New yorkie puppy has health issues. What would you do
 

We just bought a sweet little yorkie puppy that I was told was 8 weeks old but was only 7. Had I known He was that young I wouldnt have bought him... I think that is just too young to separate from mom. After 3 days was vomiting with diarrhea but wellness exam was today. Has coccsidia, grade 2 heart murmur and one testicle has dropped down. Coccsidia can be remedied with meds hopefully without exposing our other 2 dogs. Heart murmur might go away according to pet store. Vet said see where it's at when next shots are given. Testicle worse case he would have to go they 2 surgeries, vet said like a spay and neuter surgery. Love the puppy but is this a sign to run the other way and return him to the store? I had no idea the health issues a yorkie can have! I have 2 shiz tzu that have only had to go to the vet to be fixed!

From experienced breeders on here they say puppies are not to leave their moms until they are 12 weeks old and pet stores get their babies from puppmill breeders. They are not tested for genetic problems and most often live in crowed horrible conditions.
Only you can decide about this babies life........what health guarantee did you get???

Hi and welcome - oh my this poor little baby! Being sold at a pet store when it shouldn't even have been taken from its Momma for another 5 weeks - that's very dangerous.

Well, firstly, please don't ever buy from a pet store again - they are *incredibly* unscrupulous and will do/say anything to sell their "product". The fact they even accepted a 7 wk old sick puppy AND sold it you should tell you exactly who they are as far as values. This puppy very likely came from a puppy mill, btw, bc that's where most pet stores get their animals. This means you're supporting puppy mills, even though you didn't mean to...so keep that in mind too. Don't get down on yourself though, please, bc we've all made mistakes w/ dogs - believe me!! :)

On to this poor little one. As far as keeping him, totally up to you. I'd have his knees checked asap for having early LP - but even if he doesn't yet have it, just know he could. As far as the murmur, yes, could easily outgrow this so that's not the biggest deal. Coccidia is not uncommon in pups. And as far as the neuter - it will def not take 2 surgeries - one should be just fine - it's just that the surgery is more similar to a spay in that they have to go in the abdomen to find and remove that undescended testicle.

The pet store should be paying for ALL of this, btw. I'd be pretty furious if I were you :mad:. Best of luck and do keep us posted!

Welcome to Yorkie Talk. There is a very good chance the other testicle will drop by 6 months to 1 year old. As Wylie's Mom wrote, even if it doesn't, only 1 surgery will be required.

Treating the coccidia would concern me the most.

Being prepared for other potential genetic health issues that would be revealed down the road are also a consideration.

I will say to you to return this pup for a full refund. Then find a reputable breeder. While a grade two murmur can resolve itself, what else might be waiting to rear its head?

There are over twenty genetic problems Yorkies can have. If you want to keep this pup get health insurance now. After coverage do a full blood panel plus bats and have knees evaluated.

What ever you decide best of luck to you.

The store I bought him from is a local place that got the puppy from a couple here in town. We use to breed Persians and I've sold to them before. Not that they couldn't get the animals from puppy mills but I'm sure this little guy was raised in a home. He is too personable and social to be from a puppy mill.
The vet said the surgery to fix him would be to neuter him first then go in for the other testicle. Its done the same time but still harder on him. The pet store did say they would pay the additional cost for that.
The meds for the coccidia haven't helped so far...now water diarrhea and not eating. I'm just concerned he will go downhill fast. The pet store gave me nutracal to keep up his blood sugars.
The store will let me return him for another pet but at this time I wouldn't do this again. I couldn't go thru having to give up another baby with health issues. They dont' do refunds apparently. I just want this guy to get healthy and not have issues in the future.
I figure I have two options...give him back and not look back or just let him live until his time is up no matter how long he lives. both options sound heart breaking
Going for a second opinion this afternoon to see if they hear the heart murmur too.

