Update on Bonnie. What the vet didn't find and what we did. Advice needed

BonniesMom · March 05, 2012, 08:35:47 PM

So Mark took the Bon Bon for a walk today and she pooped nice except for one thing. Bonnie pooped WORMS. Fat white ones about 1/2 inch long. Has anyone had dogs with worms? Can I treat with an over the counter wormer or is it another trip to the mean ol' man? I'm rather surprised that my $500 bill didn't include a fecal test. Would you suggest they discount or not charge for this second visit or shall I just take her in and tell them what we found and dole out what they charge? I'm a bit miffed but then maybe in a senior physical with X rays and blood tests, fecal and urine aren't included.

No wonder Bonnie has been lethargic. She's been partying with her worm friends.

papbouv · March 05, 2012, 10:51:38 PM

If BonBon is on Heart worm medications monthly kind it should cover all worms but tape worms but tape worms usually are not short & fat you have to use a different medication to get rid of tapes. If I were you would take Bon Bon back to the vet tell them what you saw I would be unhappy also think I would say you know I just spent $500.00 here would have thought you would have checked my dog for worms since worms are common in dogs. I would try to make the vet feel bad about missing something like that should not charge you but I would not hold my breath since every thing at the vets now days has went sky high.Good Luck The reason I would have the vet give you the medication for worms I would not want to worm a senior dog not knowing for sure what kind of worms the dog has,would hate to give her the wrong medication.Then she might have to be wormed again if you did not get rid of the worms might be too hard on a senior dog.

Spanish Teckels · March 06, 2012, 05:17:07 AM

poor little BonBon. We use Milbemax every 3 months but I would tend to agree with Papbouv that a vet visit would be best to establish what kind of worms and what specific treatment they need to be well and truly killed off without making little BonBon feel worse. I would certainly complain they had not picked up on the infestation too. Good luck!

Barb · March 06, 2012, 09:04:32 AM

saw this on Facebook last night....I would take her immediatly back up to your vet and tell them graphically what happened..... not that you will get free meds - but you SHOULD !!!

Sending tons of rays to Bonnie - to get those nasties out of her !!!

LEt us know what they say !!!

Delia and girls · March 06, 2012, 04:36:24 PM

Poor Bonnie. I agree with the others on taking her back to get checked and mention you just spent all that money and it was missed. Did you take her in because of stomach problems? If so, I would definitely mention that a stool sample should have been done. There are still some nice vets around. I know they are few and far between. I hope your is one of them.

BonniesMom · March 06, 2012, 07:46:34 PM

First....Delia, took her because she had jumped off the bed and landed hard on the new laminate floor. I was concerned about her back and while they did take xrays......thankfully nothing showed up.....they also included a senior exam with bloodwork. That turned out perfect. No problem there.

I DID call the vet today and described the worms or pieces we saw. They tell us it's tapeworm. Said we didn't need to bring her in but just pick up the dewormer. So, if they would have found this the first time, we would have paid for it then. As it is......looking on the bright side......we didn't have to pay for a fecal exam...LOL.

I'll pick up the dewormer tomorrow and we'll start it Thursday morning. That would definitely explain the lethargy and the slight problem she's had in pooping. Hope by getting rid of the party worms in her gut, my Bonnie will be a little bit more bouncy than she has been. Poor wee wot.

papbouv · March 06, 2012, 10:28:15 PM

Tape worms look like little pieces of rice usually stay around the anus and some can look like little pieces of tape. Good Luck

Barb · March 07, 2012, 08:40:30 AM

maybe tapeworms...I agree with Papouv - they are normally not as long as you originally described..... Toby had the tapes when I first got him, and they said it normally clears up with the one big pill they gave me, they hung around for awhile, and the 2nd dose cleared them up.

Now you will be looking very closely at the BonBon's poo.....

LOL - I still do when I pick any of mine up......crazy dog peoples that we are.....

Keep us posted on your girl !

Leslie · March 07, 2012, 12:49:24 PM

Quote from: BonniesMom on March 06, 2012, 07:46:34 PM
I'll pick up the dewormer tomorrow and we'll start it Thursday morning. That would definitely explain the lethargy and the slight problem she's had in pooping. Hope by getting rid of the party worms in her gut, my Bonnie will be a little bit more bouncy than she has been. Poor wee wot.

