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Woman Buys Dalmatian Puppy Off Craigslist, Ends Up With $10K In Vet Bills

A woman who bought a puppy from Craigslist has ended up paying over $10,000 in vet bills, but she told Newsweek she wouldn't change a thing about her best friend.

Kailah Pink, 28, lives in California with her partner and their three-year-old Dalmatian, Bobbie, who they took in during the pandemic when Pink was working from home, having "always dreamed of having a Dalmatian."

They found an ad for a litter of puppies on Craigslist, and instantly fell in love with the second-smallest in the litter, little girl Bobbie, and drove an hour to pick her up.

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Pink had researched the breed, and was aware of and prepared for their high energy and potential health issues, but nothing could have prepared them for Bobbie.

Just two days after getting her, Bobbie ate a bee—which turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Pink told Newsweek that while they were at the vet: "We found out she had a bacteria called giardia which comes from drinking water with bacteria in it before we got her, which could have eventually made her really sick."

"She also broke a toe the first time we let her run into an open field when we visited my boyfriend's parents in Illinois for the first time," she added.

And when they got her spayed, already an expensive procedure, her high-energy came back quickly, and she ended up bursting her stitches, "costing $2,000 in an emergency surgery on top of the $1,000 spent to get her spayed just a few days prior."

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Pink makes Bobbie's special meals from scratch as she requires a low-purine diet. She had always dreamed of having a Dalmatian and knew they came with extra challenges. Pink makes Bobbie's special meals from scratch as she requires a low-purine diet. She had always dreamed of having a Dalmatian and knew they came with extra challenges. TikTok @kailahpink

Pink's life with her expensive pet has now gone viral as she detailed some of her costs in a video to her TikTok account @kailahpink, which has close to 300,000 views since being shared on August 20.

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A slideshow starting with the pair on a hike showed the words: "I paid $1,000 for a Dalmatian on Craigslist and here's how it went."

It showed the tiny puppy curled up on a bed, when she ate a bee and was found to have giardia, being obsessed with food, hating loud noises, and her vet bills reaching astronomical highs—but also showed the sweeter moments, with Bobbie loving car rides, having "judging" facial expressions, and "making stank faces toward me."

And TikTok users responded in a big way, with one commenter writing: "LOL what we do for fur babies," and another reassuring Pink "At least she still has that cute puppy face."

"You need to claim them on your taxes," another laughed, while one thanked Pink for "taking such good care of her."

Bobbie, as a Dalmatian, also requires a low-purine diet as she was prone to urinary tract infections and kidney stones, so rather than organ meat, the couple feed their pup "chicken eggs, quail eggs, lamb, chicken, salmon, duck and veggies," which costs the family an extra $15 — $20 a week, with Pink preparing her meals from scratch.

Kailah Pink found her Dalmatian, Bobbie, on Craiglist. The dog has so far cost her thousands of dollars in vet bills, but she's happy to do it for her best friend. Kailah Pink found her Dalmatian, Bobbie, on Craiglist. The dog has so far cost her thousands of dollars in vet bills, but she's happy to do it for her best friend. TikTok @kailahpink

Bobbie is allergic to beef and turkey, and got sick from playing with other dogs at the dog park, and along with her illnesses, injuries and swathes of vaccinations, Pink estimates she has spent "a little over $10,000 as a conservative estimate" in vet bills for Bobbie.

And on top of all that, Bobbie has a habit of "eating my most expensive shoes, including Chanel and Christian Louboutins"—but doesn't bother chewing anything not made out of "genuine leather."

Despite it all, having Bobbie is "absolutely" worth it, Pink, who also has an Instagram dedicated to her dog, @billiondollarbobbie, told Newsweek.

"She's my best friend. She wakes me up at 7 a.M. For breakfast and waits patiently while I prepare it before she goes outside. She's a socialite at the dog park and regularly has three to four dogs chasing after her.

"She cuddles me at night and is the most smart and mischievous dog I've ever met. I take pride in treating her like a princess because who doesn't want princess treatment?

"Things might not always be easier but I'll make sure she lives the happiest and longest life possible."

That said, Pink added": I would definitely recommend pet insurance starting from when you get your puppy."

Dalmatians like Bobbie were the 47th most popular breed of dog in 2023, according to the American Kennel Club (AKC). Described by the AKC as dignified and reserved guard dogs, they are loyal and loving toward their owners, and a popular choice for active families thanks to their high energy.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.Com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.

