Puppy has been sick since we got him

[kmsmommythang]

We bought our puppy 1 month ago, he's a puggle. He is the sweetest, most well behaved dog we could have hoped for. He has been sick since we brought him home. He has coccidia, galardia (?), and a kennel cough that turned into pneumonia. He was in the Emergency Hospital for 3 days last week, and spend 1 night at out vet, and he was hospitalized again last night with dehydration. I am heartsick because he is such a good boy, and he is suffering so much. I am also a little angry at the place where I purchased him (they are not even one ounce apologetic). Im going to change the puppy's name from Bandit to The Money Pit.

[skunkstripe]

I kind of hate to ask, but did you get your doggy from a pet store? If so I think you may be learning the hard way why a lot of dog lovers don't think this is a good idea. Aside from the fact that the dogs who are used to breed these cute puppies lead horrible lives, the corporations who breed and transport them as well as the pet stores just plain don't take good care of the animals and couldn't care less.
About all I can say is that if it is a big name (like Petland) you could try joining a class action lawsuit, but basically you may be out of luck.
My advice is to do your best by this poor little dog who did not ask for this kind of sickness and next time find some other way to get yourself a doggy.

[lassie]

Hi how distressing for the pup and you. have you notified the people that you bought the pup from?
Seems as if you may have been had and bought him from, what we call in the UK a puppy farmer.
lets hope the babe comes through this!

BTW whats a puggle?????????? is it a designer dog????????????

Any reputable breeder would not sell a sick pup.

[Becky]

Also, look at their health guarentees (they usually go with a sale of a puppy) and you may be able to dig something up.

As to them being unapologetic, well, throw it in their face. Tell everyone you know about how sick your dog is and how they don't care (be sure to mention the store by name). Make sure that anyone who thinks about buying a dog from a petstore hears your story so that they don't have to go what you're going through and also so that they don't support puppy mills (which is where just about every petstore gets their puppies from).

My heart goes out to you and your pup and I hope he gets well soon!

[Becky]

Lassie,

A puggle is a designer mutt (beagle X pug).

[kmsmommythang]

there is a 14 day puppy "lemon law", and the pneumonia happened 16 days after we got him. I might take the person i bought him from to small claims court because he doesnt care. I called him 3 times just to tell him about the illnesses (because they are all contagious), and he blew me off.

[skunkstripe]

Well I am really sorry to hear about that. Most of all for the poor dog.

[Becky]

He had Kennel Cough before the pneumonia, right? So, I think that's within the lemon law, correct?

Also, be prepared for them to want to take the pup back in return for your money. Often times, that's the "deal breaker" so-to-speak.


Edited to Add:

Also, call the ASPCA, HSUS or Animal Control. If your pup is sick with contagious diseases, chances are more of the pups in the store are also sick (and possibly going untreated) and the ASPCA, HSUS or Animal Control may want to check it out. The owner may just get slapped with a heavy fine, and, there's always that slim chance he may not be allowed to sell pups anymore.

[lassie]

Lassie,

A puggle is a designer mutt (beagle X pug). Thanks;)
with an expensive price tag i bet too

And dont be tempted to take his litter brother in exchange;)

[kmsmommythang]

he'snot a mutt, he;s a hybrid...a mutt is 3-4 different breeds rolled into one.

[ChessieLvr]

A mutt is two or more breeds of dog in one.
A hybrid is the breeding of two different species (a wolf/dog or a lion/tiger). Different breeds of dogs are not different species, therefore a puggle is a mutt, not a hybrid.

[skunkstripe]

Here is a quote from the website of the Mixed Breed Dog Club of America:

"They come in a wide variety of colors. Their coats can be short or long, curly or straight, silky or wiry. They can weigh eight pounds or eighty.

Mixed breed dogs are as diverse as the purebreds from which they originate. Each one is unique. Their roles are as varied as their backgrounds. Mixed breed dogs are used in herding and pet-assisted therapy, as rescue and hearing dogs, and in obedience and tracking competition. But their most familiar role is as a much loved family pet and companion.

Technically, a Mixed Breed is the offspring of two different purebreds. The mating of a purebred and a mixed breed results in a litter on Mongrels. And, if both parents are either mixed breeds or mongrels, the pups are Mutts.

But none of this is important. It's the dog's inner self that we love, not the length of his coat or the caliber of his pedigree.

Whether you call your dog a mixed breed, mongrel, or mutt, you're welcome in the Mixed Breed Dog Clubs of America."

Personally I think this terminology is clearer than just calling any non-PB a "mutt".

[lassie]

In our eyes here its still a mongrel. People are crossing two breeds , then charging high prices for a puppy , which after all is a mutt! And then calling it a "new breed or a designer dog LOL

[Becky]

Trivial, but wolves and dogs are the same specie... so the term hyrbrid is innopropriate... or possibly is can also be applied to subspecies? Anybody know?

Reguardless, I don't think the term really matters much. The dog is not a purebred but is sold to be as such.