Puppy is ill before I get it home from the breeder

[springer]

I am looknig for advice on my current situation. I found a "reputable" cavalier breeder on line. We spoke several times. I was sent testimonials (without names of clients) and saw pics of the puppy. I was sent heart and eye certs on the father. The puppy looked exactly like what I had hoped for and was also ready to go home the week that I could get time off of work to properly welcome it into the family.

I sent a deposit. The week before shipment date, I sent the balance. The day before the puppy was to be shipped, I had not heard from the breeder. I finally called them and was told that the pup had a mysterious illness and could not be shipped. I was told it was a bad reaction to vaccination. So, I spoke with my vet who said that the symptoms did not really match the story.

So I asked the breeder to take the puppy to the vet (dog had been sick for several days but had not seen vet). So again, no word from the breeder again. Finally I call and am told that the pup had elevated white blood cell count and is on antibiotics. Breeder says vet is over reacting. But tests are being sent to lab. Pup is still not ready to come to us.

At this point, I am very uncomfortable with this situation. I am afraid there is something wrong with the dog. Cavaliers are prone to health problems and I do not want to start with a sickly dog. Breeder will not return the money and says I paid for the dog and have to take it as is.

What should I do? Am I over reacting? If not, how do I get my money back?

Thanks for any advice!

[Claudia]

If this breeder is out of state, I would tend to think you may have been scammed. In searching for a dog, I found many and I say again many that were not on the up and up. I frankly would never buy a dog that has to be shipped. Even on Petfinder, I inquired about a dog in my town and received an email from Petfinder and found out he had multiple listing for dogs in different cities and states and was immediately banned. After having several bad experiences I looked and found a well known and good breeder in my own town. Be sure to check out the breeder and try to buy locally would be my advice. Please let me know if you get the dog or your money back. Good luck and welcome to the forum.

[Sarah]

I agree with Claudia. The first clue that it was a scam was when your vet said the symptoms didn't match the treatment. The 2nd clue was that the so called breeder said that the vet was over reacting. The breeder is not a vet and cannot make those calls.

If I were you, I would copy all the emails, and proof of payment, contact the police in the city where the breeder is and report them, seeking their help to recover your money. This is not a fool proof resolution, but it sure beats not doing anything. Make sure your tell the police you can fax all the appropriate correspondence to them.

Let us know how it's going.

[MaryAnn]

YES!!! I agree...definitely file a police report. For future reference... never purchase a puppy you have not actually seen in person. I'm curious why you sent the balance before you had the puppy in your possesion. A reputable breeder would only require a deposit and then the balance at the time you take possesion, as well as give you mounds of paper work along with a "Health Guarantee", and also require you take the puppy immediately to your chosen vet for a complete examanation and depending on the findings will take the puppy back if you decide not to keep him/her.

Sounds like that so called breeder is not running a Kennel, but a "Puppy Mill", and the authorites should be contacted. Something similar happened in our state and the Humane Society and local authorities shut them down, and the person was arrested and sent to trial. If this so called "breeder" even had any puppies for sale to begin with... this could very well be the case.

Please pursue this matter futher. I wish you nothing but the best.

[springer]

Thanks for the insight!

I do not think they are trying to scam me by not sending a dog at this point. We have been in contact several times over the past week or so. I think the puppy is truly sick. So now the problem is what to do next. The breeder is telling me that it was just a virus and the dog should be ready to go this week. However, the pup is only about 9-10 weeks old and has already had a course of antibiotitcs, IV fluids, and a blood trasnfusion!! Can a pup with a virus be anemic and need a transfusion but still be otherwise healthy?

The breeder tells me this is routine in a sick pup, but I have never heard of such things in such a young dog. I am afraid I would be getting a sickly pup and a lifetime of misery. Am I over reacting? Is this normal for a sick pup?

Thanks for any advice.

[Sarah]

Hi Springer. You say it's not a scam, but, you still have doubts. MaryAnne is correct in that this so called breeder could be a Puppy Mill. What kind of virus does this poor puppy have? Your puppy at this point from what I hear you saying is going to be 50-50. It's very possible that when this baby reaches you, it will be cured of what got him/her ill and that's the end of it, then again, maybe not. It's to late to be afraid, because without you calling the police to have them check up on this person, it sounds like you are stuck. You can make the best of it though. When your puppy comes home, the first thing you want to do is take him to the vet and get him/her checked out, get the puppy shots etc. Ask the vet about what type of food you should feed your new puppy and the things you can do to keep him/her healthy. then forget about the experience and love this puppy just as you have planned. Your question as to whether the puppy can be ok after all that they say has been done? The answer is yes
Is this treatment normal? Depends on whats wrong with puppy. This breeder never gave you a diagnosis. Who is the Vet that is treating this puppy? Make sure you get a name and phone number, for nothing else but to give it to your vet, in case your vet wants or needs to talk to them. It would be very smart of you to ask this breeder to send you all medical papers from the vet, so your vet can have them on file.

Let us know how it's going...and let us know when you get this puppy

[springer]

OK. Brief update:
Spoke with breeders vet pup definitely has encephalitozoon cuniculi which I gather is a parasite usually found in rabbits, rare in dogs. From what I have found, there are case reports of puppy death from it and that adult asymptomatic dogs test positve for exposure. Breeders vet said the pup had been quite ill and this it was good that I had insisted that pup went to vet. He was surprised that it lived. (this is not a comforting comment). Finally got to speak with my vet!! She and breeders vet agree that there is little info on this infection in puppies (that live) and long term effects are uncertain. Maybe none or maybe something neuro or kidney. Breeder insists that they are over reacting. Pup is on febendazol. Breeder says she is 100% back to normal. Vet has not seen her yet (tommoroww appt).
To me, there are a lot of big red flags here. Thinking I should opt out asap. Do you think I am over reacting? Any thoughts are appreciated.

Thanks

[MaryAnn]

Is the breeder offering you a Health Guarantee? If not....red flag...for sure.

[springer]

Yes there is a guarantee if the dog dies or gets very sick from genetic disease they will replace it with another pup. But ofcourse, if we have the pup we will do whatever it takes to get it better. It would be a member of the family and we could not just send it back.
I am concerned about this parasite. In rabbits, it is difficult to eradicate. It can spread to people and other dogs. Even if the vet and breeder say its clear, what if they are wrong? I have to kids and another dog at home....
I know it sounds like I should just walk away, but even just through the videos and pics of the pup, I have already found a place for it in my heart. Ofcourse my head is telling me....walk away...fast.

Thanks to those who are replying. Just knowing someone is out there listening really helps.

[MaryAnn]

Glad we are here for you. I am terribly sorry to hear what you are going through. I understand you are attached to the little guy, as I would be as well.

When you say the vet and breeder says it's clear....are you referring to the breeder's vet? I would seek a 2nd opinion from a vet who doesn't know either one of them and can be objective.

I wish you and your family nothing but the best, and pray that all works out for you.