HELP! Yorkie puppy suddenly ill resulting in death
 

I bought a 9 week old 2lb yorkie puppy from a breeder in Orlando for $800. ($200 deposit non refundable) We purchased her on Wed and brought her home. She seemed to be healthy and just a few hours after arriving at our house began to vomit and have diarrhea. I consulted the breeder and she said that it could be due to her shots that she had gotten on wed prior to us picking her up and to give her nutracal and pedialite This lasted till Thursday afternoon and the puppy seemed normal until Friday night when she began to do it again but worse. So Friday night I was up with her all night throwing up and on Saturday I took her to the vet to be inspected. The vet did all the normal parasite tests(including parvo) and they all came back negative. They gave her fluid under the skin to help with the dehydration that they said she had and sent me home with a broad spectrum parasite medication just in case after a $200 vet visit. From then on at home she just kept getting worse and worse. I held her on my lap the entire night and was noticing that she would not shut her eyes, but that she would just rest. Around 3am I laid down to go to bed and placed her on my chest for body heat. At 7:30am I woke up and pet her and she was barely warm. So I picked her up and realized she was dead. I was devastated. We had only had her for 4 days and we were already very connected with her. We placed her in a cooler and took her to the vet to be cremated so that we could keep her ashes. The vet closed at 5, but called at 530 to see if we wanted a necropsy done and I declined not knowing that I needed it to get a refund. So after I went through the paper work, I immediately called the vet back and only got a voice mail due to them being closed and left 3 vms stating I would like to change my answer and do the necropsy. They called me back at 9am and told me it could be done, but after paying $390 and the fact that they could come back inconclusive due to the fact that she had already been frozen for preservation I declined again. I contacted the breeder about the dog being ill and was in touch with her every day until yesterday when the dog passed. I called at 8 am after the shock had set in and no answer, then called again about thirty minutes later. Still no answer. So I proceeded with a text asking her to call me as soon as possible. This morning I woke up and was still a little distraught by everything and not receiving any communication with the breeder so I decided to try calling again, no answer so I sent another text requesting a phone call asap. The breeder still has not contacted me. I really would like some advice on what to do because I am at a loss for words at this point.

I am very sorry for your loss, really I am. Quite frankly I think the breeder gave you bad advice and this pup should have been "inspected" immediately upon symptoms. This is a pup that is too young and TINY to had been let go from its mother.

The delay in getting this tiny fragile pup treatment, regardless of cost is probably what ultimately caused her death. These pups go down fast, dehydration etc., from the symptoms you are describing can quickly lead to shock, organ failure or a host of other fatal problems.

When Mini was 2 months, 3 months and a couple of other times hospitalized for the same types of symptoms your describing, it was a couple days or longer with treatment and the cost was well over the amounts you quoted.

My point: You were given a pup that should not have been given to someone because her weight was too low, and her age too young. Additionally, you obvious have very little knowledge regarding these tiny pups and while your intentions were nothing short of loving a tiny little baby, a responsible ethical breeder would have prescreened you, educated you etc.,

I do not think that the death of this pup is your fault, how could you possibly know all these things? I fault the greeder you got her from. Chances are your not going to get far with this woman, you can try, and I wish you much luck.

In the future please, please, be sure that you are getting a pup from a reputable breeder, have educated from a to z and back again...most importantly make sure you have a bank roll of a few thousand dollars in case of emergencies, and you shuold probably look in to insurance.

I am very sorry for your loss. Your breeder was negligent in so many ways...I'm sorry.

My guess is she died due to dehydration. That much vomiting and diahrea in a pup that young is a death sentence and the vet should have kept her and put her on Ivs

i am very sorry for your loss.

I am so sorry. I think I am in shock that the vet even set the puppy home.. but I don't really know a lot about treatments and such.

I hope you get this resolved.. I would keep trying to contact the breeder. what do you want from her? Your money back? A different puppy? Have a plan of action

I think the breeder should give you another pup since she told you to delay treatment it is on her but its also the vets fault for not keeping her and putting her on Ivs I hope you dont blame yourself you were just a new owner doing what the breeder and vet told you to do. Im sorry for your loss

Important question, what was the name of your breeder? Did she have a website? Those prices are very low for that type of pup? Please tell us where you got the pup.