The 4 Best Dog Dewormers Of 2024

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Intestinal parasites, often called worms, are microscopic organisms that live inside your dog and silently cause harm. Common intestinal parasites in dogs include roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms. Some worms, like roundworms and hookworms, can also infect humans. If your dog has worms, it's important to get rid of worms in dogs quickly and safely, but choosing parasite prevention can be difficult. The best dog dewormers kill the parasites your pet already has, while intestinal parasite preventives prevent future infections. 

With guidance from veterinarians, we chose the best dog dewormers based on their safety, efficacy, number of parasites targeted, and ease of use. Our top pick for a broad-spectrum dewormer is Drontal Plus Taste Tabs. One dose can kill four types of intestinal parasites, which is more than any other treatment.

Before you begin treatment, your veterinarian should do a fecal test to determine what type of worms your dog has. Your vet can advise you on what product might be best depending on your dog's temperament, lifestyle, and the most common parasites where you live since some products also kill fleas, ticks, and heartworms. All of the treatments we recommend also require a prescription from your veterinarian.

Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches pet products.

Our top picks for the best dog dewormers

Best broad-spectrum dewormer for dogs: Drontal Plus Taste Tabs - See at Chewy

Best tapeworm dewormer for dogs: Droncit Tablets - See at Chewy

Best oral parasite preventive for dogs: Trifexis Chewable Tablets - See at Chewy

Best topical parasite preventive for dogs: Advantage Multi for Dogs - See at Chewy

Best broad-spectrum dewormer

Drontal Plus is our top pick for the best dog dewormers because it eliminates multiple types of parasites in one dose and within seven days. You can give your dog the flavored chewable tablet alone or with a small amount of food.

The broad-spectrum dewormer contains three powerful active ingredients: pyrantel pamoate, praziquantel, and febantel. These ingredients work together to cover four species of tapeworms, two species of hookworms, two species of roundworms, and whipworms.

You'll need a prescription for Drontal Plus from your veterinarian, and a vet visit is also important because your dog may have other parasites that even a broad-spectrum dewormer can't eliminate. Keep in mind that your dog may require one or more follow-up treatments to make sure all the worms are eliminated. And because dogs commonly become infected with tapeworms by ingesting fleas, you'll also want to control and prevent those with one of the best flea and tick treatments for dogs. 

Best for tapeworms Droncit Tablets

A single dose of Droncit safely and quickly kills tapeworms within 24 hours.

One Droncit tablet works to paralyze and eliminate the four most common species of tapeworms within 24 hours. The active ingredient in Droncit is praziquantel, which is safe and effective for adult dogs and puppies 4 weeks of age and older. You can feed your dog the tablet whole or crumble and mix it with food.

Droncit is conveniently and affordably sold per pill, unlike the other tapeworm medicine we considered, Elanco Tapeworm Dewormer, which contains the same active ingredient praziquantel but is only sold in a five-pack. To prevent future tapeworm infections, be sure to treat any fleas your dog may have and give them a monthly flea prevention medicine.

Best oral parasite preventive Trifexis Chewable Tablets

Trifexis treats and controls three common intestinal parasites, kills adult fleas, and prevents heartworm infection with just one monthly chewable pill.

Our pick for best oral parasite preventive is Trifexis, a chewable tablet you give your dog monthly to treat and control hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. It also kills adult fleas and prevents heartworm. For maximum effectiveness, you should give your dog the beef-flavored chewable tablet with food.

Trifexis uses spinosad and milbemycin oximeto prevent, treat, and control parasites. While it does not kill or treat tapeworms, it kills adult fleas, which are responsible for transmitting the parasite. You'll need a prescription for Trifexis from your veterinarian and a current negative heartworm test. It should be used with caution in dogs with a history of seizures or breeding females. And although it is safe for puppies as young as 8 weeks old and weighing at least 5 pounds, puppies less than 14 weeks of age might experience a higher rate of vomiting than older dogs. 

Because Trifexis kills adult fleas, which can transmit tapeworms, it ranked higher than preventives that do not, including Heartgard Plus, Interceptor Plus, Iverhart Max Soft Chews, and Sentinel Spectrum. Simparica Trio treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other oral product, including adult fleas, flea larvae, ticks, heartworms, hookworms, roundworms, mange mites, and chewing lice. However, because intestinal parasites are the primary consideration in this guide, Trifexis gets the nod for preventing three intestinal parasites compared to Simparica Trio's two.

Best topical parasite preventive Advantage Multi for Dogs

With just one easy monthly application, Advantage Multi for Dogs treats, controls, and prevents more parasites than any other topical product.

