Dog with Live misfunction

[tflader]

Well, it starts off like this. I noticed my year old male pup was lethargic. I was a little behind on giving him his shots and wormer. So I took care of this. Then my wife had a baby and the dogs were left with a waterer and feeder. My other dog did fine. I had someone check on the dogs during my three day stay in the hospital with my wife. They told me the lethargic pup was not doing well at all. I got home the next day and found the dogs skin and gums all yellow. I took him to the vet. They were talking enormous amounts of money to run a IV and do blood test. I really don't have that kind of money and I wasn't sure the intervention was going to work. The dog seemed to be quite gone. I had him put to sleep. The question I have is has anyone else had a problem with a dog's liver shutting down. The vet said it was not Parvo. If he was old I would better understand. Anyone have any ideas. This incident made me question the safety of waterers. I mean they are very convient, but the water dosn't get changed every day like it does in a bowl. Maybe the pup had a predispositoin. He got sick once before. I don't remember him bieng yellow. He pulled out of it last time. I don't know if he ate something he should not have. He was in a kennel. The kennel is next to a shed. It is possible he ate a mouse or rat or something. I just hope my other dog will not get this horrible illness so far so good. Any ideas about what caused a liver to shut down in an otherwise healthy pup?

[Bunny Runner]

It sounds like to me that this little guy had a problem beyond your kennel, waterer, feeder, etc.
He may have had a liver disease since his birth, but without a necropsy, you'll never know.
I will state however, (and please don't take this wrong, as I am not placing blame) it's never a good idea to vaccinate an animal that "seems" ill or that it doesn't feel well. Lethargy is one of those "symptoms" that can be from some very serious problems or can be very minor. Holding off on giving vaccines until the dog is better is always a better idea.

Here is a good resource for reference.

http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index ... 2cjaundice

Sorry for your loss, but congradulations on your new baby.