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01-07-2010, 04:35 PM | #1 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: south fl
Posts: 43
| 2 sick pups; Advice needed for new mom * I posted this in the general section and was inquiring about some health related response so some kind person suggested I post it here. On December 26th 2009, my boyfriend and I decided it was the right time for us to get a puppy. The humane society was out of the question for us, since we only rent our property and do not have a screened in backyard (learned from a previous dog rescue attempt). We unfortunately did not have alot of knowledge about where to get a dog and after a BRIEF online search, found Petland. We viewed their website and from first glance they seemed like a pretty reputable place with words like "USDA approved breeders" and "health warranty". A little puppy Yorkie caught our eye at a location near our house in South FL and we decided to go and check out the place. We got there and were put into a room with the Yorkie. We quickly fell inlove and were then told of a brother of the yorkie also available and he was put into the room with us as well. Well my heart sank, I did not want to separate these littermates. There was a size different of the two, the smaller one being priced at $2290! The larger one was priced at 1800$! We spent over a hour with the dogs and left the store to privately discuss. I felt inclined, thinking that no one else would purchase these guys together and my boyfriend and I had to do something. We had saved up some money and decided to use it towards getting these two guys a happy healthy home. While in the store, of course the Manager and other sales associate used their usual Petland pitch and us being blinded by puppylove fell right into it. We were originally told that both dogs were 100% healthy. Upon signing the paperwork, the Manager corrected herself stating that the smaller dog ( now named Bentley) had an open fontanelle and a luxating patellar grade 1. We were reassured it was nothing to be concerned about and there was really no better place to buy a dog from. When we were about to leave the store, the larger dog (now named Jack) started to cough, the Manager of course followed up with a poor excuse of the dog being stressed and it should probably go away on it's own. When we got the new pups back to our place, we noticed the cough getting progressively worse. The following day was Sunday so we had to wait until Monday for our new puppies to be seen by a vet. On Sunday, I had all these doubts about Petland's pledge to providing healthy dogs. I turned to my computer and decided to do a little research. And yes, I sat there stunned and horrified at what I found out. Petland=puppy mills to be frank about it. At first I was sickened to have contributed to such animal cruelty and then it hit me that I was happy that we got these guys in our lives and could provide a good home to them. **So a bit of a disclaimer that I am not writing this to be lectured about purchasing dogs from Petland or just petstores in general, so please don't reply to purely guilt me** After learning about Petland, I was skeptical to use the Vet they recommended. I tried to make a visit with a trusted family used vet but was unable to get an appointment. I found another Vet close to my home and brought them in on Monday (two days after getting them). I was told each one had an upper respiratory infection and was prescribed Claramox. I was only able to get a stool sample from Jack and awaited the results of that. The following day the vet called and said he tested positive for Giardia and recommended treatment for both dogs. Meanwhile I was able to get an appointment with my trusted vet for that day (Tuesday) and decided to get medicine there. UGH, well my vet was overbooked and I saw another vet who was helping out in the office for the day. I inquired about my Jack itching his ears and thought he may have an ear infection, the vet said his ears were just hairy and plucked out some hairs, said they looked clean & fine otherwise. I was given Panacur for both dogs for the Giardia. Within the next few days, I followed treatment and dosage according to the vets in hopes my pups would get better. Bentley's sneezing and coughing was getting worse, Jack as well. I called the vet and he actually told me vet bils will begin to pile up and recommended to me that I go to the vet Petland told me to be covered. So I did. With the holidays and such, I bought my dogs to the Petland warranty covered vet on Saturday (one week from purchase date, third vet visit). This vet, unlike the other two was actually very thorough to my delight. I went over their history with him and he examined each one. He found earmites in Jack (hence the scratching; that the other two vets failed to find). He also told me the original dosage of the Claramox was way too low and not even a good antibiotic that gave good results. He checked each dog's stool once again, telling me that not only did Jack test positive for Giardia but also coccidiosis. I was given a new antibiotic for both and a new dosage for the Claramox. Bentley did not have coccidiosis (at least it did not show up yet) and they only wanted to treat Jack. Jack was given his puppy vaccinations and thankfully did