Complaint Review: Barkworks

I purchased a King Charles Cavalier puppy from Barkworks in the Mission Viejo mall on August 18th. At the time of purchase I was not made aware until my credit had been run that the puppy in question had a cough, typically known as kennel cough. After the transaction was complete Jillian, the young woman who sold me the puppy, informed me that the puppy had been treated for the cough in the store. However, I felt it necessary to take the puppy to my own vet on Sunday, August 19th. Upon examination the vet pointed out that the puppy had an upper respiratory tract infection and it appeared as though treatment had started on July 3rd, which is a long time for a puppy to have this type of infection and if untreated the puppy can become very ill.

On August 27th (nine days after purchase) the dog again became very lethargic, vomited several times and was experiencing soft stool. I took the puppy to the vet and she found that the puppy had inflamed and tender bowel loops and generalized inflammation of the skin. A stool sample determined that the puppy was infected with high levels of Giardia and Coccidia, a parasite. We returned several hours later because he had become extremely weak and due to the gastrointestinal upset he had become inappetant and hypoglycemic. The vet determined that he was in critical condition and had to be hospitalized and administered intravenous dextrose for 24 hours in a 24 hour care facility in Mission Viejo.

On September 6, 2007 I wrote yet another letter, along with that communication I provided a letter written by the vet explaining the findings and the resulting treatment. At that time the vet determined that the puppy "was unhealthy and was sold to the owner with an upper respiratory tract infection and severe intestinal parasite infection and this necessitated extensive and expensive treatment."

On October 9, 2007 an email to rover@barkworks.com and have never heard back.

This is another story of a pet store not taking responsibility for selling ill puppies. I have had several conversations with friends and they know of people who have had the same experience with this pet store that I did, and some were not as lucky, their puppies died.



I am hoping, especially with the latest reporting on "puppy mill" puppies being sold that you might be able to help me. I appreciate in advance any help you can offer on this extremely frustrating problem.

Blue
Foothill Ranch, California
U.S.A.