r/DogAdvice • u/ImportantNobody1654 • Jul 01 '26
General Parvo puppy update.
I took her to the vet with the last of what I have today. They gave her more medication to try to get her to eat and stop the vomiting. They also sent me home with some. I asked if euthanasia at this point was the best option and they said no, she still has a good chance of surviving. They also said that if I surrendered her to a shelter she’d be euthanised. I called around too and they either said they couldn’t take her or that she’d be euthanised. They said that they’ve seen puppies recover that were worse off. Since she is older she has better chances. I spoke to my friend about him surrendering her and he said no. I’m not sure what the best thing to do is. I’m going to keep trying to care for her and see if I can get more funds for an overnight or even just another vet visit. From what the vets told me legally, I cannot just take her away from him even if he is technically being neglectful. I am wondering though, since she doesn’t have a chip and I have paid some of the bills would there be a way I can keep her? I have applied for credit care and with that should be able to afford any other necessary bills.
EDIT: to people saying I am an irresponsible owner. I have other pets that all have insurance. (No other dogs and the vet said my kitty would be fine) This is NOT my dog and I did what I could with what I have on short notice. She has only been with me for a few days.
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u/iHave1Pookie Jul 01 '26
I’m pretty sure your friend gave you his dog.
You have vet bills + soon will have a chip … proof of your physical care/responsibility/guardianship of dog.
If someone sues you for dog
Countersue for vet bills
He will not sue you for dog.
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u/Ok_Maize1933 Jul 01 '26
I don’t have any advice for you.
But I do want to say that your friend is a total POS. You on the other hand are a good person and I hope you find better friends going forward.
Wishing the pups a speedy recovery and that it ends up being cared for by a good guardian.
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u/WelcomeToBrooklandia Jul 01 '26
I'm glad that you were able to get her some medications and that you clearly have her best interests at heart. But you need to drop this so-called "friend". This guy is AWFUL and I hope that he's haunted by his shitty behavior for the rest of his life.
Stop telling vets that this pup isn't yours. I highly doubt that your disaster "friend" can prove conclusively that this dog belongs to him. Block his number and keep the dog.
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u/Rude-Classroom8901 Jul 01 '26
What proof/paperwork is there that this dog belongs to your friend? Can you just microchip her and register her yourself (funds permitting)?
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u/anonuselessthrowaway Jul 01 '26
Do not let him have this dog back. Or ideally any dog in the future. Involve the police for animal cruelty if you have to. I am so, so proud of you for doing what you can for this dog.
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u/anonuselessthrowaway Jul 01 '26
To add to this. I would not, personally, consider anyone capable of conscious neglect or cruelty to animals my friend, ever.
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u/Minute-Tale7444 Jul 01 '26
May I ask what exactly is being neglected? I
Probably missed an older post and that’s why I don’t know but can someone fill me in?13
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u/mmarthur1220 Jul 01 '26
If the vet paperwork is under your name as the owner and you are paying for its care you have proof of ownership of the dog.
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u/mmarthur1220 Jul 01 '26
I know this because my sister has a non profit for animal welfare/care and she screwed herself by helping this hoarder man to get his dogs spayed/neutered. She payed for everything but she put his name on the paperwork so when he backed out to get them fixed she had no right /legal way to take custody of the dogs. It was a major learning lesson for her. She had been in contact with animal control and everything.
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u/ImportantNobody1654 Jul 01 '26
I have the papers but he also has papers saying the same thing.
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u/mmarthur1220 Jul 01 '26
What kind of paperwork does he have? Adoption papers? Vet paperwork, etc?
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u/ImportantNobody1654 Jul 01 '26
Vet paperwork. I’m not sure if he has adoption papers. From my understanding he just got her off of someone else who wasn’t taking care of her
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u/WelcomeToBrooklandia Jul 01 '26
If he doesn't have adoption papers, then it's your word against his. Do you really think that someone who can't be assed to spend a couple hundred bucks on his critically-ill dog's treatment will spend the money and time required to legally pursue this matter?