No single preventive covers every parasite that could harm your dog, but Advantage Multi comes close. Containing the active ingredients imidacloprid and moxidectin, the topical treatment prevents three common intestinal parasites: roundworms, hookworms, and whipworms. It also prevents flea infestations by killing adult fleas before they can lay eggs and prevents heartworm and mange mites.

Choosing between an oral or topical parasite product can be a tough decision. Sometimes, dogs do better with one versus the other. "Some animals can't tolerate or have a food allergy to an oral product, so they must use a topical," says Dr. Melissa Smits, a partner at Fort Morgan Veterinary Clinic. "Or their skin may be sensitive to a topical so an oral is better." If your dog has no tolerance issues, it usually comes down to your preference.

Advantage Multi is easy to use: You apply it every 30 days to the skin at the base of your dog's neck between the shoulder blades. The liquid is absorbed and dries within hours. Unlike with some other topical preventives, you do not need to wear gloves to apply it. If you get the product on your hands, simply wash them with soap and water. For the first 30 minutes after application, keep dogs from licking the application site, either on themselves or other treated dogs in the house. Children should not touch the application site for two hours after application.

 As with all medications that prevent heartworm, your dog needs a heartworm test before starting Advantage Multi and annually after that.

How we selected the best dog dewormers

While researching and writing this guide, I drew from my eight years of experience as an assistant in veterinary hospitals and two decades of experience as a writer and editor in the pet and veterinary fields. I conducted research using the Quick Product Reference Guide published by the independent, nonprofit Companion Animal Parasite Council. This helpful reference, which includes all FDA- and EPA-approved parasite control products for small animals, lists each product's active ingredients, how the product is used, and which parasites it controls. 

I also consulted with two licensed veterinarians for advice regarding the treatment and prevention of intestinal parasites like tapeworms, roundworms, and hookworms, as well as heartworms and ectoparasites like fleas, ticks, and mites. Although this information guided our product selection, our experts did not specifically endorse or recommend any of the products in this guide.

Here are the main attributes I looked for:

Safety and efficacy: Only FDA-approved products were considered for this guide.

Number of parasites treated: In general, products that covered more parasites received higher ratings. This did not apply to tapeworm dewormers, which are only intended to treat one parasite.

Ease of use: Products received lower ratings if they were more complicated to use than a similar product. For example, lower ratings were given if gloves need to be worn to apply the product or if children and pets need to be kept away from the treated animal for a period of time after application.

Minimum age and weight: When comparing similar products, higher scores went to preventives that can be used in younger animals.

Dog dewormer FAQs What is the most effective dewormer for dogs?

Although different parasite preventives cover many different parasites, no one product covers every single internal and external parasite that could affect your dog. Talk to your veterinarian to help you decide which product will be best for your dog. "This is the most important part of having a relationship with a veterinarian in your area," says Smits. "We are trained to know what parasite problems we have in our area are, what lifestyle risks are important to consider, and overall, what is best for an individual pet and lifestyle."

Can I deworm my dog myself?

Even though some dewormers are available without a prescription, do not skip the vet visit since different drugs treat different worms. Your vet will perform a physical exam and a fecal test to determine what type of worms they have. "Not all intestinal parasites are created equal, and there is not a one-size-fits-all when it comes to deworming medications," says Dr. Kelley Lay, a relief veterinarian in Nashville, Tennessee. Although a broad-spectrum dewormer kills several different types of worms, certain single-celled microscopic parasites (protozoa), including coccidia and Giardia, are not true worms. They require different prescription medications to treat them. Your dog also might need follow-up deworming and another fecal exam to ensure no parasites remain.

Do natural dewormers work for dogs?

Natural dewormers aren't necessarily a better option, so you should check with your veterinarian before giving one to your dog. "While 'natural' deworming products may have some effect on intestinal parasites, I've consulted with numerous clients over the years who have tried them with repeated failure," says Lay. She adds that conventional, veterinarian-recommended dewormers have gone through stringent drug trials and studies to prove they are effective and safe to use.

What can I give my dog to prevent worms?

Veterinarians recommend keeping dogs on a broad-spectrum parasite preventive all year, not only in the spring and summer months. Different parasites are active during different months, and parasite activity varies. Parasites can also become active earlier than expected, including during the winter. "Many adult dogs may be asymptomatic carriers," says Lay. "Parasites are not always able to be seen in feces and so you may not even know the problem is there. This can lead to infections that linger undetected for a long time."

Types of worms and their signs and symptoms

Most dogs will contract intestinal parasites at some point in their lives. Some of the most common worms seen in dogs are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms. In adult dogs, parasite infestations may cause mild to moderate digestive symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and gas. However, heavy infestations can lead to severe issues, especially in young puppies.

