Hearbroken, Devastated, Scared - New Puppy

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Britster

Wow! I am so so so sorry to hear about Max. I hope all is well and it is NOT a liver shunt. I can't even imagine what you are going through right now.

I did a quick search and came up with these:
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/bre...rol-woods.html
http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...ena-vista.html

This is not my breeder.

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

How long will it take to get the initial blood work back? I hate seeing you worry.

tomorrow 9am.

Originally Posted by kjc

It also says this on their webpage:

Dogs must be tested for heartworm prior to use. In a small percentage of treated dogs, digestive, neurologic and skin side effects may occur. Please see full product insert for more information.

Weakness in hindlegs is not usually a symptom of LS, nor is that type of head movement... Call the vet asap!!

He doesn't have weakness in his hind legs. The vet says they give sentinel to every dog and he has never heard of this side effect. I read the same as you though.

[rik20101]

I know this is all so frustrating. For now all I can say is I am so sorry you are going through this and I hope the blood results show something easier to treat than LS.

[Roccosmommy]

Sooo sorry to read about what you're going through. Sending prayers for you that your little one turns out to be okay.

[Ladymom]

So Max didn't have a bile acids test before you got him?

If the breeder will take him back if he has a shunt, that's what I would do if she won't pay for the surgery. He is her responsibility, not yours, if he has a congenital condition. I know that sounds hard hearted, but why should you be expected to pay thousands of dollars in vet bills on a puppy you have only had for five days?

Since healthy parents can still produce a shunt dog, his littermates might be fine. As long as you have a bile acids test done before, it would be probably safe to bring a replacement home in this case.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Ladymom

So Max didn't have a bile acids test before you got him?

If the breeder will take him back if he has a shunt, that's what I would do if she won't pay for the surgery. He is her responsibility, not yours, if he has a congenital condition. I know that sounds hard hearted, but why should you be expected to pay thousands of dollars in vet bills on a puppy you have only had for five days?

Since healthy parents can still produce a shunt dog, his littermates might be fine. As long as you have a bile acids test done before, it would be probably safe to bring a replacement home in this case.

no, i guess Max did not have bile acid tests. I'm 90% sure the breeder will not take him back. She said she doesn't know what to do with a Liver Shunt puppy. I agree with you on the vet bills. I just don't know if I even want another puppy at this point. We love Max so much and Cooper loves him as well that I can't imagine replacing him.

[smartpuppiepets]

To The OP :
If you only have had the puppy for 5 days i would consider working something out with the breeder ASAP . For the consciousness and the dilemma of if she will put the puppy down or not, at this point this is the breeder dilemma, not yours to deal with it.
Yes, you may better off considering an exchange for the same litter while you have the opportunity than risk getting stuck with something that is not your responsibility to deal with. Ask your vet to write a letter right away, deeming the puppy "unfit" for a sale and you will be legally covered if the LS diagnose comes to be true as it is a life threatening condition.
The only thing you need to figure out right now is if this may be possibly a reaction to the Sentinel , than you would be unfair to the breeder , since it is too much of a coincidence that the puppy was fine until you gave him this and next day he shows up with this symptom. Your problem made me realize why some breeders will void any and all guarantees on any puppy given anything withing the first 10 days of arrival to new home.
Anyways, i hope it is good news for both of you and the breeder as well. It sounds like an accident, nothing irresponsibly caused .
But no matter what it is, if it is a condition the puppy has been born with, you are not responsible having the puppy only for 5 days .
But if it a sentinel reaction i am sure you will do the right thing and take full responsibility for it .
Blessings.
XOXO

[cathys]

I'm so sorry you are having to deal with this. I hope it is nothing to serious. I feel so bad for you, I can tell how frightened you are. I will keep your little man in my prayers.

[kjc]

These are not Liver Shunt symptoms... LS is head pressing, walking into walls, and flat-out fall on the floor type seizures from toxins in the blood going to the brain.... this looks more progressive toxicity... from the Sentinel.... Treat him for that ... see if he improves... I am 99% sure this is not LS. He is big, no symptoms after he eats (within 30 minutes of eating) these are the classic LS symptoms in a puppy.

Yorkies can be sensitive to anything esp fles tick HW products... please act quickly...

