Not a Deerhound related question, but I thought I would ask all the same as there are so many wonderful doggy people out there with great views.

Frinds of mine bought a Yorkie pup last week, after 2 days she started having horrendous diaorreahn (sp). It lasted longer than xpected so they called the vets, who told them to take her to their nearest vet as they were closed!

They took her to a Medivet, who said "Yes we can see her, it will be £600+ for her to come and be here 3 days"???? alarm bells ringing here already for me.

Anyhow, she has been there for her 2nd day now and they ent to see hr, see what the progress was etc and the first thing the vet said was it was now £713. The puppy is well in herself and playful etc, but still has loose pooh's. Still not sure what it is.

What do others think, what would they do. I do not know who they bought it off of,a reputable breeder etc.

I know when Murphy had a bad bug when he was a year old, they gave him anti sickness jab, anti biotic jab and doggy diaoralyte and it cost me £60. This puppy is about 8 weeks old.

Forgot to add the worst bit. When the vet see their faces when he said £713, he said "well, if it is too much e can always put her to sleep, it's cheaper" Can you believe an animal person has said this?

This sounds horrendous! Apart from the puppies welfare, if it had KC paper work there should be 6 weeks insurance included to cover costs.
The breeder needs to be informed re illness and advise re insurance.

I asked then re the insurance but am taking it the puppy hasn't got papers and to be honest, (I'm not a Yorkie expert) but she looks very much like a Border Terrier x Yorkie to me as her face is a bit like my BT. Probably lessons will be learnt here. Thanks for replying.

My other thoughts then are;
How did Medivet diagnose a three day stay prior to consultation?
Does anyone know if there is an Ombusman that oversees the Veterinary profession?
What is their diagnosis,what treatment being given?
In my view usually with these symptoms they are kept in if on a drip or for a 24hr period to see how they respond to treatment depending on their condition.All sounds a bit strange to me and as for euthinasia being a cheaper option I would definately be reporting this to higher bodies.
Sorry but this has rattled my cage so to speak!!

Good, we want cages rattled!

These questions are all what I have asked too? Money money momey me thinks!

Money yes but there is a code of ethics too.
You know I am so lucky to have a brilliant vet and I feel sorry for the likes of him when I hear stories like this.
Maybe some other users of the forum will have some advice.
Just to add I keep "Slippery Elm" in stock for the "runs" natural remedy and works!

Puppy farm puppy and parvo, perhaps? Poor little scrap and poor new owners too. It's a hard way to learn that you should have bought from a reputable breeder in the first place. Keep us posted on progress, yes?

I think i would be questioning that bill, i would ask for a full run down on
what was spent on what, if they refuse (which they cant) i would take it further.
when we rushed our bonnie to petmedics - although there expencive,
it only cost me 900 and odd, she spent 3 days in there, she had a full emergency spay,
blood tests, the list is endless on what she had done, the pancratic test, that should have coat over £100, they did for free, i was expecting the bill to be well over a grand,
and was quite suprised, i was given a recipt with everything on it they had done, and what price it was, so i knew they had done what they said they was going to do.

Just to add - i would take it to the vet board as well.

You're describing exactly what we went through with our yorkie pup Rocky. I took him to the vets. He was given an anti sickness jab, a shot of antibiotics and a flea treatment. In no time he was fine.

Has your friend accidently over fed the pup as that is what I had done, being used to feeding big dogs. He was hungry and I let him eat too much. They only need tiny amounts but they will eat a lot given the opportunity. They should have a couple of teaspoons a few times over the course of the day when they are so small. After overeating massively that first meal Rocky stopped eating and had all of those symptoms. Even so, if your friend has been giving the pup more than a couple of teaspoons for each meal this would cause those symtoms. It was the first thing the vet asked me as apparenly it is quite common.

With Rocky I also think he was missing his mum. I was lucky to get a "professional" vet to look at him. Charge £24.

I hope your friends sort this out. Once their pup feels better they are in for a real treat. I have been blown away by Rocky. He is such a lovely character. He's a real family dog and our deeries adore him. I can recommend the breed to anyone wanting to add a terrier to their pack.

Gosh! I know emergency vets are expensice but that seems well over the top and I would probably go to either an ombudsman or to the veterinary board. There shoyld be some kind of regulation on these things.

I,m just wondering maybe this is why "Medivet" are doing cheaper vaccinations as per the thread on "credit crunching" vet bills.
Overcharge on emergencies and cheaper on routine buisness!!!
I for one would avoid them. I,ve never been completely free of vet bills but by the same token never begrudged paying as Ive always researched the local vets and made my choice and been satisfied often more than satisfied with the care and attention my menagerie has received.

Yes, I think you are right Tawnochikno and opps. that was me that posted about cheaper vaccinations! Who said that?

All your inputs have been great and I have passed them onto my friends, especially the slippery elm.

I'll let you know the outcome as soon as I hear, thank again

Where can you buy slippery elm? Also how much would you administer?

Re; Slippery Elm.
It,s available at any health store and I,ve got capsule form of it. i believe the dose for humans is two capsules and I halve it for the dogs, as its a natural herbal remedy it wont overdose.
If you want further info have a look at "Natural Healthcare for Pets" web site by Richard Allport B.Vet. Med, Vet.M.F.Hom, M.R.C.V.S the remedy is for sale on his site as well as many others.
He also does telephone coonsultations if required and is a "Hero" of mine!
You can also get his book for reference called same as web site this includes ailments and natural remedies it,s my bible!!

Meant to add the book covers all therapies including; homeopathy, herbal, crystals and flower remedies. Rawnie my pup ate my last book!! Not as a remedy!!!!!
I managed to get a second hand one from Amazon well worth having but PLEASE if in doubt seek your vets opinion without a lot of knowledge self diagnosis can be detrimental.

Is that the one?

www.play.com/Books/Books/...Richard+Allport

Yes thats the one and look at the price!! I paid more second hand! Rawnie can eat as many as she likes now !!!

It always pays to shop around lol,
have just bought one, so shall have a read when it comes .

This spring my deerhounds took a liking to stagnant pond water with the result that I had three of them in the house with extreme diarrhea My vet put me onto a brilliant product by Purina called FortiFlora. These are individual sachets (30 in a box) containing live active cultures intended to restore intestinal balance. I simply sprinkled one sachet on each dog's dinner and problem solved!

Slippery elm is brill! Holland and Barret sell it. My lot always get a dose if they have upset tums. It is very easily digested and soothes the intestinal track