Bought a pet store puppy 2 weeks ago and now she's dying. What should I do?

Hi, I bought a Weimeraner puppy from a pet store 18 days ago. I was reluctant to buy one from there but the store told me it is vet checked and it had all the shots so i bought it. To make a long story short, the past 18 days have been an absolute nightmare. She's been in and out of the hospital, that I rushed her to, 2 days after i bought her. She has pneumonia and it won't go away. My girlfriend and I have fallen in love with this dog, and today I got a call from the vet and she said I need to come in tonight and make a decision if I want to put her down or not. I don't want to do this, but I don't want her to suffer either. I called the pet store today and told the lady about it and she said, "We'll pay the med bill and you can come in and pick another puppy!" Would that be acceptable?? I dont' think so. First of all I don't want anther puppy from there and second of all, the past 18 days have been **** for me. What should I do?

[Scarlette]

They are asking you to put her to sleep because of pneumonia?? What type of antibiotics have they tried and how long has she been on them? If it really is pneumonia then they need to try something else. I think I would get another vet's opinion on this.

Sorry i didn't go thru all the details. She has a virus that she has to fight and she's not fighting it off. She's not eating and she's been isolated to an oxygen chamber and her oxygen level is still way low. Like I said she will not eat anything and is on an IV. She is at the best animal hospital around. I'll find out more details tonight. As far as reimbursement from the vet store I was just wondering how to deal with that. Hopefully i won't have to, if she pulls through.

[Scarlette]

If it is a viral infection then that really is bad. Viruses usually aren't affected by antibiotics like bacterial infections. If her oxygen saturation levels have been low for a long time then it could also affect other organs and is really hard on the heart. How low is her oxygen saturation and for how long?

If she doesn't pull through (which I'm praying that she DOES pull through this), make sure you save all of your vet bills, make copies of them to give to the pet store. DO NOT give them your only copies of the bills. Do you have it in writing that they will refund all the vet expenses, AND the price of the dog? If not, get it in writing! I would not get another dog from them. Find a reputable breeder for your next pup, or visit a rescue or shelter.

Good luck. I hope your puppy makes it through this!

[dragonmaster]

wow...i agree with scarlette about the bills and getting everything in writing. good luck, and i hope your puppy makes it through ok.

[Jade]

It sounds like parvo virus, instead of pneumonia. Parvo attacks the bone marrow, then the intestines, causing the puppy to get very, very sick. The only treatment is to try to keep the puppy alive long enough to make antibodies and neutralize the virus itself.

Being on IVs and being fed nutrients via that route is the best they can do for her. She should be given antibiotics, to help combat any bacterial infection that could take advantage of her lowered immune system.

IF it is parvo and you get another dog, please don't get a puppy. It's highly contagious and can live up to 6 months, especially in carpet, etc. A shelter dog would be your best bet, provided the dog is up to date on vaccinations. It's hard enough doing it once, let alone twice.

I wish you the very best and will keep the pup in my prayers.

[Jodi]

omg, I'm so sorry! What a mess! I agree with Scarlette. But also with some pet stores once you buy the animal you are stuck. (unless they give you some kind of guarantee in writing) so at least they are willing to pay the bills & give you another puppy. I understand your reluctance and maybe you can work something else out with the store (store credit? for food, toys, etc)

I hope your little buddy pulls through. Please keep us updated.

[PokeyPokey]

That's horrible!!!! Weimeraner puppy's are the cutest things in the world!!!

I sure hope you can get your money back on the puppy. You shouldn't have to go through this!

Thanks everyone. JADE im a little nervous now that I read your post about the Virus being contagious. The Weimer and my black lab have been inseparable and he's been acting really weird lately and we've been wondering if he's sick or if he misses her. I'm so scared that he may have caught the virus from her. I hope im just being paranoid.

[Jade]

How old is your lab and is he vaccinated? If he's under a year and not vaccinated, get him to a vet ASAP. The earlier you catch it, the better.

[Scarlette]

Has the Lab been vaccinated against parvo?

**Jade and I posted at the same time, sorry**

[EyesOfTXChins]

I would take your lab to the vet just to make sure! This is really really sad!

I will be praying for your poor puppy!! I would do like Scarlette said and get EVERYTHING in writing and keep ALL records! I would get money back for the dog and go to a reputable breeder or rescue as was already stated (although they will prob just offer replacement).

I actually would be shocked if they come through with all their promises about the vet bills, and money back/replacement. Also ask the vet if the virus she has in contaigous!

[Crittercall]

I'm with Jade and Scarlette on this one - get the lab a prophalactic (SP) parvo vaccine (it won't hurt the dog no matter what, to the best of my knowledge).

Diarrhea? That's the most common sign that they first break with when it's parvo. Nasty, stinky, bloody diarrhea. When I worked in vet ER it was very common to see dogs come in with it - the people couldn't/wouldn't take a new puppy to the vet to get vaccines because of the cost and would usually end up facing that awful decision.

I have seen blood transplants work, but it's rare and you have to catch them at just the right time.

After you get you satisfaction - if possible - from the pet store IN WRITING (or better yet, in cash), please call the ASCPA and report them. They should know better than to handle sick puppies!

And as Jade says, the virus can/will live in your carpet, yard, etc., for six months, so I would be hesitant to get another puppy in that period.

Good luck! We'll be looking for further reports.

I'll let you all know tomorrow how it turns out.. My lab is 6 years old so he's probably okay. He just happens to have a vet appointment tomorrow so I'll make sure they check for that. I'll get more details tonight about the puppy so i can better explain whats going on.

[Crittercall]

I hope it goes well, and that your vet can give you a better explanation of what's going on.

~~~~~~~~~~~good luck vibes~~~~~~~~~~~~~~