Bought a puppy that is life threateningly ill

[jezzaron]

Here goes: I bought a cavachon puppy off a registered breeder online a week ago, the breeder seemed very genuine, we had lots of phone conversations etc.. anyway, i picked up the pup from the breeders house along with some other bits for the pup including paperwork.

 

When i got the pup it had already had its first vaccination and been checked over by a vet, when i took the pup to have its 2nd vaccination 2 days ago my vet told me my pup has a grade 5 and close to grade 6 heart murmur now grade 6 is the worst it gets! and my puppy unfortunately wont live very long my vet also advised it should of been picked up by the vet when giving the first vaccination.

 

 

I have been referred to a cardiologist for tests/scans to determine the exact cause which can cost me around £800 and to operate will cost in the thousands, but i am very attached to the puppy already! having spoken to the insurance they are reluctant to pay out as they claim it must have been spotted at the first vaccination and its classed as a pr existing condition!.

 

Is there anything i can do about being sold this puppy? i have been in touch with the breeder who refused to give us her vets details and now she has disconnected her phone and her neighbors have said they haven't seen her in a few days, its really frustrating and i really don't know what to do!!

Edited October 8, 2013 by citizenB

[Janie1962]

So sorry to hear about your poor pup.........you've obviously been scammed by a puppy farmer.

 

The pup should have the vet's name on the vaccination certificate you received at the time you collected the dog - if there's no certificate, how do you know it's been vaccinated? Dogs with heart murmers can go on to lead full lives, given good care, careful diet & meds. If you explain the circumstances to the insurance company they may offer some sort of arrangement - it's worth a try.

 

Perhaps Trading Standards could help? There could be other complaints against this vile woman; maybe they can track her down.

 

Hope all goes well for your new addition.

[jezzaron]

So sorry to hear about your poor pup.........you've obviously been ****med by a puppy farmer.

 

The pup should have the vet's name on the vaccination certificate you received at the time you collected the dog - if there's no certificate, how do you know it's been vaccinated? Dogs with heart murmers can go on to lead full lives, given good care, careful diet & meds. If you explain the circumstances to the insurance company they may offer some sort of arrangement - it's worth a try.

 

Perhaps Trading Standards could help? There could be other complaints against this vile woman; maybe they can track her down.

 

Hope all goes well for your new addition.

 

Thanks for your response, the vaccination card has no name on it, having taken it to my vet this morning again my vet advised that the card is a home made one and not one of a serious vet, furthermore he thinks it looks similar to a breeder he has come across called lilly cooper who apparently is in process of a court case for animal cruelty. .. but the kennel registration authority say they are adamant it is a legit breeder and they have managed to get in contact with breeders husband but apparently they are in Germany at the moment so cant get hold of us until they are back on the 19th of the month!

[Janie1962]

I've just googled her name - OMG.

 

https://www.causes.com/actions/1751590-say-no-to-stockport-back-street-puppy-boutique

 

Just because they're a registered breeder, it's no guarantee they're humane - I take it this 'lady' is not Lilly Cooper? What are you going to do?

[jezzaron]

Thought i would update you on what has happened, so the kennel Register isn't a legit company, RSPCA advised they try to make them self look like kennel club which is the legitimate company and they do no checks to see if a breeder is decent or not.

The breeder has disappeared and apparently moved abroad somewhere due to police investigations.

Either way the insurance agreed to pay out for an operation procedure - and the operation was successful so Charlie will live to see a full life

[Desperate Daniella]

Hi jezzaron,

 

I have only just seen your thread, and the happy outcome.

 

Charlie was blessed that you became his owner and cared enough to get him the right treatment.

 

What the so-called breeder did was downright wicked and I hope she is caught if she returns to this country and prosecuted. The very fact that she falsified a vaccination document means she is guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation.

 

I hope you and Charlie have a very happy life together.

 

DDx

[Surfer01]

We have a Yorkshire terrier with the same issue, but it was one we bred and kept. The problem never became apparent until she was about 10 years old. She was from the last litter we bred and we only had about one litter a year. We suspect that a puppy we bought from a breeder may have the same issue as he has a rasping type of cough occasionally but it is too early to tell at the moment.

