8 week old Puppy is sick - what to do?

hethmar

It sounds very odd to me. A breeder breeding crosses and not even bothering to insure them? I dont think the first freebie weeks actually costs the breeder anything/much as its a sprat to catch a mackerel as PP hope the new owner will continue with their policy.

I just pray the little one hasnt got parvo and will recover.

thorsoak

sophieschoice wrote: »

No she didn't. She didn't intend to buy one (she intended to buy a puppy at some point, a small breed - but only went 'for a look'!) but fell in love with her.
She has seen all the paperwork, record of innoculations from vet etc., and is in no doubt that puppy was 8 weeks old on day she bought her.
Friend was amazed at how much paperwork, keeping of records etc., that breeders have to do. It's a well run business.
Friend went for a look, went into town to buy bed, feeding stuff, toys etc., and in the hour she was gone three of the other litter had been sold too. There is no fault or blame attached to the breeder I just wanted to know, from a legal viewpoint, who should pay the escalating clinic fees?

Puppies should not be vaccinated until after they are 8 weeks old - until that age, their immunity is strong from the mother. I know of no vets that vaccinate under that age - in fact they generally prefer to vaccinate at 9 weeks old.

You say the pup is tiny - from that do I take it that it is a toy cross? Reputable good breeders do not allow toy puppies to leave until they are 13 weeks old.

Sadly, it all points to the fact that your friend has been taken in by a "registered" breeder. The breeder may be registered by the local council to have no more than X no of litters per year on a commercial basis - but certainly not by the Kennel Club - who do not accredit breeders of cross breeds.

I do hope that the puppy survives - but it is going to be a long, expensive road for your friend.

peachyprice

sophieschoice wrote: »

Yes, saw mother and father.
I can only suppose (because I wasn't there) that the cross breeds don't entail the same kind of treatment/insurance/vetting etc., simply because they aren't pure bred and hence much cheaper.

Well if the breeder is also breeding the same dogs as pure-breds she would want to keep this litter quite which may be why she didn't insure them.

chris_n_tj

I wont go into the why's and wherefors of breeding. I just want to wish the little puppy a speedy recovery and I am glad its with a family that is doing the "right" thing. God bless little girl I hope things work out ok for you xxxxxx

sophieschoice

Gosh, we are losing my original point here.
Breeder is definitely registered (don't know with whom) and checks are carried out. It is definitely NOT KC but we knew that already.
Pup was vaccinated Monday and sold Tuesday.
No it isn't a toy just small, not sure what it is crossed with but will find out.
Friend way too upset at the moment to ask too many questions.
Whatever happens (unless it's the worst) pup is staying despite how much it costs.
All other pups owners contacted and they are all fine and well. Which is a relief because it's less likely to be some kind of outbreak.

As friend doesn't seem to have any legal recourse I only hope breeder keeps her promise to part pay what is going to be a huge bill.
Keep your fingers crossed and I will update later. Hopefully with good news.

~Chameleon~

sophieschoice wrote: »

Thank you all for your replies.
Friend wanted a cross breed, ironically so it would be stronger, rather than a pure bred.
Pup isn't KC registered but I think (will find out for sure) that one or both parents is/are.
The lady IS definitely a fully fledged registered breeder and breeds all types of dogs both pure and cross.
There is no question of pup, if she recovers, being returned.
Very interesting point inspirespirit regarding Petplan insurance. Because of the cost involved in purchasing new puppies I would have thought it eminently sensible to have some form of insurance/guarantee in place.
Am awaiting call from friend to see if pup is out of isolation and she can then visit her.

So she's a puppy farmer then??

Lots of alarm bells ringing here, as others have mentioned, no reputable breeder just sells their pups to anyone, they usually have waiting lists before the b1tch is even in season and mated!

At 8wks old the puppy is also too young to have had any vaccinations. They should be done at 9 and 12 weeks. Has the vet ruled out parvovirus?

sophieschoice

~Chameleon~ wrote: »

So she's a puppy farmer then??

Lots of alarm bells ringing here, as others have mentioned, no reputable breeder just sells their pups to anyone, they usually have waiting lists before the b1tch is even in season and mated!

At 8wks old the puppy is also too young to have had any vaccinations. They should be done at 9 and 12 weeks. Has the vet ruled out parvovirus?

I don't know re parvo virus but wouldn't others in the litter have had it too?
As I've said, I'm not a 'dog' person at all so haven't a clue re times of vaccinations etc.
My vet saw puppy twice before she was admitted to clinic and vet at clinic isn't doing tests unless she shows no signs of improvement.
Have just called friend and she is going to phone clinic within the hour to see if pup out of isolation and then we can visit.

Sally42

EXACTLY the same thing happened to us ~ we bought a Jack Russell puppy to keep our existing girl company, and within three days of bringing her home, she started to be sick, had diarrohea, etc. This then moved on to our existing Jack. Altho' our new pup was insured, like your friend, the insurance company wouldn't cover her for the first 14 days. First the puppy, then the adult dog were admitted to the vets, both very ill, scaring us tremendously. The breeder wasn't registered as such, and wasn't insured ~ because (as others have said) the puppy would have been covered. Luckily, both recovered after five days at the vets ~ the older dog's bill mostly covered by insurance. And our vet ~ bless him ~ said that the virus came, not from us, but from the breeder (as in your friends case) and waved the bill for our puppy, asking simply for a donation to the RSPCA.
Altho' I can understand that your friend has been scrupulous in checking out the breeder, I do find it strange that said breeder didn't bother to get her puppies covered, considering the range ofproblems such little ones can suffer from. I bred Siamese cats on a hobby basis until recently, and used Petplan to cover my kitties ~ it's such an easy thing to do, and professional.

justjohn

Sorry i have skim read this .....

i have bred dogs(poodles).aprox 8 years ago... kc will only let you reg dogs of pure breed...now when i bred dogs (aprox 10 litters in total)..i used to give a voucher from KC that entitled the new owner free insurance for X days/weeks.

Now this is a cross...probably not recognised by KC. I would question how legit the breeder is....i do relise there are some cross breeds that are desirable however. Also some councils require you too register as a breeder.

Don't buy cross's that are not crossed for good reason.
Were possible only buy kc regd(yes it can be fiddled)

KC reged dogs are not weak dogs/bloodlines, you will get/ or should get a family tree. Which should show new bloodlines.

Show/KC winners/champions bloodlines of lesser quality are just the same price as others with no show/champion blood

Caroline_a

Good breeders do not breed many different types of dogs - usually one or sometimes two. Additionally they do not have 'accidents' - they plan their litters as it is far too expensive to have a litter of mongrels. Also good breeders gives 6 weeks free insurance with each pup - I think this is through the Kennel Club and you get it if you are registered with them.

It sounds very like a puppy farm to me I'm afraid, in which case I'm not surprised about the poor pup's illness, and tbh wouldnt be very surprised if the OP's friend is left with a huge bill and no pup. It's very very sad, and imho these people shouldn't be allowed to sell puppies. I do hope your friend's dog recovers, but she should be aware that the pup may be left with weaknesses having been so ill so young.