Often if a vet gives subcutaneous fluids it is because the owner does not wish to hospitalize the pup. My guess is that funds were low and that was the option taken...clearly the op was concerned about money as she stated how much she had spent for the visit. A hospitalization for a sick pup like that would have really racked up some dollars.
Very sad story....it's a shame the OP did not seem to realize how fast these pups can go down.
If I were the OP I would not want another of that breeder's pups. I suppose you could stay on her for the money, but I would not want a pup from her for sure.

No thats not always true because my vet at the time gave chachi fluids under the skin for diahrea dehydration when he was 8 weeks old and his staying at the vet was never discussed. Im not saying what you said isnt a possibility in this case but it may not be either

If the breeder still hasn't contacted you by phone (my guess is she knows your number and is screening her calls KNOWING what happened) what is stopping you from going to her house? Find out if your state or city has some sort of "lemon law" for puppies and bring it with you. Make sure you have any and all paper work pertaining to the poor puppy and bring it with you! Know what you want to accomplish with the breeder- do you want your money back? All of it, including the deposit or just part of it? Money for the vet bills? A different puppy? Have a plan going in. I do think that the best course is to meet with her in person instead of over the phone. Especially if she is clearly avoiding your calls right now. Get your info set as fast as you can and get there. The longer you wait the worse for you.

Again, let me reiterate...if you do get another puppy, prepare yourself for the care and costs of care that may or may not arise. Educate yourself in the proper care of a Yorkie or any dog for that matter. You were misled by the breeder and obviously had a piss poor vet...not to mention you obviously were not prepared for associated costs. I would without a doubt hold this breeder accountable, but you also, armed with the knowledge you now have must be accountable to any future pup you buy or adopt.

So sorry for your loss. I agree you may just want your money back and look else where for another pup. The breeder is being very rude not returning your calls or texts.

Most reputable vets would offer hospitalization to a severely ill pup. Since I was not there, I am not going to judge this vet. Sounds to me as if someone just did not know the severity of this puppy's condition. Very sad.

Exactly.

My vet was reputable and none of us are vets to know to know what all vets do in this circumstance. Just because she did not want to pay for a necropsy does not make me conclude that she wouldnt pay for hospitalization. What someone would pay to keep a pet alive and what they would pay when its already dead are two different things. There isnt enough in the OPs original post to conclude they refused vet care

I think the emphasis that OP put on the amount of money, which in total for pup and vetting was $1000 is what textually leads me to think that perhaps $ was an issue....I could be wrong. I also think the OP did not have a clear understanding at all on how to deal with a TINY pup.

I woud think that any pup that was hanging on by a limb that when presented to a vet in such a condition would have been admitted, but what do I know. I've spent enough on my dogs that I could pay my house off already!

I agree with you on some points here, but I also KNOW that you have a wealth of knowledge and would be able to decipher whether the vet was "right or wrong", I KNOW the care of your pup would be to the enth degree....however; this OP clearly did not have the where with all, nor the backing of a good breeder to help her and its not her fault, it is the fault of the breeder that sent her home with a too TINY pup at too early an age with an owner with little or no experience, then when owner turned to her was completely misled, because a reputable breeder would know the dire circumstances as described....I don't know exactly what happened at the vet, what I am able to tell is there is a very tragic set of circumstances for owner and pup, that in my opinion should not have happened this way.

Thank you all for your thoughts. I was not offered by the vet, who is very reputable, to keep Lola there. And by no means am I struggling for funds. I told the vet I would do anything no matter the cost and they said she did not need to be put on an iv just to have the fluids. They also told me that her gums were white, which I knew, and even hours after the fluids they never changed in color. I did do research on the breed as I have wanted a yorkie for many years and have a 5 year old 5lb chihuahua who is in excellent health. On Friday I did have a normal do who did not throw up who did not diarrhea and who played and ate just like a regular puppy should. As soon as I realized she was more than ill I rushed her to the vet. As far as the necropsy, I had never had an animal die on me, I did not know what to do in the circumstance. I had just gotten the puppy 4 days ago I didn't imagine the poor thing dying. The only reason I turned it down the first time was bc I was uneducated in that aspect. As of now I am not. Turning it down a second time was bc thats what the vet advised me to do due to her opinion of the results coming back inconclusive were highly likely. No the breeder did not have a website, but she did have many adds posted up and when I met her she seemed very nice and honest. The first time I met Lola she seemed in good health and when I went back a week later to purchase she seemed fine as well. Obviously that is not the case. I am a very trusting person and from now on my guard will be up when it come to purchasing another pup. The breeders name was Katia and refereed to her business as bundles of love out of Orlando. She was located back towards Apopka.

