Bought a very sick puppy

Greenlady

So, finally gave in to my love of Labradors and agreed to get one. Noticed he was skinny when visiting but he was quite lively, so I wasn't majorly concerned and I was assured that vet was quite happy with his development. Breeder did saymas he wasn't getting much with his litter mates, he was being fed spearately.

Once I got him home he was still lively but wouldn't eat much (I raised it with the breeder in writing who admitted he was a bit fussy and she did make scrambled egg for him somtimes with bits of tuna - so it wasn't really the litter mates taking his food). I tried that but still not that successful.

We picked him up on a sunday and his second jab was scheduled for coming Friday. Again, as he was lively, no need to rush him.

Sadly, once we got there for the jab the vet said he'd not be getting his booster as he had a bad murmur that needed immediate investigation.

I kept the breeders updated, as asked, and she made all the right noises "Oh no, we didn't know. I'm so sorry. Keep us posted."

He was referred to another clinic and from there to a specialist clinic.

He has tricuspid valve dysplasia with right side heart failure, ascitis and pulmonic stenosis.

Incredibly long story short and few thousand pounds later (he has free kennel club insurance but that is probably void as I know now the breeders vets had already found the murmur and that monitoring was required).

We'd not have brought him home if we'd known. It's been very distressing because we got attached to the puppy very quickly. She did offer to have him back and refund the money but admitted she had no money to treat him (nor do we, but can't contemplate not to!)

What would you do in these circumstances? Head is all over the place.

Lavendyr

I'm really sorry I have little advice, it sounds like an awful situation. At least the breeder has offered to refund you - ultimately they should never have sold him to you, so there might be some further monetary compensation there but it doesn't make up for the bond that you forge with a pet. Ultimately I guess you need to decide whether to hand him back (where you know he won't be treated) or keep him and give him the best life you can, treatment or no.

Red-Squirrel_2

I'd expect the breeder to give you a refund and let you keep him. If she won't pay for treatment then her offering to take him back is just a death sentence isn't it? Do you have it all in writing from her? Even just texts?

It might be worth consulting a solicitor to see if its worth pursuing her for your costs based on her misrepresentation. I don't believe for a minute she hasn't got any money, how many lab puppies does she sell every year? She's certainly not a responsible ethical breeder so she'll be doing it for the cash and she wouldn't bother if she wasn't making any!

Zandy_23

It's such a hard decision to turn your dog back to it's seller as you've already created a special relationship. If it's not that hard for you, I'd say keep your dog and give him the best life. Money is just something you'll be able to earn along the way.

Greenlady

I'm at home today so I've printed all facebook messages we have exhanged where she assures me the vet checked him and all was OK (after we brought him home and raised concerns over his lack of interest in food).

I don't believe they don't have any money either. I don't want any profit, just not go bankrupt over this - a situation we should have never have been handed, given that their vet had already spotted the murmur. Yes, we could hand him back (and they'd put him to sleep or medicate until his heart stops - he is already in heart failure- or we could do the same). Either way, we have no way out of this without great emotional cost.

I'm just waiting on insurance decision and then I'm getting a solicitor (I have received legal help from my work but I need to things to move once I get that decision).

catkins

Oh how sad. That's awful of the breeder and, as you say, she must have known about his heart.

I don't think I could hand him back to someone who is not going to try and help him in the slightest (may be a dog breeder but doesn't sound like a dog lover to me).

Definitely speak to a solicitor. Would you think about setting up a just giving page? I know someone who had an ill dog whose treatment cost over £10,000. She set one up and lots of people donated including myself.

bugslet

I'd not be able to hand him back either.

What is his prognosis and the costs? Can he be treated, or is it a case of making him comfortable for the time he is with you?

Red-Squirrel_2

Greenlady wrote: »

I'm at home today so I've printed all facebook messages we have exhanged where she assures me the vet checked him and all was OK (after we brought him home and raised concerns over his lack of interest in food).

I don't believe they don't have any money either. I don't want any profit, just not go bankrupt over this - a situation we should have never have been handed, given that their vet had already spotted the murmur. Yes, we could hand him back (and they'd put him to sleep or medicate until his heart stops - he is already in heart failure- or we could do the same). Either way, we have no way out of this without great emotional cost.

I'm just waiting on insurance decision and then I'm getting a solicitor (I have received legal help from my work but I need to things to move once I get that decision).

Have you got something in writing from the other vet confirming that they found the murmur (and had told the breeder about it) before she sold the puppy to you?

teddysmum

Your not wanting to give up a sick puppy, to which you would obviously have become attached, is the emotional blackmail used by puppy farmers, who also don't care about the dogs and can always breed more (unfortunately),but they don't even offer a refund.

bertiewhite

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

how many lab puppies does she sell every year? She's certainly not a responsible ethical breeder

teddysmum wrote: »

puppy farmers

They're bold statements, gained from just a couple of posts.

Greenlady wrote: »

I'm at home today so I've printed all facebook messages we have exhanged where she assures me the vet checked him and all was OK

The breeder says her vet checked the puppy and all was ok

Greenlady wrote: »

given that their vet had already spotted the murmur.

so how do you know this? Can you find out who the original vet was and ask them yourself?

TBagpuss

Very difficult situation. IS the dog registered with the kennel club? If so, then it might be worth contacting them, if only to let them know.

You can speak to a solicitor to see whether you would be entitled to claim back from the breeder the money you have spent so far, however I suspect that because they have offered to take back the puppy and refund you, you wouldn't be able to claim any future costs.