New Member

Posts: 6
From:Melbourne,Vic,Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-06-2003 12:45 AM            

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I have been breeding Bullmastiffs for 15 years now.I am vigilant with vaccines in all my dogs.So I was terribly shocked and distressed when I received a call from someone that purchased a puppy from me 8 weeks ago telling me that the pup had Parvo.
He said that the puppy was vomiting from the moment he got it home and put it down to travel sickness.However the next morning the pup was even worse so he took him straight to the vet.It was diagnosed with the virus.
The puppy had been vaccinated at 6 weeks of age along with his litter mates,all of which have been strong, healthy,robust puppies since they went to their new homes.I kept a litter brother myself and have seen no signs of any illness at all.I did not let the pups go to their new homes until almost 9 weeks of age.They were kept indoors,in a clean room right up until this time.I did not allow anyone to enter the room for fear of this type of thing happening.
Can anyone tell me why only 1 puppy out of 9 would contract this awful disease?I'm totally devistated about this poor puppy and the owners distress.
I feel responsible and have offered to let them have a puppy from my next litter at no charge,regardless of whether or not he survives.One thing I can't understand is why the puppy is still mortally sick and in the vet surgery hanging on to life by a thread when from what I've been told,the puppy was diagnosed the day after he left here 8 weeks ago.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Illona.

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Member

Posts: 77
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-06-2003 01:33 AM            

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hi there dont worry it wont be something you have done wrong you have done everything you even vaccinated them what can sometimes happens is when an animal is vacinated because its actually a small live virus that is given as the vaccination that puppy might have taken it bad or the new owners may have come in contact with a dog or some one that has a pet that has the virus the vomiting all the way home will be down to travel sickness as puppies cant handle the motion you sound like a respectable breeder so i wouldnt worry to much if all other dogs and puppies are healthy strong puppies

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Melbourne,Vic,Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-06-2003 02:46 AM            

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Thanks for those reassuring words.I can't understand why he's still at deaths door after 8 weeks though.After all the educated literature I've been reading on the web,I'm begining to think that the pup has only recently contracted the disease.
He is at the moment having a blood transfusion.The owner told me he hasn't eaten for 7 days,and his weight is only 6kg.He was 11kg when he left here at 9 weeks which was 8 weeks ago.If he was already diagnosed with Parvo the day after,why has he only just stopped eating,and why is he still vomiting and passing blood?I smell a rat.He was adamant that I shouldn't stress myself out anymore by looking it up on the internet.
He knows how fussy I am about where my puppies go.I've gave him strict instructions about diet and general care of his new baby,to the point of being over protective.
I'm starting to think he was too scared to admit his neglectfullness.Why would he wait 8 weeks to inform me of the pups condition.
Surely if his puppy was diagnosed with Parvo the day after he got him home,he would have been straight on the phone to me.
Do you agree?

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Member

Posts: 77
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-06-2003 09:06 AM            

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i totally agree because i am sure if i got an animal and it was ill the day after i got it i would be straight on to the people i got it off dont stress yourself about it, it was healthy when it left you so its neglagence on there behalf you told them what they should know about the puppy and if they didnt listen then they only have themselves to blame but like you said none of the other pups have it so i smell a rat too

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Posts: 41
From:Nellis AFB, Nevada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 09-06-2003 10:06 AM            

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I agree. I think something is going on over there and it isn't your doing. If the other dogs didn't come down with it, I don't think it was anything you did. Parvo is so contagious that it doesn't take much to pass on. Plus, your other dogs at your house haven't came down with it either. The fact that he is still getting vet care after 8 weeks... I smell a rat too. Is there a chance you can contact the vet and ask questions? Because there is a possibility that the owner is lying about the pup's health, you might want to think twice about giving him another pup. Take care and keep us posted! I know you are worried about the pup but don't stress that it could have been your fault. Things do not add up at all.

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Posts: 616
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 09-06-2003 11:04 AM         

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I would contact his vet and see if what he is saying matches up with the vet. If he is lieing he will not give you the vets name or number. I'm wondering what are the ages that a pup gets his next set of shots, could it be possible he did not follow thru with that on time. Breeders always say not to let the dog around any other dogs until all of the shots have been taken care of. Its possible that he had a parvo pup in his household before and did not clean properley. Plus not wanting to tell you that. He could have also put the pup in a place on the way home in a spot that was contaminated already, but to just letting the pup go potty. I don't think any of it was your fault. It would be worth it for you to find out if he is trying to pull a pup out of you for free if so. Put him in his place. You sound like one of the good breeders and we all appreciate your kind.

