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Posted by Topic subject:   Update on Paige: The Puppy that would not eat.
jennifer_mckellar
Member

Posts: 16
From:Irving, TX, United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-08-2003 09:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jennifer_mckellar     Edit/Delete Message
Unfortunately, we had come home today to find that our puppy passed away. My four year old son came in before we even noticed that it had happened. He took his freind over their excitedly to show her his new puppy. They both thought that the puppy was sleeping. He tried to wake her up, by that time I was already in tears. We had given her the dewormer this morning, and been feeding her with a syringe. Unfortunately, she could not make until Monday to go see a vet. I appreciate everyones advice on the situation. I do not know what I am supposed to tell my son. He is not old enough to understand the concept of death, and I am afraid that in the morning we she is not there that he will be upset. If you have any helpful advice, I would appreciate it. Thank you.

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Sincerely,
Jennifer McKellar

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nern
Member

Posts: 889
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 11-08-2003 10:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for nern     Edit/Delete Message
Im so sorry for your loss

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neek
Member

Posts: 196
From:Australia
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-09-2003 12:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for neek     Edit/Delete Message
It is better for your son to learn the truth about death from a family pet rather than having to explain it when a friend or family member passes away. Be honest and don't dance around the fact the the pup has died. All children react differently about death and seriously it's good for him to cry. He most probably will want to talk about it. And most importantly answer any questions he may have truthfully.

I hope this helps.

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NewLabOwnr
Member

Posts: 116
From:New York, USA
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-09-2003 06:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for NewLabOwnr     Edit/Delete Message
So sorry to hear about your puppy.

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Jazmyns_daddy
Member

Posts: 22
From:valparaiso, indiana
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-09-2003 09:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jazmyns_daddy     Edit/Delete Message
so very very sorry to hear about the loss. thought for sure we had it nailed with the whole dewormer idea. did they give you any idea as to the actuall cause of death if you dont mind my asking. will you be looking into a new companion?. could ease the pain of telling your little one. sorry again.
steve

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jennifer_mckellar
Member

Posts: 16
From:Irving, TX, United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-09-2003 10:08 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jennifer_mckellar     Edit/Delete Message
We have decided that we are going to get a hamster or a guinie pig. They reguire less maitnence and our less likely to get as sick. Plus, if something happens to the hamster we can replace it. We thought about replacing the puppy, but my husband and I our afraid to get another one. This is the first pet that we have had, that died. I am just afraid that it will happen again. Plus, since the dog did have worms getting another one right now would probably not be the best thing to do. Thanks for your concern. And the cause of death was simply malnutricion. Since the worms were upsetting her stomach she wasn't eating. She just began eating a little bit the day before she passed, but I guess it was to late. Her little body was just warn out.

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debslegacyofgold
Member

Posts: 50
From:Post Falls,Idaho
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-09-2003 12:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for debslegacyofgold     Edit/Delete Message
Im sorry for your loss. When we loose animals at our house we tell our kids the truth..That that peticular animal had a special purpose and when they have finished their jobs here on earth and now they have went to live with heavenly father and all their ancesters and friends that have passed. When my old horse had to be put down my kids were sad but delt with it extremly well because of thier understanding of death.Now when an animal dies my kids are sad and cry but usually my daughter will pipe up and say" its ok mama theyre going to see grandma and grandpa and Debbie(horse)"

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Cowgirls live hard, ride hard,and love forever!!

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GoodboysBaddogs
Member

Posts: 217
From:Los Angeles, Ca.
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-09-2003 02:31 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoodboysBaddogs     Edit/Delete Message
Thats just downright terrible!!!
Something to r e a l l y consider in the future of any pet you might own is to try to find out if the vet is knowledgable w/ your specific pet(s).
And most definatly, CHANGE YOUR VET from the one you mentioned before. I could easily blame him for not considering a freakin eating disorder & it's relations... Unfortunatly for us (not being VETS), sometimes we have to depend on professionals to help us when our loved ones get ill & need medical attention, etc.. And, there are some vets out there that take advatage of this situation of ours, and simply do a whole run around type treatment on our companions. Thats why it'll always be a beter trip to the vet if you have some knowledge & understanding of whats going on w/ your pet(s).
I'm pretty sure A-LOT of us have gone through this "run-around" treatment before, not even knowing. See, when you have an good idea of whats going on, you can see through the whole game they play. Be in charge, for the sake of your loved ones, & your pocket expenses . That's also why it's important to find the "right" hospital & establish a good relationship w/ your pets veterinarian. Don't forget that it's a business world out there, sadly to say... So sorry for your loss.
Tell your son the truth, when time permits. It's an important time for a good L I F E lesson. It'll only better him as a young-man. Boy!?-- May goodness be w/ you & yours.

