Help! I don't know what to do. (update 3/9)

[Missi]

Lizzie is a 13 week old goldendoodle. Because I work nights and 12 hour shifts, I set up a large, secure pen in the basement for Lizzie to stay in on the night's I'm gone. Yesterday, she had little appetite, which I attributed to the stress of a new home. (I've had her since saturday) I put her in her pen with some puppy toys, food, water, and lots of newspaper; she was fine. I just got home this morning, and something's wrong. She has water for stools, is very lethargic, and vomitted what looks like saliva 3 times.
As most of you know, she has been battling severe anemia for the last month, but it was resolved, and she never vomitted with that.




I took her to the vet immediately. I'm crying. Vet thinks it's Parvo. She's in the ICU on IV fluids and antibiotics. Parvo test came back negative, but because it's an antibody test, early tests are often negative.

I need a hug



***3/6***

Sorry for keeping everybody in in the dark, but Lizzie is doing well and is HOME!! I picked her up at 8:30 this morning. They did end up having to re-start her IV fluids yesterday, but took them off this morning. (Well she kept dumping her water bowl and not drinking, because they hadn't put any toys in the kennel with her!)
We are now on a mixture of I/d A/d food with some of her dry kibble. I know it's not the best food for her, but it seems to be working and she has eaten all three meals today. She hasn't wanted to leave my side all day, so I am a bit sleep deprived (I worked last night). She had 2 soft stools today, but no diarrhea.
Overall, the vets question whether or not it really was Parvo, because she did make such a fast recovery. So I've been pretty worried if it wasn't parvo, then what was it? She obviously had some kind of bacteria and/or viral gastroenteritis since she spiked a fever up to 105. But the antibiotics are definitely helping.

She's snoozing at my feet while I type this and says a HUGE puppy thank you to everyone for their help and support. You guys rock!!!!!!!



****update 3/9****

I have had the last 4 days off of work and Lizzie and I have had some serious bonding time! She's my little buddy. She has been doing very well. I started to introduce the new Royal Canin puppy chow yesterday mixed in with the soft diet from the vet (less than 1/4 cup per meal). She was pretty tired yesterday and woke up this morning at 4am with vomiting and diarrhea! So we're back on JUST the soft diet (science diet I/D and A/D mixed). I've been feeding her multiple small meals today and she has licked the bowl clean on ALL of them. She's also been really energetic and happy after about 9am; no more vomiting or diarrhea. So given this, I'm starting to think she's having a bad reaction to the kibble. Have any of your dogs had a reaction this bad to food before? So we're on a search for a good chicken and rice based puppy kibble. Open to suggestions!
She peed on my uncle and aunt's carpet like 5 times tonight, so housetraining isn't going quite as well as I had thought. But, she won't poop in the house; she dances by the back door! So that's a plus.
Anyway, that's my update. I should probably start publishing this in blogs, so look for those in the upcoming week!

Thanks again everybody!

[Tamara & Giada]

Yes, go to the vet! Hope she gets better........poor baby :)

[Brenda Hetzel]

Yes,definitely go to the vet. I'm so sorry to hear both of you have to go through this again. But its better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully it is nothing serious. Let us know.

[Margot]

Lizzie: I hope you are on the way to the Vet! Maybe you are gulping all of your water when your Mom is at work??? I see from your profile that you have family nearby; do you think they could/would check in on you when your Mom is working?

Margot (Jennings' Mom!)

[Leslie and Halas]

I'd call the vet and take Lizzie in.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So sorry to hear this; Jackdoodle & I are sending you & Lizzie a big hug and a big sloppy doodle kiss. I hope Lizzie will be fine, and soon!

[Louise and Toby]

Oh, no!! I'm SO sorry to hear of your sick doodle girl. I will be prayiing for a quick recovery from whatever it is. Please keep us updated.

[Missi]

Okay, the tears have slowed down, I can type a little bit more information.

About 2 minutes after I posted this, I called the vet. Come on, a change that serious and fast, I don't know why it took me those two minutes. After explaining this to them, they had me rush over there (I sped like a demon) and put me in an isolated exam room (did not even touch the waiting room) so they obviously suspected Parvo just by my description. She had stopped vomitting, but was obviously lethargic. Temp > 103, CBC was good WBC count 14, which is usually lowered by parvo, Hgb 9.6, HCT 30. So we do the Parvo quickstick test, which did come back negative. But, like I said, this test is often a false negative in early infection. And the vet said "looks, acts, smells like parvo." So it wasn't worth the risk of not treating her, and even if it's not parvo, she is still obviously sick.
So she was admitted to the isolation ICU, where the staff have to gown up and go through foot baths just to enter the room (reminds me of the ebola videos!). They will start IV fluids and antibiotics immediately and re-test for Parvo on Friday. I'm allowed to visit through the window. Right now we struggle with the fact that at 13 weeks old, she doesn't have much of an immune system to fight the virus. But we have time on our side that we caught it fast.
If it's not parvo, I don't know what else it would be. I watch her like a hawk and am pretty sure she didn't get into anything toxic, though I know she's a puppy and they're devious.
On a positive note, my tax return gets deposited today according to the IRS, so that I have some money to fund this adventure. At least I can make sure she gets the best care (and this hospital is the best). So much for my IRS shopping spree. Not that it would matter if I wasn't shopping for Lizzie.

Thank you to everyone for your support (again!) it's an amazing help to get through. I will definitely keep updates as I know.

[Ellen aka BeauBeau's Mom]

obviously you want to wait until this crisis is over, and I hope it's soon for both yours and Lizzie's sake....however, why not consider getting the VPI pet insurance....I got it because this way, I never have to worry about making a decision I don't want to because of money, for my sweet boy's care. Our thoughts and prayers are with you!

[Debbie and Thomas]

If it is parvo, you must have caught it early enough. I know a couple and their dog had parvo at 10 weeks old, after treatment, she recovered and is now 10 months old and attends our obedience classes. She is a Shitzu so is a very small breed. Apparently the virus came from the breeder because most of her siblings got Parvo too. Fight Lizzy, fight!! I am saying a prayer right now for your dear little puppy. I feel for you too-so much... Hang in there.

[Missi]

So she recovered while having it at 10 weeks? That's hopeful, as my biggest scare with Lizzie is how young she is. I haven't heard of any other puppies surviving with it this young, so thank you!! Her fever peaked at above 105 today, but is down to 104.7. The vet is reserved, but hopeful. Does anyone else know of puppies that survived with parvo this young?

[Joy Originator of GiantSchnoodles]

Hi Missi, Talk to Jodi at www.thedoodlezoo.com She's been there in a big way & can probably give you some good advice & benifit of her experience. If she's not watching the zoo, someone at the zoo can give you her email. PUppy love from Joy & furry folk

[Adina P]

Jodi is a member here too...You can search for her via the Members page. But I don't think she has ever posted, busy lady!