not have an adverse reaction. My poor babies are on a bunch of medication now. I fear these parasites will never go away, the possibility of them spreading them back and forth to one another. My boyfriend and I clean as much as possible. They for some reason love to try and play on their wee wee pads (as we are indoor training). I strongly try to discourage that behavior but they sure are thickheaded little guys. My boyfriend and I are also having stomach issues ourselves and hope we did not get giardia from them - and that it is just our nerves from worrying about our puppies. We are still trying to communicate with Petland to try and get some sort of refund from our sick dogs (no luck so far). I have inquired about getting in touch with their supposed breeder " Cindy Zeigenbein" and was told they could only provide an address and did not guarantee i would receive a response. I could go on and on, as there are other parts of my guys story but I think thats enough for now. Any advice on this matter would be greatly appreciated. **Update Thank you everyone for your kind words =) My babies are still pretty sick and dont seem to be responding well to medication. I just hope that time proves useful and they get better. My larger guy Jack has begun to vomit and drink/pee often with not much of an appetite. My little guy has an appetite but sneezes and coughs all the time. I just let them rest as much as possible and they do have their playful moments. I worry to death though. We are actually disputing the purchase amount of the puppies through Chase who originally told us to just leave the dogs outside the petstore (!!! never ever would I). After speaking with many people up and down the Petland chain, of course no one wants to take responsibility but they are soooo shady! I even spoke with their breeder who couldn't give me the names of their parents or birthdate, I had to provide her with the information and she never emailed me pictures of their parents as she promised. Sometimes I just need to vent, I dont understand how Petland can still exist. But I just want to put my effort in my puppies making a full recovery. |
Welcome Guest! | |
01-07-2010, 05:05 PM | #2 |
BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA
Posts: 11,073
| wow that is horrible ;( I am so sorry but i feel your pain as my dex is from a pet store but luckily other than pancreatitis has been pretty good. My backyard breeder dog dee dee has been the worst ok so it sounds like your one has kennel cough which is contagious and Giardia and coccidia are also contagious and i believe the ear mites are as well. The first thought was ear mites when you said ear itchy and cannot believe the vets did not catch that as those are pretty easy to catch also i never pluck the ears as it opens the pores and the only two times my boy had them done he got ear infections so will not do that. Usually they use metronidazole i believe for the giardia - there are alot of sharp people in dealing with giardia and coccidia - thank goodness have not dealt with any of above but i did deal with ear mites and they treated both my dogs as my dd came from breeder with them. Unfortunately you as i have learned a very valuable lesson here and it is not fun trust me. Hopefully this will be the last of health issues but unfortunately i have been dealing with them for years with mine - It sounds like this last vet is good though and cathcing everything. Clavamox is usually used for uti infections not the above. You are going to have your hands full for a little bit but it sounds like you are great people and you will get a ton of help here to get these boys back on track. Hang in there I recommend wee wee pads and when they poop toss out as i do not think you want them pooping in yard and reinfecting each other but others may better assist with this |
01-07-2010, 05:09 PM | #3 |
BANNED! Join Date: May 2007 Location: USA
Posts: 11,073
| here is some info on what you have going on Coccidia (Coccidiosis) in Dogs: A Cause of Diarrhea Giardia canis in Dogs Kennel Cough (Infectious Tracheobronchitis) in Dogs Ear Mites in Dogs |
01-07-2010, 05:16 PM | #4 |
YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Crofton, MD, USA
Posts: 1,522
| I'm surprised they didn't treat both dogs for the parasite since it is contagious!! I wonder if there is a way you could do a class action lawsuit because of all the horror stories from Petland. Good luck with your sick pups!!! As much trouble as you're going through, you got them out of a bad situation |
01-07-2010, 05:31 PM | #5 |
Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: VA
Posts: 8,040
| Sending get well wishes to your two precious furbabes! I know it is so hard, but hang in there....they really need you both and how very lucky they are you got them out of that horrid place!! Good Luck keep us posted on their progress!! Sending hugs....to your little ones.
__________________ Tena & Zhoie Sweet Little Miracle |
01-07-2010, 05:36 PM | #6 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Va. Beach, Va.
Posts: 192
| i wish i could offer some practical, useful information but i'm new here and still have a lot to learn myself. still, your concern for your little guys is so evident in your post that i wanted to just let you know that you and yours will be in my prayers.