"They can cause intestinal problems, malnutrition, anemia, growth problems in puppies, and even potential autoimmune issues," says Smits. "Also important is the zoonotic risk, potential spread to human family members."

Roundworms: These parasites are common in dogs, especially puppies, and are 3- to 6-inches long, smooth, and round-bodied. You might not know your dog has roundworms, particularly if they have only a few. In puppies, large numbers of worms may cause a pot-bellied appearance, vomiting, diarrhea, low appetite, dull coat, and restricted growth. You might also see roundworms in your dog's stool or vomit. Roundworms are zoonotic, which means they can be spread to human family members.

Tapeworms: Dogs pick up tapeworms when they ingest an infected adult flea. As the tapeworm grows, segments break off and pass in your dog's stool. If you see something in your dog's feces that resembles grains of white rice or you notice them licking or biting the area under their tail, they could have a tapeworm infestation.

Hookworms: Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that attach to the wall of the intestines. These tiny worms are nearly invisible without the assistance of a microscope. Signs of hookworm infection in dogs include anemia, weight loss, bloody diarrhea, dull coat, and growth restriction. Hookworms are zoonotic so they can be spread to human family members.

Whipworms: Whipworms are relatively large intestinal parasites (about a ¼-inch long) that reside in the cecum and large intestine, where they wreak serious havoc. Dogs with heavy whipworms are likely to experience concerning symptoms, such as watery, bloody diarrhea, weight loss, and anemia.

Jackie Brown

Freelance Writer

Pet expert Jackie Brown has spent 20 years following her passion for animals as a writer and editor in the pet industry. Her expertise includes dog and cat health, care, nutrition, feeding, grooming, behavior, and training. Jackie writes regularly for pet and veterinary industry media, including Dogster and Catster magazines, The Spruce Pets, Great Pet Care and All About Cats.   She is a contributing writer for "National Geographic's Complete Guide to Pet Health, Behavior, and Happiness" and author of the book "It's Raining Cats and Dogs: Making Sense of Animal Phrases." She is contributing editor of Dogster and Catster magazines, and the former editor of numerous pet magazines, including Dog World, Natural Dog, Puppies 101, Kittens 101, and the Popular Cats Series.   Jackie earned her bachelor of arts degree in English from the University of California, Irvine. Prior to starting her career in publishing, she spent eight years working in veterinary hospitals where she assisted veterinarians as they treated dogs, cats, rabbits, pocket pets, reptiles, birds, and one memorable lion cub. She lives in Southern California with her husband, two sons, and miniature poodle Jäger, who she grooms at home.  Jackie can be reached at jackiebrownwriter.Wordpress.Com. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider here. Read more Read less

Outdoor Action Guide To Giardia, Lyme Disease And Other 'post Trip' Illnesses

Monday October 28, 2024  

by Rick Curtis

We hope that you had an exciting and enjoyable time in the wilderness on your Outdoor Action Trip. After you've gotten a shower and washed your clothes, there are a few important pieces of information you need to be aware of. All outdoor travelers may come in contact with things during the trip that can lead to illnesses later on. Typically, the signs and symptoms of these illnesses don't become apparent until after your trip is over, so it is important that you be able to recognize them. Should you experience some of the symptoms noted below after an Outdoor Action Trip, go to the University Health Center and describe your symptoms to a practitioner or see your own physician. Be sure to inform the health practitioner about your backcountry trip since they may not initially identify the proper cause of the illness without knowing about your wilderness trip. Most of these illnesses can be treated effectively using antibiotics, as long as you go for treatment promptly. For more information on any of these, see the Centers for Disease Control Web site (www.Cdc.Gov).

Water-borne Infections

Giardia: Giardiasis refers to a syndrome of diarrhea, excess gas, and abdominal cramping. It is caused by Giardia lamblia, a water-borne parasite that is worldwide in distribution. The symptoms usually occur one to two weeks after exposure to the parasite. Symptoms initially include diarrhea, bloating, nausea, abdominal cramping, and malaise. Weight loss is also a frequent finding. Backcountry travelers usually contract giardiasis by drinking water from untreated or improperly treated sources. Chemical treatment of the water and commercial water filtration systems, used properly, eradicate the parasite. The diagnosis of giardiasis can be confirmed by inspecting a stool sample for the presence of the parasite. Because this test may not always identify the organism even if it is present, a physician may elect to treat you empirically for the infection. The use of an appropriate antibiotic for seven days is usually highly effective in relieving symptoms and curing the disease.