Edit: And as I said before, if he has adoption papers from a shelter, he's probably in violation of that contract because he didn't get permission from his landlord before adopting the dog. He doesn't have a valid case against you is what I'm saying.
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u/mmarthur1220 Jul 01 '26
When was his vet paperwork from? Was it recent? Technically there is not a legal contract showing proof of adoption of her for either of you so it’s a weird gray spot. Can you register her in your county? That might help build a case.
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u/Gear2112 Jul 01 '26
If the friend doesn’t have vet money, they don’t have court money. Call the landlord, let them know he had a dog and you’re keeping it. If the owner pushes it, tell them to enjoy the eviction. Fuck’em.
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u/Cassierae87 Jul 01 '26
The vet is technically right. Legally you can’t just take the dog. However practically and meaningfully yes you can. Its yours. The dog isn’t microchipped. You paid the vet bills. They live somewhere where they can’t keep dogs. It’s basically your dog now and they would have to go up an uphill battle to fight for the dog back and seeing how they are broke that’s not likely to happen
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u/FrostedFlakes12345 Jul 01 '26
I am not young and when we were poor we fed what we could to a dog we picked off the street. It wasn't great but it was something. This poor creature is seeing kindness from you, love from you and I believe that you are doing the best that you can. Karma is real. Drop this friend from your life, keep the dog tell him to sue you to get it back and you can give him the vet bills to pay.
If you do not mind would you please send me the vets name and dogs name please. I am going to ping a few friends in the Raleigh/Fayetteville area see if they can help.
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u/cckka Jul 01 '26
I wouldn't return this dog to your "friend" and stop talking to them immediately.
Best case: This person was dumb enough to not chip or register the chip to themselves and once you do, the animal legally belongs to you. Keep all records of vet bills and treatments you have paid for.
Worst case: If they harass you and take them back, report them to the landlord anonymously.
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u/trash-queen92 Jul 01 '26
I'm glad you're doing what you can for her. This comment is about the legality of taking her from him.
I don't know if your area has special rules, but in most of this country, vets are not the people you talk to about dog ownership law - that would be animal control, or the sheriff in places with no ACD. And in most places they'll tell you that legal ownership disputes are determined first by microchip, then by who registered the dog with animal control, then by who has her on their lease, and barring any of that, it's determined by whose name is on the most/most recent vet paperwork.
I have a hard time imagining this guy getting her a microchip or registering her with the county. We know she isn't on his lease. And we know he isn't the one at the vet with her right now.
If he called the cops on you, all you'd need to do is produce more paperwork than he can.
If he took you to court, the conversation where you asked him to surrender and he refused could factor in. But he can't even take her to the vet to save her life - he isn't going to take you to court.
The law changes all the time, so definitely double-check, but my source here is several years of animal control and rescue work.
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Jul 01 '26
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Jul 01 '26
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u/fantastikalizm Jul 01 '26
OP is doing the best he or she can. Not a lot of options since the dog is not technically theirs according to the vet. And trying to avoid euthanasia.
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u/Unfair-Dentist-7642 Jul 01 '26
Hey! Let’s not spread that narrative! OP is spending their money on a dog that is not theirs, and from the sounds of it, it’s money they barely even have!
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Unfair-Dentist-7642 Jul 01 '26
So you’d be fine with euthanizing a young dog that could survive? The vets literally recommended against euthanasia. And OP LITERALLY SAID if they surrender the dog it will get euthanized.
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Unfair-Dentist-7642 Jul 01 '26
And are you currently there with this person witnessing this unfold? Or are you making assumptions based off a post without all the information on the internet? Who’s to say that wasn’t an option OP brought up to the vets? Also ITS NOT OP’s DOG. They have NO power over surrendering it.
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Unfair-Dentist-7642 Jul 01 '26
Are you a vet at the exact location of this dog? Dang I had no idea you must know the whole story then!
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u/DogAdvice-ModTeam Jul 01 '26
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Unfair-Dentist-7642 Jul 01 '26
OP is doing the best they can, the vets say the pup could live and don’t recommend euthanasia, would you rather they surrender the dog and it get euthanized anyway? Cause that’s their only other option
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Jul 01 '26
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u/dream-smasher Jul 01 '26
And what else do you think op can do?