__________________ Courtney, Lucky Mom to Lulu |
01-07-2010, 05:48 PM | #7 |
YT Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Novi, Mi
Posts: 305
| I can't really give you any advice, I am new to Yorkies as well. I just wanted to say, wow! And, I am so sorry you're going thru all of this. Those puppies are lucky, that you found them!
__________________ ~ Kristina ~ Brooklynn Grace |
01-07-2010, 06:14 PM | #8 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posts: 1,208
| You said they mentioned a health garentee? Are they not honoring that or have they worked something in there that let's them out of it? I hope they are better soon!
__________________ Please help save Lennox! http://www.savelennox.co.uk/ Let your voice be heard so Lennox can go home |
01-07-2010, 06:25 PM | #9 |
Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California
Posts: 14,776
| I'm so sorry your pups are dealing with some horrible issues. And I have a couple things that maybe you may do. Get your pups to another vet. One blarring thing struck out at me. Your pup being on two meds one for Coccidia, the other an antibiotic. If the medication that is being given for Coccidia is Albon...it cannot be mixed with any other medication....it can cause adverse reactions.
__________________ Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers |
01-07-2010, 06:36 PM | #10 |
♥ Luv Zoey & Austen! ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Posts: 2,015
| I am sorry to hear about your furbabies problems You have and will continue to receive some great advice from some very knowledgable people. Hope you see improvements soon!
__________________ Denise, Zoey, and Austen Dear Jazzy & Sasha forever in our hearts There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face. ~Ben Williams |
01-07-2010, 06:48 PM | #11 |
Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: California
Posts: 14,776
| Another thing that you may ask the vet about is Children's Benadryl for their upper respiritory infection, based on their weight it can ease their sneezing and coughing..... On the guarantee from Petland....not sure, but doesn't Florida have pet lemon laws. You might want to look into that. Just checked it out....Florida has one of the toughest pet lemon laws in the country http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/lemon_fl.html
__________________ Mardelin Yorkshire Terriers Last edited by Mardelin; 01-07-2010 at 06:50 PM. |
01-07-2010, 06:51 PM | #12 |
Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cambridgeshire, England
Posts: 1,208
| Oh they sure do, I forgot about that. I wonder if looking that up and just throwing that at them in a phone call might make them bend a little?
__________________ Please help save Lennox! http://www.savelennox.co.uk/ Let your voice be heard so Lennox can go home |
01-07-2010, 06:58 PM | #13 | |
Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: western KS
Posts: 1,320
| Quote:
I also tried to cancel the credit card payment (chase) was supposed to be cancelled until I found it on my statement- their (pet store) guarantee proteceted them. The only real advice I can give you here is to keep a good relationship with a vet that you trust and is familer with the small breed. Your new puppies will love you for it It may be a long road but just hang in there. | |
01-08-2010, 06:22 PM | #14 |
YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Vermont, USA
Posts: 1
| To dunnyyorkie - I'm so sorry to hear about the heartache and frustration you've gone through since the purchase of your two Yorkie pups. I work at the Humane Society of the U.S., and I urge you to visit our website www.stoppuppymills.org and click on the "Tell Us Your Story" tab on the lefthand side of the home page. It's stories from consumers like you that help build our case against puppy mills. I hope Bentley and Jack are doing better. Hang in there! |
01-09-2010, 02:12 PM | #15 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: south fl
Posts: 43
| I just wanted to let everyone know that my little guy Bentley died today at the Vet's office. He started not really eating last night and today when I brought him in, after a hour and a half in the waiting room, the doctor saw him and said he looked like he was in a hypoglemcia (sp?) condition. His gums were pale and they took him away. They came back and said they would suggest him being hospitalized and put on IVs. They recommended we leave jack too. So we did and received a call a hour later saying he died. they said they put him on a neubulizer treatment and he went into a hypoglemcia spell and died and they could not revive him. I don't understand really and am still in a state of grieving. I still cant believe this is real and I really want my little guy back. and I hope his brother is okay and i dunno how to help him even deal with the loss. We cant pick jack up till sunday or monday (in hopes he is okay!) and my heart aches. |
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