Expert: Susan Downes - 7/13/2007

Question
I HAVE A 7YEAR OLD CHIHUAHUA THAT HAS STOPED EATING AND WHAT EVER LITTLE SHE DRINKS SHE THROWS RIGHT BACK UP.
I JUST TOOK SPARKY OUT OF THE VET ON WENDSDAY FOR A KIDNEY DEASES AND TO BE REALLY HONEST I DONT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO TAKE SUGAR TO THE VET. CAN YOU PLEASE GIVE ME YOUR OPINION OF WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON, AND WHAT YOU THINK I SHOULD DO BEFORE I MAKE ANOTHER TRIP TO THE VET?


Answer
How long has Sugar been without food or drink? Small dogs crash very quickly! Try getting some gatorade, propel or Enfamil (some type of electrolytes) into her. Also get some canine nutrition supplement that comes in a tube and try to get her to lick at it. Entice her with a warm meal of lamb and rice, or chicken and rice. You may have to pour a Tablespoon of Pepto Bismol type product into her first, to keep her from throwing up. The vet has some better medications for vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea, so maybe your vet can call the prescriptions in or you could pick them up at the office.  Can you recall her getting into anything poisonous, such as a plant, potpourri, cleaning product or anything in the last few weeks?  Has she eaten grass or any bones that may have caused her problems? You can lose a Chihuahua very, very fast, so I would recommend that you at least call the vet and explain your situation. Your vet may be able to give you a discount, payment plan, or send you to a local veterinary collage which can treat her at a discounted rate. Please leave me some feedback, nominations if you wish, and keep me posted. The only way we can tell we are doing a good job as volunteers is by your feedback or reposting us. It is much easier to see results in our classes or at our facility. So let me know how it goes with Sugar. I am very concerned about her, but feel that this really is a veterinary emergency. Keep me posted on her progress. Thank you for writing. Regards, Susan