Expert: Penny DiLoreto - 3/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: hi. i have a 7 week old boston terrier puppy. i have had him for about a week. i bought him here in china. i took him to the vet they said he was healthy when i got him.  he was eating food and acting normal. Yesterday he stopped eating. finally today i got him to drink some water. he is all of a sudden having diahrrea and wants to sleep all of the time. they said to bring him back for his shots at 8 weeks. There they are not very helpful with pets... i don't know what is wrong or what to do :(

ANSWER: Hi Raychel,  I'm so sorry to read that your puppy is sick.  Most common health issues in puppies have a 2 - 14 day incubation period. The means that your puppy could have been infected with something when you purchased him/her, but the symptoms are just now showing up.  

Diarrhea, lack or energy, and sometimes vomiting, can be symptoms of a number of things some of which include; Giardia, Coccidia, or other internal parasites.

If your vet did not take a stool sample and test for these parasites, when he/she first examined your puppy, I suggest that you contact your vet again and make an appointment to have your puppy tested.  It will be best if you can take a fresh sample of poop with you (less than a couple of hours old).  

Using the sample you provide, your veterinary staff will be able to do either a Fecal Float Test, or a SNAP test (I personally prefer the SNAP Test - less room or error).

Both these tests are complete within 10 - 15 minutes and you should wait for the results.  If your puppy tests positive for internal parasites, there are a number of medications on the market, your vet will prescribe the one he likes best.

You might also ask your vet to prescribe something for the diarrhea, to insure your puppy doesn't become dehydrated.

Good luck, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.  Sincerely, Penny D.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Penny,
I took the puppy to the vet this morning. He took his tempature and said it was only 35 and that since it was not 40 he could not give him medicine. Another docotor looked at him and said he is very sick. that he had an infectious diseace called Canine distemper. they said his noise being dry is a sympotm of this.. they did not want to give him any medicine but told me to keep him warm that there is no cure. finally they gave me two medicines to help settle his stomach and keep him comfortable. what shoudl i do?

ANSWER: Did your vet perform a blood test on your puppy?  A blood test can help to rule out other possible diseases that have symptoms resembling distemper.  If a blood test was not preformed, I suggest that you call your vet's office and request one.  Also, ask your vet to give your puppy something for the diarrhea.  

Respiratory symptoms (e.g., cough and labored breathing) can be caused by bacterial pneumonia. Intestinal symptoms (e.g., vomiting and diarrhea) could be caused by gastroenteritis (an inflammatory bowel disease).  Before assuming your puppy has distemper, tests should be ran to rule out other possibilities.  

A temperature of 35 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) is very low.  The normal temperature of a dog is between 214.7 – 216.5 Celsius (101.5 – 102.5 Fahrenheit). One of the symptoms of Canine Distemper is a high fever, not a low fever.

As your vet told you, there is no cure for distemper. 50% of dogs that contract distemper will die. Many dogs that survive distemper suffer permanent damage, such as; seizures, paralysis, eye problems, and dry cracked paw pads. Other symptoms of distemper is seizures. One type of seizure that affects the head, and is unique to distemper, is sometimes referred to as a "chewing gum fit" because the dog appears to be chewing gum.

Most dogs that survive distemper usually develop immunity, but they can be contagious for other dogs for up to three months afterward.  Seizures that can affect any part of the body (One type of seizure that affects the head, and is unique to distemper, is sometimes referred to as a "chewing gum fit" because the dog appears to be chewing gum.)

In the mean time keep your puppy warm and watch for dehydration.  One way to tell if your puppy is becoming dehydrated is to pinch the skin on the back of the neck.  If it snaps back in place quickly he is not dehydrated.  The slower it returns the more dehydrated he is.  If he becomes dehydrated your vet may suggest an IV of Lactated Ringers.

I'm so sorry that you and your puppy is going through this touch time.  You might want to contact the person you purchased your puppy from and ask them if any of his littermates or if either of his parents are sick.  Also ask them if your puppy received any vaccinations for distemper.  

Please keep me posted to your progress, and please do not hesitate to contact me if you have additional questions.  Sincerely, Penny D.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hello. This evening i took him to another vet. The problem with vets it that i live in china, the medical care is not the same as it is in the US.  They did a blood test at this vet they said he does have distemper. the said the medicines at the other vet would not help at all. They began in on a drip and gave him shots. They said they will give him 5 days of treatments.  they let me bring him home. he is crying in pain and whimpers in his sleep. they said his temperature is still low to keep him warm. i do not know if he will make it or if i should have them put him down so he does not suffer..

Answer
Hi Raychel,  I'm so sorry to read the news that your puppy has distemper.  This is a very tough time for both you and your puppy, and my heart go out to both of you.

As I wrote earlier, about 50% of the dogs that have distemper survive.  However, those who do survive may suffer with medical issues such as; seizures, paralysis, eye problems, and dry cracked paw pads. These medical conditions, depending upon the severity,  can be ongoing and costly.

My dear Raychel, I can't advise you on weather to put him down or not, however I feel confident that you will make the right decision, whatever that decision is.

If I can help you with any additional questions, please remember that I am just a couple of computer keystrokes away.  Sincerely, Penny D. & God Bless.