Oh my -- if he is having water diarrhea AND not eating - he needs to get to the vet ASAP - bc he could die fast from this at his young age. He likely needs IV fluids ASAP. Please do not take this lightly - he's WAY too young to survive much right now.

I really would not trust anything you've learned from the store about this puppy - the store was in the wrong for even accepting this young puppy AND the breeder was beyond unscrupulous for selling him to the store at this totally vulnerable age.

how heart breaking. no words of wisdom beyond everyone else's. so sorry.

He went in for a second opinion yesterday. I'm giving him nutracal for calories and when he drinks water he gulps it so throws it up. I just gave to get him to pace himself. Found he likes cheese on his food so eating today good but could be feeling better. Second vet recommended returning him which I'm going to do but still home trying to decide what's best for him.

Have you tried small quantities of puppy milk? Like a tbsp at a time.

I thought some kitten or puppy milk but the pet store said it would be hard to wean him off again. The sprinkle of a little cheddar cheese did the trick to get him to eat. I took him back for a refund but the pet store hadn't even contacted the breeder yet so I had no idea what would happen to him. I'm a gambler so I'm gambling on him that all will be ok or he will live a comfortable life in a loving home with us. Still has diarrhea but everyone said sometimes takes a few days for the meds to kick in to fight off the coccsidia. Not watery anymore so that's a good sign. Has seen 2 vets that both said if his murmur is present at 6 months he needs to see a specialist. The store guarantee is they cover vet bills up to the purchase price so they would be paying the whole amount we paid towards that dr visit. So our out of pocket would be only $1000. He's worth it😀

So you decided to keep him for sure then?

If so, bless your heart for taking in what may be some unknown issues...bc many people would just give up on him and send him back. He is lucky to have run across someone who cares bc that breeder most certainly did not :(.

Best of luck and please keep us posted on his progress!

He's hone for good!
 

Yes I'm keeping him! I took him back because they said the couple that sold him just had the mom and dad. They would raise him and keep him. After asking them where he would go they hadn't contacted the breeders to see if they would take him back. Talked about keeping him until the murmur was better then reselling him. I walked out with a very bad feeling and went back in for him. He is so sweet and personable! We'll just deal with anything that comes his way and love him! He just belongs with us!

Awww, you are his Angel! He is so lucky to be with you!

Bless you for keeping this baby!!!!!!!!! It had to be a tuff decision. I pray he has a long and happy life. You are absolutely his Angel!:wavey::yorkiesar

I know I am probably odd man out here, but I would have returned the puppy. The store and the breeders need to know that there are people out there that won't take that crap any longer. No refunds? Contact your credit card company! PLUS have the store pay for the vet bills up to the purchase price of the pup. If he has ongoing issues, you will be paying tens of thousands of dollars to keep him well if he lives several years. Even if he is perfectly healthy, the cost of owning a dog is well into the thousands each year for just preventative care.

Anyway, make sure you get everything in writing from what the shop promised you. I would not believe anything they said period. Do you know for certain the pup was from a local breeder? Did they give you a name?

He's here for good!
 

Yes I'm keeping him! I took him back because they said the couple that sold him just had the mom and dad. They would raise him and keep him. After asking them where he would go they hadn't contacted the breeders to see if they would take him back. Talked about maybe keeping him until the murmur was better then reselling him. I walked out with a very bad feeling and went back in for him. He is so sweet and personable! We'll just deal with anything that comes his way and love him!

The pet store guaranteed up to the cost I paid for him in health costs so they will pay the first $1200. I thought that was very reasonable. I agreed about his age...the breeder should have kept him a lot longer. Just glad I got him not someone that couldn't devote a lot of time... I work from home so with him 24/7.

I'm so glad you're keeping him, I know it could bring you heartache but he is with you and you will try your best for him .

When I took him back I did get a refund since I didn't want another puppy. But I turned back around after I had a uneasy feeling about his future. I do have a contract I signed with the store for $1200 in medical costs. The vets that examined him did say there is no outward signs he has a heart murmur. The
Vets said he would see a cardiologist at 6 months for the echo that would tell us exactly what his future was. I'm good with that.

He went to grandmas house and her dog played with Max for 2 hours. She kept trying to calm Max down so he wasnt running so much but he was so happy to have someone play with him he was playing for 2 hours...slept really good last night 😀.

I do know the breeder name. We live in a small town and the store owner is my moms neighbor so I'm comfortable he didn't come from a puppy mill. Still agree they shouldn't have sold him so young. alot of things were wrong about this transaction but maybe it was destiny my daughter wanted to buy a kitten that day and I went with her. No intention of getting another dog but I saw him and once I held him I was hooked. We have to think it was meant to be.

How nice it is to come across someone who cares so much. Good luck to you and the little one. I hope all health issues will be solved quickly :)

God bless you. Hugs to your new angel!

Not sure it was a good idea to get from pet store... so sad. Before purchasing any pet especially yorkie breed.... do research and read what your getting into. I also suggest pet insurance..... Hopefully you can get your money back; but so sad that this lovable little one will have so much to go through in the future alone... I hope it finds a good lovable home. All dogs should be spayed, etc. So many homeless dogs out there.

Pet Insurance
 

In future, I'd suggest pet insurance.... it's not as costly as one thinks. Glad your keeping this bundle of joy. Take good care and love em....
Their truly loyal pets.

Just wanted to comment that we need to remember to support good breeders who are carefully selecting who they breed, paying diligent attention to health, temperament and conformation, doing eye/hip etc certifications and genetic testing. We only have the blessing of the breeds that we love through dedicated, hardworking breeders and if we don't support the people keeping our breed alive then all we have are the accidental matings and backyard breeders who are not putting the health and well being of our beloved breeds at the forefront, and we will lose what we love forever.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:
Thank you for this vote of confidence, from all breeders that are TRULY committed to keeping this precious breed healthy and bred with the care and concern it deserves. Sometimes it seems like people put the price of the yorkie last on their list of demands for quality....they will spend $800.00+ on those hi tech phones, outlandish computers, Ipods, Ipads, telephones, cars, clothes, washing machines, lawn mowers, etc....but when it comes to buying a LIVING, BREATHING little puppy, they want to get the cheapest deal they can find.....then end up spending tons of money on vet bills, if they are fortunate to have the baby even survive the first couple of months. People need to start using their heads and their knowledge and not be thrown into situations of sympathy, where they are playing "savior" to some sick, ill bred baby from a PET STORE......I do not even go into pet stores that sell animals.....I dont care WHAT cock and bull story they sell,about the stock is from only the very best relatives, etc....BS!!! They buy puppy mill pups for 1/3 what they end up charging for the animal.....dont be suckered into believing that lie.....NO REPUTABLE, CONCERNED PERSON SELLS A YORKIE PUPPY PRIOR TO AT THE VERY LEAST, AGE 12 WEEKS....EVEN BETTER 14-16+ WEEKS.....you buy from a pet store, for WHATEVER reason, you puts down your chip, you make your bet, and you get what you gambled on.

Just curious, was first Vet affiliated with Pet Store, like PetSmart has Vet on store property?

Yep I'm a gambler and I'm gambling this will be the best dog ever just like my other 2 I got...also from people breeding their 2 dogs. They have had zero health issues and if he doesn't have the same luck we'll give him a lot of love! And I wasn't looking for a "deal". Money wasn't a issue since I wasn't even looking to add another dog to the family. Just saw that little face 😊

None of the vets he's seen have anything to do with the store. First vet said level 2 heart murmur. When I told the store they suggested a second opinion. Then I went to my moms vet she uses and they said level 2 but since he was so small and they go by how loud it is could be level 1-2 but when he has his shots they will be able to assess it more. He runs around like a crazy dog and they both said he shows no sign of having a heart issue. Which is good.