[jackieandwayne]

Lets hope she encounters a rabid dog with supersized teeth whilst abroad. What goes around comes around. Very pleased Charlie will be fine.

[Desperate Daniella]

By the way, there is also this Petition to sign:

 

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/49528

 

which says that puppy sales should be banned unless the mother is present.

[hightail]

 

says that puppy sales should be banned unless the mother is present.

Love the theory. How can an unwary buyer be sure any dog they see is the mother? These blasted importers, puppy farmers and dealers seem to find a way round everything. I don't breed dogs, I breed cats. I go through all the paperwork with potential buyers and to be honest they aren't interested. I have to all but tie them down and insist they check through it all with me. I insist on at least two visits, one to view/book a kitten and one to collect no matter how far away they live. I give them my vet as a reference - not a one has ever checked. I get an amazing number of people wanting to send me a deposit to secure a kitten before they've even checked I really exist. Sometimes I wonder why I bother.

[renegadeimp]

Love the theory. How can an unwary buyer be sure any dog they see is the mother? These blasted importers, puppy farmers and dealers seem to find a way round everything. I don't breed dogs, I breed cats. I go through all the paperwork with potential buyers and to be honest they aren't interested. I have to all but tie them down and insist they check through it all with me. I insist on at least two visits, one to view/book a kitten and one to collect no matter how far away they live. I give them my vet as a reference - not a one has ever checked. I get an amazing number of people wanting to send me a deposit to secure a kitten before they've even checked I really exist. Sometimes I wonder why I bother.

 

Theyre the type of people you should refuse to sell to.

[rebel11]

Here's some info, hopefully helpful, http://paag.org.uk/buying-a-pet/report/

[hightail]

 

Theyre the type of people you should refuse to sell to.

Trust me, potential buyers have to clear many hurdles before they get one of my precious kittens. I'd expect them to be just as fierce with me. If I'd want to give out one message it's 'don't be afraid to question and check before you buy'. No good breeder will ever object to a buyer having done their research and asking loads of questions. If anything, as enthusiasts we'll be prepared to talk (bore) about our chosen breed for hours We know other breeders, we can talk about lineage (oh boy can we!), our animals are obviously beloved pets we happen to breed from so we discuss them as individual personalities. Visit and be prepared to walk away - expect to walk away. Good breeders aren't retail outlets.

[renegadeimp]

[Desperate Daniella]

Love the theory. How can an unwary buyer be sure any dog they see is the mother? These blasted importers, puppy farmers and dealers seem to find a way round everything. I don't breed dogs, I breed cats. I go through all the paperwork with potential buyers and to be honest they aren't interested. I have to all but tie them down and insist they check through it all with me. I insist on at least two visits, one to view/book a kitten and one to collect no matter how far away they live. I give them my vet as a reference - not a one has ever checked. I get an amazing number of people wanting to send me a deposit to secure a kitten before they've even checked I really exist. Sometimes I wonder why I bother.

 

But surely worth a signature? The petition is just short of 100,000 and if gets there it can be considered for a backbench debate so would get some publicity. Anything that might deter bad breeders could help just a little.

 

I know the buyers can't "know" it's the mother but they might get some kind of clue if mother and puppies seem close.

[renegadeimp]

Key word being considered. The petitions are very rarely ever sent for an actual debate.

[Desperate Daniella]

I know, but even if gets some publicity in the papers and makes one or two buyers think twice when they are choosing a breeder then it can only be a good thing

[hightail]

 

makes one or two buyers think twice

Anything which makes a buyer think twice can only be a good thing. Problem is there's already plenty of advice out there and somehow it still isn't getting through. The other side of that coin is that the con artists always talk a good story so I can see why buyers are deceived. Most of the advice does centre on the puppy or kitten being bought whereas it really should be the LAST thing a buyer is interested in. The mum being there isn't necessarily an indication of a caring breeder but admittedly it would help to be able to judge the relationship between the mum and the breeder. That's what would be important to me, not just her physical presence.

Edited November 21, 2013 by hightail