[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by kosoma

I guess I must have missed something......did the breeder know about the heart murmur prior to the sale? It sounded to me like the breeder just did not get the proper vet check. Yes, the breeder should have known better, but I don't see how this is a case for the Humane Society. Even if the breeder did know, how is a heart murmur related to the humane treatment of animals? Not trying to argue, I just don't understand.

I will say that if the guarantee only covers until the last set of shots, I don't think much of that guarantee. Definitely bring this up before then. The receipts should be plenty as far as getting the guarantee to stick; the health certificate really doesn't have anything to do with that, unless it's in some way worked into her guarantee. And if so, she would be in violation of her own contract for not getting it.

Regarding the health certificate, unless Florida law is different than Oklahoma (which I realize is possible) the health certificate is not required for the sale of a puppy. It is required to ship the puppy. I often make vet trips for my parents, who breed Yorkies, and if we are not shipping the puppy we don't pay extra for the health certificate. All the certificate says is that they are fit to travel and not have a contagious disease. We DO, however, get the vet check and a letter on vet stationary stating the results.

Regarding the heart murmur itself, I don't have a lot of experience with it....only one puppy ever had one, we kept him and he is now 9 months old and it has disappeared. It is my understanding that they do often go away as the pup grows up.

I will be thinking of you; I hope this is resolved well and soon. As some have pointed out, although it sounds bad now, it may never actually be that much of a problem.

Florida law requires a health certificate for puppies sold within the state:

828.29. Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale; health requirements; consumer guarantee

(1) (b) For each dog offered for sale within the state, the tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics required by this section must be administered by or under the direction of a veterinarian, licensed by the state and accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture, who issues the official certificate of veterinary inspection. The tests, vaccines, and anthelmintics must be administered before the dog is offered for sale in the state, unless the licensed, accredited veterinarian certifies on the official certificate of veterinary inspection that to inoculate or deworm the dog is not in the best medical interest of the dog, in which case the vaccine or anthelmintic may not be administered to that particular dog. Each dog must receive vaccines and anthelmintics against the following diseases and internal parasites: