in your current circumstances.
But, if I were in your shoes, I would have made a phone call to the vet at least. I would have explained my financial situation, described as best as I could what may have happened, have all the info on his current and past vitals etc. and the vet would be able to give advice.
I suppose that is no different than posting on an open forum, however none of the people who replied (to my knowledge) are vets who are able to diagnose and treat what is going on with your dog.
I do hope he continues to recover!