My friend's dog is sick - advice?

Question

Yesterday I went to my friend's house, and her dog seems very sick. He has an ear infection I think and maybe something else. His eyes are gunked up and he won't drink water. I'm so upset because she says she can't afford to take him to the vet. We went to Walmart and got alcohol and ear ache drops and cleaned his ears good. The stuff that came out was brown and very stinky. She said it's better because it was green over the weekend. We washed his eyes off with warm water and she put some eye drops in them. We gave him a baby aspirin (my mom's dog took those, so I know he could have one). The dog looks better but still won't drink water. He ate 2 scrambled eggs, but won't drink. She said he had a rabies shot, so that's not it. A horse near them died with west nile virus, and I don't know if that could be it.

I feel so bad for her dog, but I don't know what else to do. Her husband drinks a lot and I think they shouldn't have the dog if they can't take him to the vet, but what can I do? They have a little girl and she's not going to leave him. She's been my best friend since we were kids, or else I would call and report this. If I did, though, she would know it was me because they live in the country and no one else has seen her dog. So please don't tell me to call someone about it, she's my best friend and a good person, just in a bad situation.

Can you think of anything else we could do for the dog? Do you know what it might be? I can't afford to pay for the vet, not even if she paid me back.

The dog looks like a lab mix with hair a little longer, it weights about a hundred pounds, and it's positive for heartworms which they can't pay to treat either, at least not yet.

Please don't be rude! If you can't think of something, just don't answer.

Answer 1

It's very simple.  This dog needs the vet.  If they can't or won't take him to the vet, he needs to be surrendered to a shelter today so he can get the vet care he needs rather than watching him die slowly day by day.  That's called animal cruelty.

Answer 2

Well, there's no good answer here.  Everyone else is correct, the dog needs to be seen by a vet.  I googled the symptoms, and it definitely sounds like an ear infection, probably in combination with something more serious, such as infectious canine hepatitis, even distemper, but that would be for a vet to discern.  Cleaning the ears and giving a baby aspirin probably made the dog feel better, but probably won't do much else.  If she won't or can't either have it seen, or surrender it to a shelter, and if you're not willing to report her, your hands seems to be tied.  No one should own a pet that can't afford basic health care -- it's as essential as food, water, and shelter.  You sound like you already know that, though, and telling her she shouldn't own a pet isn't going to help the current situation.

You said you cried all the way home, and it would upset me terribly as well.  I think abandoning her as a friend, especially since you've been friends since childhood, may be a bit extreme.  You shouldn't let it continue to upset you, however, if there's nothing more you can do.

Why not call her and just say that you can't visit with her while the dog is sick?  Explain that you still want to be her friend, but just can't watch the dog suffer.  Tell her it hurts you too much.  If she is indeed a good person, she'll understand.  It may even prompt her to act and get some help for the dog.  That's about the best advice I can think of.

Good luck, sound like you'll need it...

Answer 3

VET NOW -- PLEASE!

Most vets will work with payment plans to help sick animals. If not, this dog needs to be surrendered. Is she aware that by not treating heart worms, not only is she endangering HER dog, but her dog infects others? I'm sorry, this person should NOT be a pet owner until her personal life is straightened out.

Answer 4

I agree, the dog needs to be surrendered to the humane society or a rescue group.  He is going to die from the heartworms and the infections he has.  It is time for them to not be selfish and get rid of the dog.  You should not own it if you can't take care of it.  This would be considered criminal abuse.

Answer 5

Well how did they test it for heart worms with out taking him to the vet? The only thing they can do for the dog is take him to the vet. maybe she can ask her parents for a little help with the money situation. Maybe check some sites out on line or maybe go to a pet store and ask them what to do and maybe get a few magazines that may be able to help you.

Hope your friends dog gets better. Let us know please!!!

Answer 6

You need to convince your friend that the dog needs to see the vet.  Antibiotics is the only thing that will clear up the infections.  If an ear infection goes untreated, it can cause deafness and untreated eye infections can cause blindness.  The infections that the dog is having along with being positive for heartworms is compromising the dogs immune system and is susceptible to getting other infections or can even die.  The longer she waits - the worse off the dog is going to be and the more expensive it will be for treatment.

If she can't afford treatment for the dog, convince her to give it up so it can get the proper vet care.

ADD:

Many vets will allow payments.  She just needs to work out payment arrangements with the vet.  There is also something called Care Credit.  She can apply over the phone and know if she is approved within 5 minutes.

http://www.carecredit.com/

You may have no other choice but to report it to the ASPCA.  You should be able to remain anonymous, but you can't let the dog continue to suffer.  It will just be a slow and miserable death for the dog.

Answer 7

The dog needs a vet.  Period.

Why are you friends with someone who would treat an animal like this?  It's cruel to let it suffer.

Answer 8

The eye and ear infections are bad enough, but being heartworm positive is sure to kill him if untreated.  Call humane societies and spca in your area, ask if they have or know of low-cost veterinary clinics.    If not, suggest they surrender the dog to a shelter where he might have the chance of being treated. Good luck.