Chien Et Chat sold up sick puppy and refuses to refund or exchange Brea California
We bought a pomeranian puppy from this pet store 2 nights ago. I called the store an hour after we brought it home and was concerned about the puppy sneezing, coughing, and having diarrhea. They said it was just stress from a new environment.
The next day the dog would not eat, kept coughing and sneezing and was coughing like it was choking. We took it to a vet and they told us that the dog had blood in its feces, it had inflammation of tonsils, swollen tonsils, and coccidiosis. When I called the store to remedy this problem, the manager hung up on me. When my daughter called back, she said, "just bring the dog back and I will give you store credit, I really dont want to deal with this." Then when my daughter took the dog down, she said that she received a phone call from the owner to not authorize a store credit.
I finally called their other store and the owner called me back. He said that all these symptoms are within normal range for a new puppy and wouldnt discuss refunding our money. He got irate when I asked him if he bought his puppies from a puppy mill. He claims that he raises all the pets in his pet stores. He not only dupes us with a sick dog, now he insults our intelligence expecting us to believe that he raises all the dogs in his store. How bizarre.
The puppy is keeping us up all night and it is still not eating and has all the same symptoms. When I talked to the manager, she told me that their policy does not cover dogs that have parasites.
This dog was ill when we bought it and I cant afford to pay more money to repair the damage they caused. The dog cost us $1200.00. Pls help us. My daughter is heart broken and we are already exhausted from this scenario. She was saving a long time to buy a special dog. I simply dont have the funds to correct something they are initially responsible for and in the meantime the poor puppy is suffering. We dont know what to do.
Dimitra
Fullerton, California
U.S.A.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Ann
Taylors,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Puppy Mill/Pet Store Connection
#3Consumer Suggestion
Fri, February 11, 2005
I am really sorry about your puppy experience. I am a Pomeranian breeder and I can tell you that responsible breeders DO NOT sell their puppies through pet stores. That is most likely why this guy told you he raises his own. He probably does... But he is most likely a puppy mill himself!
Coccidosis is very common in kennels with nasty, filthy conditions, though it can happen even in a kennel that attempts to stay clean. It is a parasite that is shed and picked up through feces. It is VITAL that this puppy be taken care of immediately.
The vet should have given the puppy a sulphur based medication (most likely Albon... a yellowish looking liquid) to take care of the coccidia.
Some slight diarrhea is common with the stress of a transition. Bloody diarrhea is NOT. Wheezing, coughing & sneezing are NOT common problems with this breed. But getting kennel cough and sicknesses in a pet store atmosphere IS common, sadly. This puppy needs help.
Not eating, especially in small breed puppies, can quickly lead to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). If this happens, the puppy could easily have seizures, or go into a coma. That puppy NEEDS TO EAT! If he is too sick to eat, then he MUST be taken to an emergency veterinarian that can give him fluids intravenously until he is strong enough.
Unfortunately, most pet stores go around looking for irresponsible breeders (no one in their right mind would ever ADMIT to being a puppy mill) to buy puppies from cheaply. They require that the puppies be sent to the pet store and taken away from their mother WAY too early (at 5 weeks old or so) so that the puppies are in the pet store window during the cutest stage of puppyhood.
This is terrible for the puppy, and terrible for future owners because the puppy doesn't learn vital lessons from the mother that he NEEDS to learn. Also, pups in a pet store are vulnerable to ALL KINDS of sicknesses and diseases... more so than pups lovingly raised with a responsible breeder.
For future reference, NEVER buy an animal from a pet store and THOROUGHLY question any breeder that you buy from. Go to the breeder's kennel and see the parents of the puppy and the condition in which the puppy was born.
This doesn't really help you, though, since the mistake was already made and you're stuck with this sick puppy. PLEASE don't send that poor thing back to that pet store. If they didn't care to take care of him before, they certainly won't now.
I don't mean to sound like I'm fussing, but anytime you purchase an animal, the cost doesn't end there. Veterinary care is crutial for the life of the dog. Treatment for coccidiosis and de-worming isn't terribly expensive. Explain to your vet the need for treatment and your financial situation. Perhaps they can work out a payment plan.
Most breeders will offer health contracts and will be willing to stand behind the health of the pups they sell. If they don't, don't get a pup from them! Pet stores are interested in making a profit first and foremost.
In short, get that puppy healthy QUICK, and never ever again buy an animal from a pet store.
Altoria
APO,New York,
U.S.A.
Help For The Sick Puppy
#3Consumer Suggestion
Thu, February 10, 2005
I am not qualified to deal with the Pet Company situation but I'd advise you that for future purposes you might want to deal with a breeder/trainer - the puppies are in a healthier environment and they should be getting potty trained. Most pet stores don't even try to potty train the dog. It seems so inhumane. I am not sure if your puppy has cocidea...If so, the remedy is fairly inexpensive and can go away. Just look up the above word on google and it will take you to a few home remedies.
Also, another idea would be to look for a PETSMART in your local community. They have a wonderful "Pet Insurance" program like health insurance for adults at their veterinary clinics. The cost is cheaper and the services are great. They even have emergency care. Downside is that you have to sign a contract for a year. If you have a problem with installment payments, maybe the local vet is the best caretaker.
So you'll know, cocidea is not a disease...it'll go away with treatment. the puppy has ingested a flea...Not far fetched, my puppy got it after I'd gotten him home...They lick on everything. The wheezing - it may be common to his breed. Also his tonsils might go down once the infection ceases. My recommendation - treat the cocidea first.
Good Luck!