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...it's the understanding of what's wrong, when you only know how to do right...

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puttin510
Member

Posts: 839
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 11-09-2003 02:34 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for puttin510     Edit/Delete Message
Ahh, I feel so sad for you all. I'm so sorry things did not go the right way.

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Ahkahna
Member

Posts: 91
From:Savannah, GA
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 11-09-2003 04:57 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Ahkahna     Edit/Delete Message
Ya know what, it sounds a lot like it could have been parvo as well as the worms. Did your puppy have it's parvo shots when you got it??

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susan_cude@hotmail.com
Member

Posts: 81
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-09-2003 06:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for susan_cude@hotmail.com     Edit/Delete Message
I agree with cowgirl's response. I'll pray for your boy. So So sorry! Don't give up on having a sweet little dog in your families life, there's nothing like it! they bring such joy "most of the time" Maybe not right away, but I wouldn't count that idea out completely in the future...Again I'm so sorry...Sincerely, Susan

P.s. I'd like to strangle your vet...sounds like a kwak.......Sorry you probably don't need to hear that right now...

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jennifer_mckellar
Member

Posts: 16
From:Irving, TX, United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-09-2003 10:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for jennifer_mckellar     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you for all the concern. And, I think that everyone is right...I should not use that vet anymore. Infact, had it not been for the internet, we would not have known what was wrong. After I took some advice on getting my dog to eat, it threw up the worms. Had that not happened we would not have known what was wrong. I am glad that I figured out what was wrong with her before she died, I was afraid that it was something that we had done. I now know that she had the worms before we got her. The size of them where about 6 inches. Those are fully grown. It takes a month for a worm to become fully grown, and we had only had the puppy for three weeks. The breeder had told us that they had given her dewormer, and assured us that it was just a precaution. Come to find out, the mother had worms and passed it onto her little ones. I am sure that there are other owners that bought from them going thru the same promblem right now. Anyways, we went to the pet store and got my son a gerbil today. He loves her..and named her Dori off the movie Finding Nemo. I think that we have decided to hold off on getting another dog anytime soon. We also decided to tell him that the puppy was sick and had to go home to its mommy to make it feel better. HE is only 3, and did n ot understand the concept of death. When anyone ask about the puppy he just tells that she missed her mommy and had to go home. Again, think you for your concerns. I really do appreciate it.

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-09-2003 10:37 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Jennifer, I am so sorry about you losing your pup, it's never easy and it's never fair. I did want to tell you though, that most puppies have worms, they do get them from their mom, I have never had a puppy who didn't have them. Thats why deworming a pup is routine. Even a dog on a routine deworming schedule can have a few worms present. while at the emergency vets tonight with my own dog, we had to wait a long while and I actually asked the vet tech about your situation, her first response was "parvo", she said those are the symptoms and asked why your vet didn't test for it right away. Of course I didn't know...but you should be aware that if that is what your pup died of it is highly contagious and stays in the environment for a long period of time, in your house, yard etc. You should consider reading up on the disease before bringing another puppy home so that you will know how to clean appropriately and avoid it happening again. I have never had to deal with parvo but I hear about it so often and it's very sad and harsh my heart goes out to you.

There are some articles here about parvo if you'd like to read them. http://www.auspet.com/cgi-bin/NewBoard/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=Articles+-+Dog+Care+|AMP|+Health&number=9&DaysPrune=1000&LastLogin=

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Jamiya
Member

Posts: 501
From:
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-10-2003 06:24 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jamiya     Edit/Delete Message
I'm so sorry for your loss!

You might be surprised what a 3-year-old can understand. I think death is more complicated for adults than for kids. It's pretty simple for them. God decided to take the puppy home. He won't wake up and we can't be with him anymore, but he will be in our hearts forever. He's with God now. And if you don't believe in God, then substitute "happy place" or the Rainbow Bridge story.

It's much easier for a child to learn about death through a pet than through a loved person. And it doesn't have to be a scary and mysterious thing, either. There are some children's books that talk about the death of a pet - one about a boy and his mouse comes to mind.

