Pet Skin Repair News

My husband and I were looking to adopt a pet that just needed a good home. We were looking for a puppy that would not be much more than a lap dog. We prepared by buying the things that a new puppy would need. Food, leash, toys, treats, dishes, everything. We even pre bought the vaccines ahead of time, and my aunt who is a dog rescuer would administer them for us. We did not plan on actually adopting for at least another two weeks, when were going to draw on some investments to put away for the possibility of vet care down the road. I have not owned any animals since I was living with my parents. I thought we prepared accordingly.

We went to see a puppy that was in an add on the an Internet sight. The add said the puppy was for nephew but did not work out, and the people had big dogs and were afraid that they would hurt the pup. It also said dog is in need of shot now? (Why they did not get them I do not know). When the dog was brought out to us it was skin and bones. (all I thought was I need to get this dog out of here) It was still wet from its bath, and shivering. They did not tell us their name, and the puppy had no name. The puppy had no personal items such as a leash, collar, name, food, bowls, nothing!!! They handed him over and my husband and I looked at each other and the feeling was mutual. We assumed people would want to make sure the puppy was going to the good home they described in the add. My husband spotted dewormer meds on the counter. We have 3 small children, and sure enough after the dog ravenously ate, choked, and regurgitated his food his stool was covered in worm evidence. We were unaware of the worms until we looked all the info up, and found the descriptions of all the types of worms. The dogs doo has a grainy like white substance all through it, just loads and loads. He eats as if he is absolutely starving then has 2 bowel movements right after full whatever that is. I do not see movement nor have I seen any full worms. I do not know what to look for though either. His coat and skin is really dry and is just flaking off. His coat is really, really dull and ragged. Gums are very pale. He just began to wag his tale, and he rarely plays at all. He does not wine, bark, yelp, nothing! His hind legs are not working very well, and I do not think that he can see properly. I do not know what type of wormer was used because all that was on my mind was get this little guy out of here. I called the humaine society and reported the incident because we heard two more dogs barking. I did not see the condition of those dogs but was scared for them. We cannot withdraw money for about another week and a half. And at that we only were putting away about 500 and 50 each week following. Maybe I was not really understanding the cost in caring for a puppy, but I thought that to be plenty. I dont even know if this puppy will make it to next week. I think the apl would just put it to sleep, but I am not sure. I want to care for the dog, but do not even know where to begin with almost nothing until next week. My aunt said that even giving this poor guy shots right now might do more harm than good because his immune system is so bad. I feel horrible, and I was totally unprepared for this. I do not care if I have to pay every week for the rest of my life if I know he’ll make it. From what I have found in talking to others is vets want the money up front if you do not have an established relationship. I had to save it but did it do any good at all? I have been up all night trying to concoct a solution, any help would be greatly appreciated. I also know that a person should be prepared for the responsibility of any life, and I thought I had my t’s crossed and my i’s dotted. Nothing could have prepared me for this, and I know all about responsibility because I have 3 children. What are the options?

Thanks for all the help so far. I am going to call around during normal business hours and explain the story and see if what money I do have will get him proper care. It is true that if I cannot afford him to get him the care he needs as long as nobody hurts him. I never knew this could be this hard. I did do the right thing by taking him atleast for the moment. I hope.
Thanks again to everyone giving me a crash course in puppy 101. I did report the incident to the humane society, gave the address, and took pictures of the puppy just incase. To the person who said that I was less than smart for purchasing the puppy, it was free. Even if it weren’t I would have dog naped it or found a way to get it out. If you can see an animal in this condition and turn your back on it, you really should not be a pet owner. That is my opinion. People make choices in life, if I had left the puppy how would I know that it would still be okay. This way I know he is good for now.

Call your local ASPCA and City Animal control or whatever might be comparable where you live and ask them if they have a low cost clinic. Some spay and neuter clinics do, too. It will still cost, but won’t be nearly so much. Another possibility is to call some Vet clinics and explain that you have rescued a dog from poor conditions but don’t have a lot of money to start treatment at this time, can they help you by waiving office fee because you need de-worming medicine, first shots and the puppy is very skinny and somewhat weak.
You might call 20 Vets and 19 of them say NO. One might agree especially since it is a rescue.
You could also walk in to a few clinics and ask because it is harder to say no when you walk in there.
There can be a huge cost difference between clinics. There is a clinic I know that is in a ritzy area of town and had inexperienced Vets. Their prices are sky high. For the same Vet needs, there are clinics in poor areas of town that treat the same conditions for far, far less but they have seasoned, great Vets! So shop around.
Tell the Vet that the dog has the white grainy looking stuff in the stool since this sounds like tapeworm and they might not give you medicine for these (not the same as other worming medicine) if you don’t.
Especially if they are giving meds because of obvious worms but without doing fecal exam.
If the pup has fleas, the Vet can give you something for that and tell you what to do to keep up on flea prevention as well as heartworm prevention. Heartworms are treated with another medication and some topical flea preventions keep heartworm at bay as well.
Good luck with your pup. I can say that with three throw-aways that we got as pups, it was so rewarding to see their health turn around and they so appreciate it! They are the best dogs ever.

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