Cryptosporidium: Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that causes a diarrheal illness similar to Giardia. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, headache, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and low-grade fever that may appear 2 to 10 days after infection. Some infected people will be asymptomatic. Currently, there is no effective treatment for Cryptosporidium. Symptoms usually last 1 to 2 weeks, at which time the body's immune system is able to stop the infection. People with normal immune systems are generally not at risk and improve without taking antibiotics or antiparasitic medications. For people with compromised immune systems this can be a dangerous disease. Please see your physician.

Cyclospora: Cyclospora is a recently discovered cause of diarrhea. It can cause a prolonged illness (average 6 weeks) with profound fatigue, loss of appetite, and intermittent diarrhea. Cyclospora can be treated with antibiotics. If you develop these symptoms, consult your physician.

Tick-borne Diseases

Lyme Disease: Lyme disease is an infection caused by a spiral shaped bacterium called a spirochete. This bacterium is carried in the gut of the deer tick Ixodes dammini. The tick becomes infected after feeding on the blood of an infected animal. Once infected, the tick can transmit the disease to its next host. Deer ticks are extremely small, with tick nymphs being about the size of the period at the end of this sentence. This means that you may have been bitten without realizing it. The tick needs to feed for an extended period of time (8-12 hours) before infection can occur. So just because you have found a tick does not mean that you have been infected. It is also possible that the tick was not carrying the disease.

Detecting Lyme Disease can be difficult to identify in the early stages as the early symptoms—fever, headache, stiffness, lethargy, and a myriad of other mild complaints, are often dismissed as the flu. In some cases (25%), there is a red, ring-like rash that occurs at the site of the bite. The rash is often referred to as a "bull's eye" rash because it has a white center surrounded by a red ring. Most typically, the rash expands and then fades within a few weeks after the bite. There is a blood test for Lyme Disease, but it is not perfect. The test generally produces positive results in the later stages of the disease but often turns up false negative results in the early stages of infection. Therefore, diagnosis in the early phase is frequently based on symptoms and the likelihood of a deer tick bite. Early detection means early treatment when the disease is most effectively controlled with antibiotics. Lyme disease can result in more serious symptoms if left untreated.

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever: This disease is carried by a bacterium and can be transmitted by the bites of dog or wood ticks. Contrary to what the name of the disease suggests, it can be found throughout the U.S. Watch for mild chills, appetite loss, and a general run-down feeling. These symptoms may worsen to sever chills, fever, headaches, muscle and bone pain, and sensitivity to light. Also, a spotty red rash may appear (hence the name) usually starting at the wrists and ankles and spreading over the rest of the body. Normal onset of these symptoms is anywhere between 3 and 14 days, so anyone bitten by a tick should be aware of the disease, as it may not present itself until the trip is over. Untreated, the mortality rate is 20 to 30%. Anyone who shows these signs should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Ehrlichiosis: Ehrlichiosis is a recently recognized tick-borne disease caused by a bacterium. The disease is similar to Rocky Mountain spotted fever and can be life threatening. The most common symptoms are sudden high fever, tiredness, major muscle aches, severe headache, and, in some cases, a rash (similar to the symptoms of Lyme Disease). Symptoms usually appear 3 to 16 days after a tick bite. The same ticks that carry Lyme Disease can also transmit Ehrlichiosis at the same time. Without treatment Ehrlichiosis can be fatal. Ehrlichiosis can be treated with the same antibiotic used to treat Lyme Disease. Anyone who shows these signs should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Tick Paralysis: A number of species of ticks can transmit tick paralysis. It is not an infection, but a by-product of venom in the tick's saliva that is secreted while the tick is attached. Symptoms are unsteady movement and gait (ataxia) and ascending paralysis starting in the lower extremities and moving up. Paralysis can cause loss of respiratory drive, requiring CPR and immediate evacuation. Once the tick is removed, the source of the venom is gone and the patient generally recovers completely. Children are more likely to be affected than adults. Any patient with an ascending paralysis should be carefully checked for an attached tick.

Tularemia: Tularemia, or rabbit fever, is a bacterial disease of which the most common carriers are rabbits, although it can also be transmitted by ticks. The disease presents with flu-like symptoms and can be treated with antibiotics.

Mosquito-borne Diseases

West Nile Virus: West Nile virus (WNV) is a potentially serious illness that is transmitted by the bite of some mosquitoes. WNV affects the central nervous system. Symptoms vary.

No Symptoms in Most People. Approximately 80 percent of people who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all.

Mild Symptoms in Some People. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected will display mild symptoms, including fever, headache, and body aches, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash on the chest, stomach and back. Symptoms typically last a few days.

Serious Symptoms in a Few People. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

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