Good luck with the gerbil. Remember, they only live about 2 years. When we got our kids their first mice, I prepared them the day they got them that they only live 1-2 years, and that's a full and happy life for a mouse. My son's mouse died last spring and while he was 10 years old at the time, it was still difficult for him. But I didn't lie to him and I didn't make up a story. We had a funeral service and he helped dig the hole in the backyard. He didn't want to see the mouse after it was dead, but we gave him the choice. They say seeing the body is an important part of the grieving process, but of course I would not force anyone who doesn't want to.

We had several more mouse deaths in the months that followed, including the little white mouse our son "saved" from the pet store where he was being picked on by the other mice in the cage. He decided to get him neutered so he could live with the girls, but he died under the anaesthetic. I seriously considered replacing the mouse with another little white mouse and not telling him, but that was the coward's way out. Instead, we talked about decisions and hindsight and doing the best we can with the information we have when we need to make the decision. Then I told him what happened. He was very upset, but he didn't blame himself or second-guess his decision to have the surgery.

I can only hope my children will not have to deal with the death of a human loved one for a very long time. I, myself, never lost anyone close to me until last November when my grandfather passed away. But if the worst ever did happen, at least my kids have a foundation to build on.


Jamiya

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jennifer_mckellar
Member

Posts: 16
From:Irving, TX, United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-10-2003 11:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jennifer_mckellar     Edit/Delete Message
We did try to tell are son the truth, but he did not understand. I was not going to push the issue. Right after we told him what had happened, he came into the livingroom and wanted to know where the puppy was. He did not grasp the idea of death, and didn't understand where his puppy went. We told him that the puppy had to go home to his mommy because she was sick. He understands that and when anyone ask about the puppy...he simply tells them that it was sad and had to go home to his mommy. Plus, he understands that the puppy is not coming back. He said his goodbyes, and simply thinks that the last time he saw her she was sleeping. I think that this was the best way for him to deal with it. While some kids might understand at his age, he did not. I have no promblem with that..I do not necessarily think that it is a good thing to have a three year old that does understand what death is. We got him a gerbil, and he has adjusted fine. He named her Dori, and plays with her every day.

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susan_cude@hotmail.com
Member

Posts: 81
From:Santa Maria, Ca.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-10-2003 09:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for susan_cude@hotmail.com     Edit/Delete Message
Sounds to me like you handled that real well.... Take care, Susan

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Karriesue
Member

Posts: 110
From:Nellis AFB, Nevada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 11-10-2003 09:41 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Karriesue     Edit/Delete Message
I think you handled it well also. There is no easy way to explain death to a child so young. I most likely would have handled it like you did. You went with the flow, he didn't understand, so you used something that he did understand. From what you said, he is OK with that so I think you should be proud with how you handled it overall. I hope things work out for you. Also, consider what Maisey said in her post that it could have been parvo. If you do decide to get another dog, everything that the dog touched and came in contact with should be bleached. That nasty disease can live a long time without treatment of the sort and can kill another dog that it comes in contact with. Please don't let this experience hamper the idea of getting another dog. This wasn't your fault. Plus having a stink for a vet didn't help matters much either. Take care and if you ever need us again, we will all be here. This is a great board with great people and we all wish you luck.

[This message has been edited by Karriesue (edited 11-10-2003).]

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jennifer_mckellar
Member

Posts: 16
From:Irving, TX, United States
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 11-12-2003 12:22 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for jennifer_mckellar     Edit/Delete Message
Thank you all very much for your concern and your help. I am happy to anounce that my son is doing fine. We went and got another gerbil the other day. (named Deb, another character from Finding Nemo.) He now has two pets that he loves very much, and is not upset about Paige anymore. Deb and Dori, are doing just fine too. I did have a question though. If my dog did have parvo is it possible for the gerbils to get, or for that matter what risk does it pose to me and my family? Also, what exactly is parvo? And, how do I find out if that is what the dog had? I just want to make sure that no more animals get sick. I know that the worms were contatious to people so I was wondering if parvo is to. Please post your coments to let me know. And thank you again for all your help.

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Maisey
Member

Posts: 585
From:Portland, Oregon US
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 11-12-2003 12:54 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Maisey     Edit/Delete Message
Glad to hear your son has adjusted and is happy.

Auspet - Message Boards
Articles - Dog Care & Health
Diseases - Symptoms of canine parvo virus

Symptoms of canine parvo virus
Canine parvovirus (CPV) is the most dangerous and contagious virus that affects unprotected dogs. When it was first discovered in 1978, most of the puppies under five months old and 2% to 3% of older dogs died from CPV. But subsequently a parvo vaccine has helped control its spread, and CPV infection is now considered most threatening to puppies between the time of weaning and six months of age. Adult dogs can also contract the virus, although it's relatively uncommon. All breeds of dog can be infected, but Rottweilers and Doberman Pinschers are more susceptible and have less chance of recovering.


