I've always been a little embarrassed to say that I fell for the puppy in the store window. I wanted a Yorkie so bad and took one look and was hooked. I'm not in the least ashamed to say that I love her so much and have always done all the very best for her. But when I got Roxie, that evening of having her home I noticed she had a slight cough. I called the puppy store and they said to come and get antibiotics from them. That she had been on them in the store as a preventative! (not sure that's wise either) But it was a Saturday evening and I had planned to take her to the vet on Monday before I even knew she was getting sick. The store recommended that all new owners have them vet checked within a week anyway. We had her on the medicine but come Monday that puppy was so sick and lethargic it scared the holly you know what out of me. There was no way I was taking her back to that puppy store. Got her to the vet. Something as small as a cough in a puppy that small can take a turn for the worst fast. We did everything the vet told us to do. Whenever I took a shower I had her in the bathroom with me so she could have the benefits of the steam. I tapped her sides gently as many times a day as the vet told me to and kept up with the meds. She got better but that cough lasted for a long time. I'd say a few months. I let the puppy store know about it. They had only been open a week when I got Roxie. They said they had climate control issues in the beginning so at night the air would shut off and in the mornings it would kick on and be freezing in there. Whatever! That puppy was sick and they should have known it and not let her be handled. I'm happy to say that she's healthy and full of zip now and I wouldn't trade her for anything. It was very scary for me thinking she'd die. It was also my first small dog and I was already nervous about doing everything right. I will never buy a puppy like that again and had never heard of the puppy mill thing with pet stores until after I got her. I feel like it was a high dollar rescue, because that's what we did was get her the heck out of there and nurse her into a healthy life. She can't bark now, she tries but it comes out like a whisper. The vet can't find a reason for it, they exrayed her and checked her out good but find nothing on why she can't bark. They did say when they spaed her that her trachea was so tiny they had to use the tiniest breathing tube on her. Sorry the post is so long, but wanted to share my experience with you all. I love this little baby so much and can't imagine my life without her. I will always have a Yorkie, they are wonderful dogs. My advice is to get that puppy the heck out of there and she will always know that you took good care of her and got her out of that bad situation. Good Luck and don't ever look back just push forward with it. Let others know of your experience to educate on these places. |