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Posts: 163
From:
Registered: May 2003

posted 09-06-2003 11:36 AM         

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Hi there, I am very sorry that your poor pup has to go through this! How great of you to offer to take responsibility and offer the family another pup....but there are some things that just don't sound right in this situation. First if the owners picked the puppy up and it was sick the next day and taken to the vet - it could have contracted the virus when it was with you. Sometimes adverse reactions from vaccines can make pups sick with the viruses they've been vaccinated from. There have been reports of vaccine reactions happening from vac's immediately - to months, even years later. So there is a great likely hood this could have happened. Please search the web for "vaccine reactions" there is a lot of info out there. BUT - why did the new owners not call you and tell you about this right away??? What are the stipulations on your contract about taking the dog to the vets to be deemed healthy? Many breeders set it up so owners have 3-5 days for the pup to be deemed healthy by a vet - if the pups is found not to be in good health, a refund (or portion of the purchase price) will be given etc etc. It doesn't make sense they called you 8 weeks later? Also the fact that the pup was diagnosed with parvo two months ago and is still fighting for survival is strange???

Please ask for the vets phone # and speak to their vet and find out exactly what's going on. Check the date when the pup was first brought in, and make note of any visits after that.

Good luck.......keep us posted

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Melbourne,Vic,Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-06-2003 11:58 AM            

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I'm going to check his story out thoroughly.It was me that actually phoned him because I hadn't heard anything from him since he bought the pup.I could never catch him at home when I rang.
He has said a few other things since that make me quite sure he is being dishonest.
He told me the pup was having a blood transfusion,it hadn't eaten for the past 7 days.Which means it was eating okay before that.If an 8 week old puppy had Parvo and was sick enough to be diagnosed then,how would it still be just as mortally ill now,after 2 months?
I shall certainly keep all you caring animal lovers informed of what ensues.
The next call I make will be to my own vet.

Thanks for your concern everyone.

Illona

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Member

Posts: 77
From:uk
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-06-2003 03:48 PM            

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well like i said earlier something isn't right because normally if a dog gets parvo its touch and go to save it now a puppy of that age becoming seriously ill supposedly from the virus and is on blood transfusions isnt right as if it was that ill from it the pup wouldnt have made it once parvo takes full hold the dog cant be helped now an adult dogs immune systme is stronger than a puppies due to the fact it aint had the extra imunnities so i dont think the vet would have carried on with this transfusion not 2 months on, i agree with everyone else check with the vet and see whats goin on your not to blame ...

as for the part that the pup could have contracted it while still with you couldnt happen as your other dogs would have come down with it especially the pups and all your other dogs are happy and healthy...
i aslo agree that the new owners didnt carry on with the puppies shots and if they did they let him outside to soon as all vets will say wait atleast another 2 weeks after the last shot before taking puppies for a walk...

dont beat yourself up tho you did everything right you have bred dogs for 15years he will be trying to pull a fast one hoping that he can get another dog from you dont give in

good luck and cant wait to see what the new owners come up with next

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Melbourne,Vic,Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-06-2003 04:04 PM            

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Thank you for your support.I really am very stringent where my dogs are concerned.Their welfare is my number one priority.I had 9 pups in that litter and not one of them was sick before or after leaving here.I also have 6 other dogs including 2 pugs and they are very healthy.
I'm getting more and more wound up when I think of how he's trying to pull a fast one on me.He was very lucky to have got one of my pups to begin with as I had alot of other enquiries about them.They are not a common breed,and I've always got people asking if they can put their name down for a pup.I only breed once a year because it is very hard to find people that I'm comfortable with as far as my pups are concerned.He sucked me right in from the very beginning!
I shall post a message when I have any further news.

Thanks once again.

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Member

Posts: 41
From:Nellis AFB, Nevada
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 09-06-2003 07:54 PM            

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Way to go! I sincerely wish there were more breeders/dog owners out there that were as caring about their dogs as you. Good luck with your situation!

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Posts: 473
From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 09-06-2003 10:40 PM            

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Its nice to see such a caring, responsible breeder as yourself. I do not think you are at fault at all. Puppies can still contact parvo until their 3rd series of vaccinations from what I understand. If this puppy was diagnosed with it 8wks after adoption and you had the puppy up to date on vaccines...it was up to the owner to get the final vaccines and take the precautions neccessary in avoiding parvo. To me, it does not seem you are at fault.

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New Member

Posts: 6
From:Melbourne,Vic,Australia
Registered: Sep 2003

posted 09-06-2003 11:14 PM            

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Thanks so much guys.It really is comforting to know that people like myself,that care first and foremost about the welfare of their dogs,are out there in force.
It really is not all roses being a breeder when people like him do such callous things.
I was so upset when I heard the news,and then to be told it was from my negligence as far as he was concerned.
That really is a cruel scam to pull on anyone.
I'm so ready for his next call!

Lots of hugs for your support,

Illona.

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Member

Posts: 47
From:Los Angeles, Ca.
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 09-07-2003 12:09 PM            

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Hello Illona,
It's good that your ready for his lies & scheams.
Don't let him/anybody cheat you!

I love Bullmastiff's.
I own an American Bulldog "bully/Johnson-type".
He has a strong resemblance of a Bullmastiff.
Good Luck!

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...it's the understanding of what's wrong, when you only know how to do right...

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