CPV affects only dogs, and cannot be transmitted to humans or other species. However, other animals and humans can carry it to dogs. Dogs who become infected have a 50-50 chance of survival. If they survive the first four days, they will usually recover rapidly, and become immune to the virus for life. Most puppies will die without medical treatment.


The source of CPV infection is fecal waste from infected dogs. It has been diagnosed anywhere groups of dogs are found: dog shows, obedience trials, breeding and boarding kennels, pet shops, animal shelters, parks, and playgrounds. Dogs that spend their time confined to a house or yard and are not in contact with other dogs have much less chance of exposure to CPV. It's easily transmitted via the hair or feet of infected dogs, and also by contaminated objects such as cages or shoes. CPV is hardy and can remain in feces-contaminated ground for five months or more if conditions are favorable. Although most disinfectants cannot kill it, chlorine bleach is quite effective. There may be other means of transmission of CPV, but they are not known at this time.


Two forms of CPV have been identified: diarrhea syndrome and cardiac syndrome.


Diarrhea syndrome, or enteritis, has an incubation period of five to fourteen days. Dogs with enteritis act like they are in extreme pain. Early symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, high fever, and severe diarrhea. Feces can be either grayish or fluid and bloody. Rapid dehydration is a danger, and dogs may continue to vomit and have diarrhea until they die, usually three days after onset of symptoms. Others may recover without complications and have no long-term problems. Puppies can die suddenly of shock as early as two days into the illness.


The second form of CPV is cardiac syndrome, or myocarditis, which can affect puppies under three months old. There is no diarrhea because the virus multiplies rapidly in muscle cells of the immature heart. Puppies may stop suckling and then collapse and die within minutes or days. No effective treatment is available for cardiac syndrome, and surviving puppies may have permanently damaged hearts.


The initial diagnosis of CPV can usually be made by a veterinarian after observing the dog’s symptoms; however, vomiting and diarrhea can be caused by a number of diseases. The rapid spread of illness in a group of dogs is another indication that CPV may be the culprit. A more definitive diagnosis of CPV can be made by testing feces for the virus, either at the veterinarian's office or through an outside laboratory.


Treatment for CPV should be started immediately. Hospitalization is necessary, except in relatively mild cases. Dogs must be kept warm. Dehydration is treated by replacing electrolytes and fluids and controlling vomiting and diarrhea. Antibiotics are used to prevent secondary infections. No drug is yet available that will kill the virus.


The easiest way to prevent CPV in adult dogs has been through annual vaccinations, although increasingly, veterinarians are recommending that vaccinations be administered every three years. Puppies need a series of booster shots, because of uncertainty about when maternal immunity wanes and the time the vaccine can provide puppies with their own immunity. This may be as early as six weeks of age or as late as fourteen weeks of age. If there is still a high level of maternal antibody present in the puppy, it will interfere with a vaccination. Veterinarians recommend that puppies get boosters every three weeks until they are sixteen weeks old, and they should be kept separate from unvaccinated dogs. Vaccinations given to puppies as well as adults also protect against other serious canine diseases like distemper, infectious hepatitis, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, and coronavirus.


Parvo vaccinations are usually required for participation in puppy obedience classes and for boarding your dog at kennels. A vaccination does not guarantee that your puppy will be safe from the virus, but it's good protective insurance.

A parvo-infected dog can shed the virus in his feces, which makes him extremely contagious to other dogs. The following precautions will help prevent the spread of this disease.


· Keep the dog isolated from all other dogs for at least a month after recovery.

· Pick up all the dog's stools in your yard.

· Use chlorine bleach and water to clean food and water bowls. Wash the dog's bedding in bleach and hot water. Disinfect all areas that the dog has been in, including linoleum floors, crates, etc.

· If you have any other dogs who are two years old or younger, or who have not had parvo vaccinations, take them to your veterinarian immediately for a booster shot.

· Feed your dog a bland diet until he recovers. Reintroduce regular food slowly.


A healthy puppy or adult dog should never be allowed contact with the feces of other dogs when walking or playing in public. Dispose of waste material properly and try to keep lawns, sidewalks, and street gutters clear of feces from neighborhood dogs.

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