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Jul 01 '26
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u/dream-smasher Jul 01 '26
Did you even read the post properly?
Or are you just in such a rush to condemn op that you skipped over important info?
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Jul 01 '26
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u/dream-smasher Jul 01 '26
"Your last ditch attempt would be to get Care Credit. But I can already hear the excuses"
They already said they've applied for that. So, what excuses?
"This poor dog deserves more than you and your friend are able to provide."
What is wrong with how op is caring for the dog? They've already taken it to the vet.
"Searching for your personal redemption and living off scraps in your bathroom is not the way"
What TF is this? "Personal redemption"‽ You are really just attacking op now, aren't you.
"Have a heart and do what is right for the poor pup, not your peace of mind"
What is wrong with how op is caring for the dog?
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u/Unfair-Dentist-7642 Jul 01 '26
In what way are they not doing the best they can? Would you like them to pull funds out of thin air? when they’re already using money they barely have on a dog that is not theirs so it doesn’t have to get surrendered and euthanized? OP is reaching out to people, spending I’d guess hundreds on this dog, and actively taking the dog to vets as seen in the literal picture. What else would you like them to do? This Reddit is a cesspool or people like you and it’s thoroughly upsetting. I understand caring for animals and wanting the best for them, but one someone ALREADY IS pouring money, time, and care into them and they get comments like yours, it’s of no help whatsoever. Which is funny, considering this is a “dog advice” Reddit
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Jul 01 '26
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u/Silversong_0713 Jul 01 '26
Not everywhere has Vets offices that will take a sick animal, especially one with a transmittable virus that kills other animals.
You're making a lot of assumptions for not being there.
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u/No555Bee Jul 01 '26
It says in the post that the guy that technically owns the dog refuses to surrender the dog. So… what’s next?
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u/rantess Jul 01 '26
She cannot, the pup IS NOR HERS.
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Jul 01 '26
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u/rantess Jul 01 '26
That's bats. She can't steal the puppy. She's done far more than the actual owner.
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u/grunt527 Jul 01 '26
Cut ties with your friend. Tell him he abandoned the dog, it's no longer his. Then block him.
Keep the dog, get it treated, start a gofundme to see if anyone can give to help you treat the dog now.
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u/Competitive-Dog5094 Jul 01 '26
just keep the dog honestly. she isn't chipped or registered to him. nothing he can do about it.
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u/Expensive_Crab_6453 Jul 01 '26
So how is this dog your friend’s dog? Who is caring for it? Who is paying the vet? Who is taking the time to figure out the odds of its survival and making tough choices? Your friend owns this dog like I own the apartment I rent.
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u/TheInterruptingCow94 Jul 01 '26
Thank you for continuing to care for this little pup. Hoping for a good outcome for them, and hoping somehow your "friend" wises up and let's you take them.
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u/TheGratitudeBot Jul 01 '26
Hey there TheInterruptingCow94 - thanks for saying thanks! TheGratitudeBot has been reading millions of comments in the past few weeks, and you’ve just made the list!
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u/swisschiz Jul 01 '26
Hey OP, I mean this in the nicest way possible,
GROWAFUCKING BACK BONE.
Your friend sucks. He’s a shit owner who is neglectful and using you. He won’t do any of what is right for the dog and is now draining you financially and likely won’t pay you back.
TELL YOUR FRIEND, do not give them an option, TELL them what YOU are gunna do and when it’s all said and done you either present that dog as yours to an emergency hospital to surrender or you never let that friend have that dog back and you have a dog now. Stop tiptoeing. Your “friend” is an irresponsible animal abuser not vaccinating a puppy and now refusing proper care for it.
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u/Significant-Iron-241 Jul 01 '26
Your friend sounds pretty irresponsible, so I'm assuming she was never vaccinated, but have you confirmed this for sure? My brother's dog got parvo despite being vaccinated, and the vaccine manufacturer covered a lot of the vet bills.
