Canine (General)

[Guest]

10 days ago my children's father adopted a puppy from an animal shelter as a gift. By Monday she was sick with explosive yellow liquid diarrhea. I took her to the vet who said she looked healthy and assured me that she did not have parvo because she looked fine and had an appetite.

The dr. gave her de-wormer, first vaccinations, and albon once per day and immodium q8hrs. The diarrhea went from yellow water to a pudding texture of a more normal color. Saturday she did not want to eat. Saturday night she ate soft food so I thought maybe she just wouldn't eat her normal food. Sunday she would not eat anything but was still drinking. She vomitted once during the night.

Today, monday, I took her to the vet again. Her temp was normal. They did an xray to rule out an obstruction. When that was clear they did a parvo test which was returned with a "very strong positive". I could not afford to leave her for continuous IV fluids, especially when they said the chances are so small anyway, so they gave sub-cutaneous fluids and sent her home with an antibiotic (bid) and instructions to keep her hydrated with pedialyte given by syringe if necessary.

My main questions: Knowing that she came from a shelter, should they not have given here a parvo test on the first visit? I thought they did and didn't realize it until today. The reason they didn't do it was because "she looked healthy". Second, should a puppy with diarrhea be vaccinated? It is my understanding after reading today that vaccinations shouldn't be given when sick.

Thanks