R.I.P. Pharrell
 

I have finally got up enough courage to repeat the story of my 6 month old puppy's death.
On 5/23/12 I made a post about Pharrell having his neutering on 5/24/12 and what I needed to do to make him comfortable because I was nervous. On 5/24 I got him all ready and we were at the vet by 812am. I told my little baby goodbye and i'll see him later. Aroung 12pm my girlfriend and I were making lunch and joking about how Pharrell was gonna find a way to comtinue to lick himself even with the little cone on his head, we were ready to go get him. At 1232pm my phone rang and it was the vet, my girlfriend answered the phone. All I heard was "I don't want to hear this! Talk to the other owner, I don't believe this!". I got the phone and the vet said "Um... Pharrell went into cardiac arrest at the end of the surgery, we tried to bring him back but he didnt make it....i'm sorry". I felt like dying, all I could think was "What did I do!! Did I just walk my puppy into his death!!" We hopped in the car and drove 7 mins to the vet to see what happen, she said while she was closing him up he got short of breath the pulled the tube he was on and began mouth to mouth. They gave hime 2 shots to jump start his heart but that didn't work either. We were DEVESTATED, I cried all day and the next, she gave us back his collars and said she would pay for the autopsy to be done by another doctor and update us on the status. 5/27 I got a call from the vet they got the initial result and sent off more tissue for testing, They found he had a liver shunt and an enlarged kidney. We have NEVER heard of any of those things but I felt we should have known everything.

I feel HORRIBLE, if I would have known these thing he wouldnt be dead right now. I feel like I don't deserve another pet of any kind because I let him down terribly. I hated packing up all his things but I couldn't bear looking at them.

We got a lawyer not for the vet but for the breeder. We have a 1 year warrenty that states that if dog has a conginital problem return the dog and they will s nother one. But our puppy died, so now what? And why woud we another puppy from you that could possible have the same problems? After reading all the stories about backyard breeders I know think these people were byb's. Their house was a mess and smelled horrible and so did our puppy but I bought him anyway(I know bad me). We juat want to make sure we get justice for what happened to us and Pharrell and prevent it from happening to anyone else.

I am just so sorry to hear about this. Trying to be a responsible pet owner, you did what you thought was right in having him neutered & then this horror happens. I know vets get accused of being money hungry for suggesting a lot of tests before surgery & I think that they often don't get all the tests they would like due to that, especially when there isn't a history that would indicate the possibility of anything that would logically call for additional testing. And then something like this happens to a little dog like Pharrell & logic be darned - it is so heartbreaking. When I hear of something like this, I guess owners & vets are going to have to start insisting on more tests for all dogs before anesthesia & surgery.

I cannot imagine how hard this is for you. I've been haunted by this story since I read it on your other thread and thinking about you & little Pharrell. Pharrells Mom, please know I am praying that someday you can find some peace again. You did your best with the knowledge you had. That's all anybody can do. Bless your sweet heart - mine is breaking for you.

Pharrell, rest in peace, sweet boy.

Thank you so much, I didnt think it would hurt so bad or haunt me. We are trying to get through this and figure out what really caused the problems. Thanks for all the support

I am so sorry about your baby. Its not your fault. Personally, I am for testing before surgery. I didn't with one of ours because she had a complete physical and updated shots the week before. She almost bled to death and thats when we found out what was causing it. She had a blood disorder and her blood would not clot and we almost lost her. I said I would never, ever, turn down the testing again. I felt guilty she went through that and at the same time, I realize now it wasn't I think the vet should require it before surgery. RIP little baby. Try not to blame yourself.

The vet did the normal blood testing and he was fine. She said testing a puppies liver and kidneys arent done because normally they dont have problems with those organs until they are older. I ignored all the signs for LS because i thought he just didnt eat alot or he was just tired all the time. I never knew LS existed until she told me he had it and we researched it now i feel really bad. I loved him SO much, it just hurts us really bad. My girlfriend wondered around target for 3 hrs cause she couldnt stop thinking about him.

