We Have Sick Puppies

Days 2-4:

The 2:00 a.m. feeding began as they all do, twelve hungry bellies, a very good momma ready to take care of her babies and the Mount Vernon crew standing by to supervise and supplement with bottle feeding. All the puppies ate like champs except for one little girl; she was very lethargic and had no interest in the bottle. There were small traces of blood noted in the stool of a few puppies, everything was charted for the 6:00 a.m. crew and our lethargic girl continued to show signs of anorexia. She was tube fed and wrapped in flannel for extra warmth. Fifteen minutes after her 10:00 a.m. feeding she passed over the rainbow bridge.

By mid afternoon we have another lethargic girl. Amanda drives in for the day to evaluate the situation, puppy #2 has an almost non-existant blood glucose and a very low body temp. Amanda places a jugular catheter to administer fluids, dextrose, and a fresh plasma transfusion from her own bullmastiff, Charlie. She is also placed in the incubator. A feeding tube was placed to allow for feedings directly into the stomach. When this was placed a large amount of bloody reflux was removed. Four hours later we lose her. Based on fecal exams and necropsy on both the deceased puppies, Dr. Reppart and Amanda are confident that we are dealing with a salmonella outbreak. The entire litter is placed on antibiotics. Considering Momma's unfortunate past and lack of prenatal or any other veterinary care, it is not surprising that we are facing this battle. Poor Momma is also heartworm positive.

At the 6:00 p.m. feeding our first boy starts to show signs of decline. A jugular catheter, fluids, plasma, and antibiotics are also administered to this boy. By 2:00 a.m. he is crossing the bridge to join his sisters. It is the end of day four and we have another little boy we are concerned about. They have had 5 doses of the antibiotic, hopefully it is enough to help him make it through the night.