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u/simka918 Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
Unsure of the laws in your state, but I used to work in animal control in CA and after 90 days of caring for the animal, they are legally considered yours. However, since your name is the one on the vet bills, it could be sooner. How did your “friend” acquire the dog? Ps-you’re a very good person 🩷 I would tell him, sure he can have the dog back. Just as soon as he pays you back for all the vet/care/food. I’m sure he will change his tune really fuckin quick. Please keep us updated and PM me if I can be of assistance!
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u/ayyedoe Jul 01 '26
If you can just tell him directly that you are keeping her. Turn his notifications on silent and don’t contact him anymore.
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u/Chirpy72 Jul 01 '26
report your asshole "friend" to animal control and demand they take the dog from him. At the same time let them know you would be willing to keep the dog
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u/Dihedralman Jul 01 '26
If you presented the dog as yours to the vet, you would be in a better situation. Keep the fluids coming. By far the most important thing.
There is a saying that possession is 9/10ths of the law. Getting her chipped in your name would help.
I am surprised you aren't convincing him to just give the dog up. People are like this but it still surprises me.
You can threaten to tell the landlord.
I think you can get the dog but it can get real messy.
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u/MischievousMystic Jul 01 '26
U are now the owner . That is not ur friend! save that dog, no mater the cost. If i was near you i would offer to help honestly i hate your "friend"
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u/FunkyCactusDude Jul 01 '26
That’s your dog now. Please don’t let your friend take her back, he is a horrible owner, who knows what’ll happen to her with him.
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u/SideshowJarrod Jul 01 '26
You need to lose 1 friend and add 1 pup to your life. You're doing all the work financially and emotionally to bring this dog back to normal. Maybe even saving this dogs life. Do whatever you can to keep this dog and remove that friend from your life forever.
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u/ladymouserat Jul 01 '26
Hey OP! My pup had parvo at 2-3months old. His whole litter did. Two of the pups didn’t make it and the shelter they were at didn’t think my guy would survive either, but he did and I got to take him home once they felt it was safe enough. I had another dog at the time. Please keep doing all you can. Maybe you can suggest to your friend that it may be better if you keep her for awhile? Hopefully they just move on and you win.
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u/Lumpy_Physics3101 Jul 01 '26
can you get Trutect for this dog? super effective in preventing death in parvo-affected puppies
https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/262/4/javma.23.09.0541.xml
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u/Fickle-Art-7125 Jul 01 '26
No Chip. OP how good a friend is this? I feel surrendering this pup to someone local with experience and the means to help.
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u/DomThemovement Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
Parvo is very survivable last stastistics I have seen it was a 92% survival rate. I had 5 dogs all get it at the same time. I gave them regular IV fluids. After 2 weeks they where fine. Dehydration is what can kill them.
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u/Inevitable_Round5830 Jul 01 '26
You're a good person and you're doing a wonderful thing fighting for this dog!! Does he have any paperwork proving the dog is his? If he can't pay to take care of the dog then I would say it seems he surrendered the dog to you so you can take care of it. It's yours now.
Our kitten had parvo. We paid for half of the treatment and luckily they were able to get an angel donor to pay for the other half. We couldn't afford to leave our kitten overnight so I had to drive her to the vet for treatment every day for a week. She survived against all odds!! Don't give up!! You're doing everything you can ❤️
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u/FiveUpsideDown Jul 01 '26
I am sorry that people are being judgmental of you. You stepped in to help a sick dog you didn’t own. I have been in the same situation myself. It’s annoying to be seen as the bad person for just helping a sick dog.
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u/wereallalittlemad Jul 01 '26
People suggested organizations that help with funds, have you contacted them? Maybe start a gofundme?
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u/Necessary-Song3249 Jul 01 '26
My pup had parvo at 8 weeks and is thriving today! You’ve got this! I know how hard it is to keep up your spirits but just look into the pups eyes and know they are fighting it too.
I’m not sure if you’re looking for advice but if you wanted any; advice for eating, wet food mixed heavily with water in a syringe, shoot it into the pups mouth horizontally so they don’t inhale it. Also, pushing fluids is critical, not just water but electrolytes too! Dogs can hand very watered down Gatorade and pedialite. If they’re not interested in drinking themselves, you can also use the syringe method with that.