I would think any vet would admit a pup that young, that small, that sick and dehydrated for that long.

Now Linzy Im not picking on you because my posts have been directed to Ladyjane but I just read the post and she just puts in the very beginning how much the dog cost and deposit. The only other time she put money is when she put how much the necropsy cost that she refused. I think she has put how much the dog cost from the breeder to get a feel from us if she is entitled to another pup or money back. Everyone is entitled to there own opinions but from me I didnt get enough to conclude she refused treatment but if she did which she is the only one that knows for certain you can bet she already knows she should have hospiptalized this pup and doesnt have to be scolded to know what she should have done. She is grieving the loss of a pet and Im giving her the benefit of the doubt

Well there you have it! I am so sorry about your pup, its an awful experience. I still feel your breeder is to "blame" here, that pup was way too cheap and when you turned to her she was not there, she should not have allowed the pup to go home so tiny and so soon.

You did everything you could under the circumstances and I am sorry that these things sometimes happen. I don't know the condition of the pup when presented to the vet irregardless I would definitely consider changing vets. However; I will also add that once again these pups can go down fast and if there was an underlying condition, faster.

I am very sorry for your pain and I sincerely hope you stick around and learn all you can before you venture out again. Don't let this bad experience keep you from your dream of having a Yorkie, they are precious.

Good Luck and keep us posted, I will check in to the breeder to see if I can find any info for you.

So very sorry this happened to you.

No problems, all the opinions are good for a thread...but....luckily for us (which is so rare) the OP came back and clarified! Its all good, I never take offense...as long as you remember I am always right:eek::rolleyes: hehe just kidding.

OP- any luck researching your local laws and/or getting through to the breeder yet?

I do not want another puppy from this woman who is obviously avoiding me for a reason. I did all that I thought was right to save Lola on the vets advice and questioned their thoughts as well. Upon leaving the emergency vet, I asked if anything else could be done and they told me to go home and call back in the morning. I would have done anything and pay any amount due to the fact that my family had already become to love this dog and from day one we took her in as our own taking care of her. My step mom who is a nurse helped me nurse her through the night. I feel I did everything on my end as a new yorkie owner to help my Lola. I was educated and knew how to care for a small dog as I am an owner of a small breed. Thank you for your responses again, I apologize if I seem rude as I am still in shock of the death of Lola in my care.

No luck yet, attempted to call again with no response AGAIN. She obviously is avoiding me so we are going to try calling from another number to see if she responds. If all else fails I am going to file for small claims court and let a judge decide. I think that's fair.

Im glad you came back and updated us we were spinning our wheels and that sometimes happens for us. I feel so bad for you that on the advise of a breeder and a vet you did what they told you and your little pup died its just so unfair. This is a bad circumstance that no new owner should go through. I hope it doesnt hold you back from adopting a pup many people end up with a happy first time puppy experience it just wasnt in the cards for you. When you do consider adopting again be less concerned about price and more concerned about what kind of breeder you are getting a pup from. A reputable breeder would never avoid your calls they would take concern that one of there pups passed. Again Im sorry for your loss and I hope you continue to post. Your whole thread is a testament to why its important to buy from a reputable breeder

:thumbup:
Also, can you post a copy of the Contract? We might be able to help you decipher that.

I'm very sorry for your loss of your little one. Young, tiny dogs do go downhill so fast when ill, etc., probably very early vet care is the only way to be sure that your little one is getting the best care when they are losing fluids, etc., and if that vet's advice doesn't seem right to you, perhaps consider another ER vet clinic across town. But for now, just grieve and remember your baby. Having a baby dog in the home for even a day really impacts you and you can't help falling in total love and bonding. Just cherish her memory and take your time to grieve her great loss.

At first, I did not want to take on another puppy bc I did not want to go through what had happened again. But after having a day without her I felt so lonely bc she was such a sweet pup. I have been researching breeders for the past two days non stop and reached out to a few. Last night I had an hour long conversation with one from daytona that I found on the AKC website and am going to visit today to see her pups. With all the knowledge I have gained through this experience and the knowledge she has given me I hope that this time will be in my favor.

I just Googled Florida Pet Lemon Law and got a ton of hits! You have the law on your side with this terrible situation, use it and stop this greeder from doing it again!