My dog is sick

Question
I have a 10 yr old Rottweiller/German Shepard mix.  She has had diarea or soft stool for about 3 weeks and she has started to have a smelly bottom.  I have given her Pepto Bismol and for the last 3 days have given her boiled rice & chicken (it seems to have helped some), but her stomach is sort of swollen.  She doesn't have the pep that she used to.  She used to jump for her food but now she just lays there like she doesn't care anymore. I read someplace that it could be something anal.  She sometimes has a dry cough and would scoot her but up a little.  It seems like she's gotten heavy in that area.  She did throw up a few times a week ago. It seems like when she pees it is sort of brown in color now.   I lost my job 6 mos ago and can't affored to take her to the vet and am at my wits end.  Do you have any suggestions?

Answer

Hi Dee,

Having tried to treat your dog's diarrhea on your own with a bland diet over the past 3 weeks, but haven't seen much in the way of results, it's time to have your dog examined by a veterinarian.
The dark urine is a concern. It can mean your dog is severely dehydrated and her urine is concentrated, or it can be a sign of kidney disease.

Given the symptoms you've mentioned, your dog may well have a case of intestinal parasites, which can't be cured with the bland diet you've tried, or she may have some other medical condition. Nobody on line can diagnose your dog for you.

I realize you've said you can't afford a vet visit, but there are times when there isn't substitute for professional medical care. If you are having trouble afford veterinary care, first talk to your regular vet. Ask your veterinarian if he or she will let you work out a payment plan. Many veterinarians are willing to work out a weekly or monthly payment plan so that you do not have to pay the entire cost of veterinary care up front. If you don't have a regular vet, try call all the vets in your community, some might be cheaper than others. Ask friends and family to lend you the money necessary for the office visit, you may be able to get an advance on your salary if you explain the situation to your employer.

Another option is to contact your local shelter or Humane Society. Some shelters operate or know of local subsidized veterinary clinics or veterinary assistance programs. If you happen to live within driving distance to veterinary school, check with them to see if they offer discount services to the public. There are two special credit cards to apply for which help with medical bills (including veterinary bills) read about them here:

http://www.carecredit.com
http://www.healthcard.citicards.com

There are broad spectrum dog wormers you can buy at pet stores, but these aren't always effective on all kinds of intestinal parasites, as the prescription medications you'd get from a vet would be. You might try an over the counter wormer but not see improvement, it doesn't mean your dog doesn't have worms, or it can mean your dog has another medical condition. Either way, at that point you really would have exhausted all your home treatment options. Your dog would really need the vet exam. Brands of over-the-counter wormers include:

SafeGuard Dog Dewormer
Panacur C Canine Dewormer
D-Worm Combo
Nemex-2
Pro-Wormer 2
WormXPlus

Many dewormers do not kill the worms immediately. Instead, the wormers cause them to become paralyzed. They eventually exit the body through the feces because they are unable to remain attached to the intestinal walls. Keep your yard clean of dog feces to prevent repeated infestations. You'd need to repeat the wormer treatment as per the directions on the package (usually in about two weeks after the first wormer treatment). The first treatment only kills the adult worms, new worms will hatch that also need treatment.

If you try an over the counter wormer and do not see improvement in 48 hours, it's important to contact a vet. Your dog's dark urine, distended belly, and lack of appetite are serious symptoms which really do require a doctor's care.

Best of luck,
Patti