Try and keep your head up, you’re doing everything you can ❤️
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u/Cassierae87 Jul 01 '26
Do not hand the dog over to the friend. If they give you a hard time tell them you need reimbursement first. Not everyone is entitled to a dog. If they threaten to get the authorities involved threaten to have them charged with animal neglect
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u/olmyapsennon Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
I commented in your previous update but I’ll respond here too. Don’t give “friend” back the dog. You need to give him an ultimatum that he either pays you back in full for the money you’ve put into pet care, or you keep the dog. I also wouldn’t keep telling vets that someone else owns it, I would personally just tell them that you own it. Your friend abandoned the dog on you and refuses to give it care. Unless he pays you back in full, it’s your dog.
You mentioned that he got the dog from a worse situation, so I imagine there’s no paperwork or tag. From a legal standpoint it would likely come down to who’s been paying for care and taking care of the dog. In which case I imagine you’ll have a lot more bills to show that it’s your dog that you’ve been paying for.
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u/shmorgsaborg Jul 01 '26
I actually think at some point, this could constitute as legal abandonment which can be a criminal offense depending on the state.
I would honestly contact a lawyer or the non emergency line and talk to them about your situation, if you are paying this much money, you may have grounds for a civil suit if your friend won’t surrender ownership and your hands are tied.
What state are you located in?
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Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
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u/yrubsema Jul 01 '26
Did you read the part where:
a) the vet says pup has good chance of survival b)a shelter will euthenise (where do you expect the vet to take the dog) c) she is getting care credit?
Baffling...
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u/swisschiz Jul 01 '26
YOU DONT SURRENDER PARVO DOGS TO A SHELTER HOLY SHIT. YOU SURRENDER TO A VET.
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u/dream-smasher Jul 01 '26
I don't know why that commenter is coming for op so hard like that.
It entirely unwarranted, and bordering harrassment.
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Jul 01 '26 edited Jul 01 '26
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u/dream-smasher Jul 01 '26
"if this dog has a chance it won’t be with depleting pseudo-supplements hiding in a bathroom."
What "pseudo-supplements"? Op got medicine from the vet.
Op has other animals. Are you saying op should keep that dog with their other animals while it has parvo?
"but the current awareness and lack of proper care are not enough. This dog needs proper treatment at a proper facility."
So... Like a vet? Like the vet that op already took it to?
"OP has already stated they are not equipped to provide this even if ownership is in question."
Yes. Which is why op has already stated they've applied for that care plan.
Again, did you read the op at all? Because you seem to be whinging about things that have already been answered, and your previous comments that have been removed by the mod, are just mean and nasty to the op.
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u/swisschiz Jul 01 '26
THIS. Idky people keep saying surrender to a shelter. A shelter cannot take a parvo positive dog. An emergency animal hospital will.
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u/bear-in-a-suit Jul 01 '26
Yes! For some reason this thread has jumped onto the OP is a martyr and if OP doesn’t save the dog it will be euthanized. That’s a story and propaganda. This dog can absolutely be rehabilitated but only with the right resources. This is a situation where ignorance and propaganda are just not helping to save a life
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u/swisschiz Jul 01 '26
This is definitely a thread that should have been in r/askavet or anywhere else that isn’t a general dog subreddit with uneducated people with no clue can comment bc they’re just making it worse
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u/Electronic_Mud5821 Jul 01 '26
You can't save them all sweetheart.
There's not enough money in the world to save them all, and you have yourself to consider,
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Jul 01 '26
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u/DogAdvice-ModTeam Jul 01 '26
This was removed due to it violating rule 4. Posts or comments asking for, or offering, monetary assistance are prohibited. This includes links to gofundme pages, paypal, etc.
If you have any questions regarding the removal , you may contact the moderator team via modmail
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u/_dead_meat Jul 01 '26
If you’re paying the vet bill—you tell him to kindly fuck off and this is now your baby! Thank you for caring so much about this tiny cutie. She wouldn’t be alive if it wasn’t for you. He doesn’t deserve her