So sorry to read about the loss of your Pharrell. Another poor baby taken to soon. Don't blame your self because you didn't know about the L. shunt. Keeping you in my prayer's. Rest In Peace Little Pharrell. Keep us posted how you make out with that breeder. Hopefully they have to pay all vet bill's. And give you the price of the puppy back.:rbyorkie:.

My heart is sad for you and your girlfriend. I am so sorry for your loss. I pray you can find peace and comfort. He loved you and he wouldn't want you to feel bad. He sounds like he was a very special little boy. Rest in peace, little one.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Not your fault in any way, please do not blame yourself. RIP Pharrell.

RIP Pharrell, God bless your parents..

I am so sorry for your loss. Please don't blame yourself you loved him and it's nothing you did wrong. I will pray for you and am sure he is smiling down on you both.

P. S. Somehow I missed your line about not deserving another pet but let me remind you of the attitude Pharrell would have about this. Dogs are the most forgiving, "live in the moment" beings on the planet. Your little Pharrell, if he could talk, would be the first to step up & tell one & all that his little family should have another pet when ready emotionally. He would want you to be happy. Dogs want everybody happy always. You do deserve another pet. You've taught us all a valuable lesson about what to insist on ourselves B4 anesthesia/surgery by courageously posting Pharrell's painful story & that alone has done a huge service to all dogs & their owners! Pharrell's story will save the lives of other dogs!

I'm so very sorry. Rest in Peace, Pharrell.

Dear God! My heart is breaking for you...you did what a responsible owner is suppossed to do, do NOT blame yourself. It will take time and your heart will heal...in time you may want another furbaby, not to replace Pharrell, but to love him as much as you loved Pharrell. The heart is a wonderful thing it expands to allow us to love again. R.I.P. Pharrell.

I became "attached" to you and your baby boy because of his precious little name....I had never heard that before and it really stuck with me. Then I followed any time you posted anything, and I was just matter of factly following the neutering because it is such a simple procedure....you just dont EXPECT problems.....and then I read your TWO words update....."he died"...and I was absolutely horrified and stunned....shocked....I know what I experienced, I can only imagine how you were affected. I am sooo sorry for your loss of little Pharrell. Of course, you had absolutely no hand in what happened to that baby, please do not feel guilty over any aspect of what happened. We learn from experiences, good and bad. These lessons learned, will add to your knowledge base of steps to take to enhance safety in the future. It is usually the unexpected that jumps up and bites us...like in Pharrells case. To keep that from ever happening to you again, insist on the blood work prior to surgery that can detect any possible genetic issues going on....IV access before, during and AFTER surgery is important, in case of emergency...also "tanks up' the baby with fluids as well as keeps sugar levels up....gas anesthesia only, no IV anesthesia...... controlled IV infusion rates via infusion pumps to prevent fluid overload....all things I absolutely insist on, due to lessons I personally have learned over the last 35+ years....most lessons learned at the expense of some sweet angel that now waits at Rainbow Bridge, like your precious little Pharrell....

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Absolutely!!! Lessons learned!!! Pharrell has touched SO MANY people and has made the importance of pre-op testing, so valuable, even if it seems like an issue that "never happens" in this age group, etc...... And you will one day soon, be able to open up your heart to another little soul...just like Pharrell would want you to....

Thank you I will print this out and keep it for record just in case I have this situation again.

oh my I am just reading this for the first time, I am so very sorry for your loss, I can't imagine what you are going through. However rest assured you did nothing wrong and in fact did more than I had in the past. I used to think that having blood work prior to surgery especially in puppies was a way the vet earned extra money. With Lola since I don't know much about her background, I decided not to be cheap, and asked for a full blood work prior to her spaying, I wanted a base line of her functions for future reference, now based on what you said I am am wondering if the liver and kidney functions were tested. I just repeated her blood work at her second year check up for this very reason. I will be calling my vet in the morning to go over all the details more more carefully. You also bring up another good point, these health guarantees never make sense to me, if you get a puppy with a problem like liver shunt who wants a puppy from that same breeder again, and what if they are a small breeder and don't often have litters, then what do you do. I feel for you and am so sorry, and thank you so much that in your grief you told us your story.