[gemy]

Originally Posted by smartpuppiepets

To The OP :
If you only have had the puppy for 5 days i would consider working something out with the breeder ASAP . For the consciousness and the dilemma of if she will put the puppy down or not, at this point this is the breeder dilemma, not yours to deal with it.
Yes, you may better off considering an exchange for the same litter while you have the opportunity than risk getting stuck with something that is not your responsibility to deal with. Ask your vet to write a letter right away, deeming the puppy "unfit" for a sale and you will be legally covered if the LS diagnose comes to be true as it is a life threatening condition.
The only thing you need to figure out right now is if this may be possibly a reaction to the Sentinel , than you would be unfair to the breeder , since it is too much of a coincidence that the puppy was fine until you gave him this and next day he shows up with this symptom. Your problem made me realize why some breeders will void any and all guarantees on any puppy given anything withing the first 10 days of arrival to new home.
Anyways, i hope it is good news for both of you and the breeder as well. It sounds like an accident, nothing irresponsibly caused .
But no matter what it is, if it is a condition the puppy has been born with, you are not responsible having the puppy only for 5 days .
But if it a sentinel reaction i am sure you will do the right thing and take full responsibility for it .
Blessings.
XOXO

Some very cogent advice here. My point of disagreement is with the owner of the dog figuring out herself if it is a reaction to Sentinel. The vet has already stated it is not. It is the vet's professional opinion that matters, and he will need to state so in his letter.

Also I thought 16wks is now the preferred timeframe for the initial bat testing with a repeat at 6months?

to whit I wouldn't advise taking another puppy from the same litter until at 16wks they have been bat tested. And furthermore a guarantee of some nature from that breeder that if on retest at 6mths should there be a problem, that if medical intervention (surgery) is necessary up to the cost of the surgery will be re-imbursed to purchaser, and or puppy returned to breeder, and a full refund for purchase price.

But right now, it's best to focus on finding out what is wrong with the wee one

And I bonded with Razz after 24 hours, five days in I'd never give him up. Emotions are funny things. I can't say the same for every animal I've had, but for most after 24 hours they are MINE.

[kjc]

Sentinal can be given to 4 wk old pups.. not your mistake... no way to tell puppy would react negatively...

calling my vet now... on hold........................... he'll need fluids, dexamethazone, and benedryl... supportive care.

ETA: Never give Sentinel again.

[AllDogBoots]

I just got off the phone with Dr. Mary Jennings of Novartis (sentinel). I spoke in detail about the symptoms as well as when he was given the sentinel. She does not believe that this is from the sentinel because even in extreme overdose, it should get better, not progressively worse. there have been some very few cases of neurological issues in dogs, however never head bobbing. She wants me to follow up with her as soon as i find out what is going on with Max.

[tommysgirl789]

Hope things look better tomorrow for you and Max.

[Ladymom]

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

Her guarantee says within 1 year she will take back a puppy who has a life threatening illness. She says LS is not life threatening.

Originally Posted by AllDogBoots

no, i guess Max did not have bile acid tests. I'm 90% sure the breeder will not take him back. She said she doesn't know what to do with a Liver Shunt puppy. I agree with you on the vet bills. I just don't know if I even want another puppy at this point. We love Max so much and Cooper loves him as well that I can't imagine replacing him.

I am certain you can get written proof from any number of vets that LS is life threatening if it turns out that is what Max has. His breeder may not know what to do with a puppy with a LS, but that is no excuse not to honor her health guarantee. All reputable breeders should be prepared to stand behind any puppy they produce. She should hold his purchase price in escrow for a year just in case a congenital condition does arise.

If it does turn out Max has LS, I would make sure she accepts responsibility whether you decide to keep him or return him for another puppy. It might be worthwhile to spend a few hundred dollars to have an attorney write her a letter advising her that she must honor her contract.

[Britster]

I can't even imagine your situation. I really am just wishing you the best. I don't think I could have given up Jackson after 5 days. I know how attached you get, they become part of your family so fast. I don't know what I would do. I am going to keep up with this thread and pray for you.

[AllDogBoots]

Originally Posted by Britster

I can't even imagine your situation. I really am just wishing you the best. I don't think I could have given up Jackson after 5 days. I know how attached you get, they become part of your family so fast. I don't know what I would do. I am going to keep up with this thread and pray for you.

Thanks. I'm having a tough time. I did my research on this breeder and she came highly recommended. It wasn't a foolish purchase. My fear is that if I give him back, she will have him put to sleep because she can't afford the surgery. I am seriously struggling with that. We love him but I don't want a dog that requires major surgery within a week of us getting him.