Jollytime Ragdolls Lynn Milstead Ragdoll Cat Died at 1 Year Old Genetic Issues Kannapolis North Carolina
On 11/16/12 I purchased a kitten from Lynn Milstead of Jollytime Ragdolls in Kannapolis, NC. He was born 8/2/12. His name was Maxwell and he was very loved. He died on 9/24/13 at only 13 months of multiple issues, none of them viral, bacterial, or related to or caused by parasites. All of these issues were likely genetic per his vets. Those issues were: Evan's Syndrome (immune-mediated hemolytic anemia and immune-mediated thrombocytopenia, his immune system was attacking his red blood cells and platelets), a perinephric pseudocyst, restrictive cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. He was seen by his vet multiple times for one week and was then hospitalized for one week. Despite doing every single thing that there was to do for him, we lost him after two weeks. I spent $7500 trying to save him.
During his illness, I contacted his breeder Lynn Milstead of Jollytime Ragdolls to ask her a few questions in an attempt to help diagnose him. She stated that "I still have all the same breeding cats, and I have no known issues with them, or I would not be breeding them and I have never been told a kitten or cat in the 7 years I've been breeding , had cancer." His parents were Fishstick of the Sea and Black Licorice Jellybean. After his death I contacted her twice to notify her of his death and to give her more information about what was wrong with him. She has not replied. He came with a 1 year genetic or congenital defect guarantee.
My family and I are devastated our loss of Maxwell. My poor children had to watch their young cat get progressively sicker, they had to watch as I syringe fed him, medicated him, slept on the floor with him. They had weeks of wondering if he would get better or die only to end up losing him. The roller coaster was a nightmare just awful for all of us, but especially for Maxwell who had to suffer so much.
Her lack of interest about what killed one of her kittens concerns me. The fact that she is still breeding the same cats concerns me. Her lack of compassion although not enforceable by contract law, concerns me. I do not want another family to go through what we have gone through and more than that, I do not want another cat to suffer the way that Maxwell did, and that is why I am posting this complaint.
Please do your research before purchasing a cat from this breeder! This is not the only complaint out there.
2 Updates & Rebuttals
Lynn
salisbury,North Carolina,
Mr. Thonen's kitten
#3REBUTTAL Owner of company
Mon, November 25, 2013
HI, I am Lynn Milstead of Jollytime Ragdolls. I am very sad too hear of Maxwell's passing. I was contacted by Mr. Thonen as to if my cats have Myeloma (Cancer) in their lines, as that is what he thought his cat had. Also he said the vet told him he could have a condition brought on by a flea or tick bite. I have no idea what caused his death, as I told No necrospy would be performed because maxwell did not have a rabies shot and he had bit a technician and had to be tested for rabies, which I don't understand why he would not have the vaccination, as you need it before you can have your cat spay/neutered and Maxwell was required to be neutered before the age of 7 months. My contract states a replacement kitten will be given if a cat dies before the age of 1 year and necropsy performed that states the kitten died of a genetic condition. None of that was done and even in Mr. thonen's complaint says kitten "LIKELY" died of those causes. Even thou my contract would not cover this case, I'd still be happy to give Mr. Thonen another kitten, but he emailed me saying that he does not want another kitten. Again, I'm sorry for Maxwell's passing and if you change your mind on another kitten, you are welcome to any kitten I have.
allie
Jamestown,North Carolina,
Lynn Milstead Jollytime Ragdolls NC Ragdoll Breeder Rebuttal
#3Author of original report
Mon, November 18, 2013
Lynn Milstead's response shows exactly how involved she has been with me and the circumstances surrounding Maxwell's death. I am not a man nor have I ever been and she doesn't even know which cat or owner she is talking about. If she can't even get my sex correct, how can anything she says be trusted? I just want to warn people to be very careful when selecting a breeder.