Having a puppy with a liver shunt is NOT indicitive of a bad breeder....WHAT THAT BREEDER DOES ABOUT THE ISSUE IS WHAT DETERMINES THE ETHICS, INTEGRITY, AND REPUTATION OF THAT BREEDER. Liver shunts can rear up in ANY line, from ANY breeder. It is imperative the breeder is contacted anytime a puppy has been diagnosed with a liver shunt. That is how you find out you have this issue showing up in your breeding program. Just because it shows up in ONE breeding pair, in ONE puppy, in ONE litter, does not mean every puppy this breeder produces, will be affected with liver shunts. If there was a contract signed that specifically states you will not get a refund, but a replacement puppy, that in itself is not a miscarriage of justice....but the breeder should at the very least, be understanding of the fears these buyers have and go the extra mile to assure them the replacement puppy is NOT affected with the same condition....pay for testing on the new puppy to assure them the new pup does not also have a shunt.

I completely agree with you I have read up on LS since this has happened. Our issue is the enlarged kidney we dont know anything about and we are not sure if it will b passed pn. We already discussed if they are willing to give a replacement we will take it ONLY if theu pay for testing that could rule out this issue. Even if they can't we will have our vet tesr the puppy fully to make sure we actually have a healthy puppy.

A reputable breeder will be just as upset over this course of events and outcome with this baby, as you are. This baby had genetic issues and they should stand by you and do everything they can to make this right for you. I personally think they should pay for testing....in my opinion, you just can NOT sell another puppy from that same breeding pair or from Pharrell's litter, knowing Pharrell had genetic issues, without having the other babies tested....regardless of who you sell the babies to. This is every bit as much for the breeder's peace of mind, as it is for the buyer......not to mention, the babies!

i am so sorry for you loss of pharrell. so tragic and please dont blame yourself or feel responsible.. rip pharrell.

Key word is reputable...What if this breeder is already an unethical breeder or byb (unbeknownst to the buyer)? What are the chances that they won't breed this pair again? Is there anything at all that can be done to ensure that they stop breeding this pair? Wouldn't a reputable breeder feel so inclined to give a total refund if they knew how uncomfortable someone is about getting another pup from them? I see so many contracts that say "no refunds" and with clauses that seem so difficult to adhere to to get another pup and I wonder what kind of ethical business practice is that?

Thanks for helping to educate us all!

btw, I love the video Pharrell surely was a special little guy! I'm so glad you are concentrating on the good memories to see you through. God Bless.

My thoughts and prayers are with you. May you rest in peace sweet baby boy.

Thanks for the support everyone

I can't speak for other breeders....even an ethical breeder, who is more likely to be strapped for cash because she spares no expense to give the best care possible for her puppies) may not be able to (financially) refund the full price of the puppy. There are different angles to look at all this...I personally would refund. I would explane to the buyer why another baby probably may not have this issue, but in the end, I would refund, because I can completely understand the fear the buyer would have. You just dont want that buyer to hit the streets, uninformed, telling everyone you sell "sick puppies with liver shunts", so you have to try to help educate them on the problem and how it occurs, and what YOU, as a reputable breeder, do now that you know you have this issue cropping up in a breeding pair. To answer your question: There is nothing that can be done to ensure they dont continue to breed that pair again. Hopefully, being "reputable" actually means something to the breeder, and they will act accordingly. Contracts for puppies are just like a contract for anything else. Buyers should look over the contract very carefully, understand completely what it says, be given the chance to discuss the contract, ask questions, ask if there are exceptions, make sure at the signing of the contract, ANY deviations from what is written, is added and ititialled by BOTH buyer and seller, as well as any ommissions or scratched out words or lines....If the contract is not to a buyers liking, and the breeder is absolutely non negotiable in any areas of concern, move on to another breeder. People just dont realize the importance of "buying your breeder first" and the perfect relationship and puppy will come! You have to have a relationship with that breeder....mutual trust and respect.....if you can not establish a relationship that "feels right" with the breeder, that is one of those red flags from the gut. I have had only one person tell me, "Jeeze, I just want to buy a puppy, I dont want to marry into your family"! I track my babies the rest of their lives, therefore, if you do not think you want to have me hovering around in the background, make us both happy and dont buy from me!