Have had no experience with worms, but it sounds like this is the answer to several problems. At least that's (about to be) resolved. She may, uh, not be too bouncy for a week though, but Zuzu says: SHE GETS TO EAT ANYTHING SHE WANTS. Big

for Bonnie.

doxielady5569128 · March 07, 2012, 04:29:02 PM

Oh no!! I have no experience with worms, but I would definitely let the vet know I was unhappy they didn't test for that during your $500 visit!! I hope she gets feeling better soon!!

BonniesMom · March 07, 2012, 10:34:42 PM

The dewormer is in the dog. Now waiting for Mr or Mrs Worm or the whole fam dammily to make an appearance. This is sooooo gross.

PM same day report. I don't know if it works that fast but we swear Bonnie tummy isn't as tight as it has been and she, indeed, has been noticeably more bouncy. We just sat through a whole hour and 45 minute movie and NO intermission. Usually she's up and down at least once even during a 1/2 hour show.

Haven't seen any poops yet but tomorrow should tell us something.

Thanks folks for letting me hang it all out here. All the ucky details, too.

papbouv · March 07, 2012, 11:12:18 PM

Us dog people stick together I'm a dog person hubby is not but I had a dog when we got married so should have been a big clue.

Barb · March 08, 2012, 10:08:03 AM

LOL - it is kinda gross, isn't it...but that is how we roll - LOL !!!! Sending rays for Bonnie !!! And now you will be a poop looker every time she poops

Leslie · March 09, 2012, 07:51:54 PM

Quote from: BonniesMom on March 07, 2012, 10:34:42 PM
The dewormer is in the dog. Now waiting for Mr or Mrs Worm or the whole fam dammily to make an appearance. This is sooooo gross.
Haven't seen any poops yet but tomorrow should tell us something.
Thanks folks for letting me hang it all out here. All the ucky details, too.

Well????? :xfinger: for Bonnie and ew. :crazyeyes: LOL. poop looker!! :2funny: I can't laugh AT you, only WITH you. Because I have personally "helped" a dog poop. (Latex gloves are not just for painting and coloring yer hair.) "....that's how we roll."

vferraro99 · March 10, 2012, 08:30:45 AM

Quote from: papbouv on March 06, 2012, 10:28:15 PM
Tape worms look like little pieces of rice usually stay around the anus and some can look like little pieces of tape. Good Luck

Actually tapeworms are long and stringy. They may cut up in pieces while coming out, but they are so long that sometimes they get stuck and the dog "takes them for a walk." Just google tapeworms, you'll see the pictures.

BonniesMom · March 10, 2012, 11:38:09 AM

Bonnie is feeling MUCH better and today her poop looked better. No worms. She gets dosed again in two weeks to kill the eggs, I suspect. Thanks for taking this worm journey with us.

:apls:

Roberta · March 13, 2012, 04:14:28 AM

Thank goodness I am not cooking or had dinner................yes we are a funny lot............our pair get done every so often.
Roberta

doxielady5569128 · March 13, 2012, 08:52:42 AM

Glad to hear Bonnie is doing better. Hopefully she (and you!!) never have to experience this again!!

Kathleen · March 19, 2012, 06:43:48 PM

Just saw this. You can get wormer over the counter at your local pet store. Dogs generally get whipworms, roundworms and one other kind that is escaping me at the moment. Tapeworms are less common in dogs than cats. If you live in an area that dogs get worms in general (this is regional more than a care question), you can worm her monthly on your own and it'll prevent it. Panacur is a good one, and so is Nemex 2.

I never needed wormer in Seattle, but since I've moved to Michigan, I do have to worm the dogs regularly.

papbouv · March 19, 2012, 10:37:28 PM

Dogs usually get tape worms from fleas, If you are giving heart worm meds every month they usually kill all the other worms like whip worms, round worms, & hook worms the only worms usually not killed by the heart worm medications is tape worm. You can also feed Diatomaceous earth for worms in Live stock even dogs. Glad Bonnie is feeling better now.

hannah · March 20, 2012, 01:13:19 AM

Way to go Bonnie, glad you are getting better and better. Hope all the worm family is gone..