I feel ethically compelled to post this to spare anyone the emotional distress and financial toll I’ve endured for the past three nightmarish weeks (and one that continues, and will continue, well into the future). My new puppy, George, arrived to me in very poor health at ~10 weeks old. I purchased him from Sullivan’s Boston Terriers, which is by many accounts a reputable operation, and from whom I was guaranteed to receive a healthy puppy. Since his arrival (keep in mind, it has been three weeks), George has had chronic diarrhea (no firm stool unless he’s eating only rice, turkey, and vet prescribed supplements), he arrived with a clearly distended belly and a hookworm diagnoses from the vet within 12 hours of receiving him (treatment and follow-up to eliminate the larvae and the subsequent fecal exam to clear him will last for almost three months—the likelihood of one puppy getting it in a litter is infinitesimal according to the medical professionals I have consulted and is, most of the time, passed on from the mother), the vet has had to run a $275 fecal PCR exam, the “big guns” exam for bacterial infections, which tested positive for canine coronavirus infection (CCV, more info here: petmd/dog/conditions/digestive/c_dg_canine_coronavirus_infection. The most common source of a CCV infection is exposure to feces from an infected dog. The viral strands can remain in the body and shed into the feces for up to six months. Stress caused by over-intensive training, over-crowding and generally unsanitary conditions increase a dog’s susceptibility to a CCV infection. George has not been allowed outside or with other dogs because hes not had his third vaccinations, had hookworms, and evidently now *this.* Everyone is utterly stumped on how to fix his GI problem, which is the most pressing concern, because it could begin to inhibit his ability to absorb and digest proteins. A bland diet is not a sustainable one. His medical bills for antibiotics, dewormers, vet visits, testing, and the fact that he’s had to be on a bland diet with continued failed attempts to introduce puppy food in the tiniest gradations have racked up astronomical bills and hit my savings really hard, so much so that costs now exceed the price I paid Sullivan’s for George at $1,850.00 USD. This has all, frankly, made what should have been an exciting and extremely happy time one of constant fear, sleeplessness, and worry. This is happening to a puppy I got from a breeder registered with the Boston Terrier Club of America, registered AKC, and one who came with a health guarantee. It goes without saying, then, that these affiliations ought not be treated as trusted markers of a puppys health *upon arrival.* As this is an open market, it should be known that this has been my experience with this particular breeder and the costs continue to accrue (he has another vet appointment with blood-work to be conducted today). For this new pet-owner who did and has continued to do absolutely everything by the book, conducted an extensive months-long search for a top-notch breeder who performed all the appropriate health testing, and really trusted Sullivan’s, I could not be more devastated by the world of hell and hurt my little George has had to endure. Please exercise great caution in your search because this poor guy arrived sick and has been sick ever since, and we still cannot figure out why or what to do to make him better.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 18:47:41 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015