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AIBU?

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Original poster

New kitten is very sick. Seller will take no responsibility

389 replies

Sp3849 · 10/03/2021 12:18

So Friday evening I purchased a little sphynx kitten. When I got there it was clear the kitten was underweight but apart from being boney and dry skinned she was playing and inquisitive. I was told she was in good health was given her vaccine record. She was born very small and was 11 weeks old needed her second vaccine this week. I Asked to see mum and she explained that she had bought this kitten days before and had to sell her due to her other cat not liking it. She showed me pics of the kitten with mum and gave me the vax records with breeders details on. As soon as we got home she had bloody diarrhea I contacted her straight away and she seemed genuinely shocked and concerned. Said it was most likely the stress of journey. By Saturday evening the dhe diarrhea had continued all day and she wasn't eating. The lady wasn't responding to me. I Contacted a vet who said it was most likely the stress of the move and too keep her hydrated. I still didn't feel happy so tracked down her breeder on Facebook and she was shocked she had been resold and was very helpful explained she had been weaned onto a raw diet and was used to that and the biscuits the lady had been feeding her were probably the cause. I went straight out and bought her the recommended food and some fluid replenishment drinks and she ate fine after that, the diarrhea eased and became less runny and bloody. By Sunday night she devoloped bad eyes and was sneezing. This got worse throughout Monday she stopped eating agaim and I rang the vet. The vet explained she was severely dehydrated and that she had an infection. I had to go again yesterday and I also have to take her back again today. It is costing a fortune. Which i don't mind but the woman I bought her off is denying she was ill saying she had diarrhea but was fine! That she didn't have her long enough to make her sick and that this is my fault and she won't take her back (I wouldn't of taken her back to her anyway) she won't refund me and she won't contribute too vet fees. I am more upset about what she has done to this poor kitten. The photos the breeder sent me of the day she left hers it's just heartbreaking too see how much weight she lost. It is touch and go at the moment and I am just angry. I feel she should take some responsibility for what she has done. Am I being unreasonable to expect her to contribute? Where do I stand with this? There is a good likely hood this cat may not live and I have spent 1300 on it so far and not to mention my children and how upsetting it all is

OP posts:
FamilyOfAliens · 10/03/2021 14:55

The breeder sold her three days after her first vaccine. 8 weeks and 3 days. So I guess she was in the wrong to let her go so soon. I wasn't sure if an age when I googled it they said they can be sold at that age so I didn't think anything was wrong with what she had done.

Who’s “they”?

And you posted that you know the breed well, so why were you relying on google to tell you something as basic as when a cat is ready to leave its mother?

DavidsSchitt · 10/03/2021 15:00

"I don't want to let my children down"

Jesus, how will they cope with the harsh realities of day to day life?

"She offered to take her and nurse her and try and help but I would rather her stay with me"

Ah, you know better than the breeder. She can't do much more than offer her help can she?

Your priority is the money, that much is obvious. None of you sound fit to own animals.

Viviennemary · 10/03/2021 15:00

I would report the person you bought it from to the RSPCA. And take to the small claims court. Sounds like she lied too about the kittens background. Is she paying tax on this lucrative business deal. I doubt it.

DavidsSchitt · 10/03/2021 15:00

And that's coming from someone who can't stand the things

AryaStarkWolf · 10/03/2021 15:01

@Sp3849

OK so I will report the breeder too ggcf I have plenty of evidence and messages concerning dates etc. The breeder sold her three days after her first vaccine. 8 weeks and 3 days. So I guess she was in the wrong to let her go so soon. I wasn't sure if an age when I googled it they said they can be sold at that age so I didn't think anything was wrong with what she had done. My insurance doesn't cover her until I have had her a fortnight and this will be classed as an ongoing issue as I have taken her to the vet before it kicked in, so they won't cover it now anyway. It's not about the money. It's what they have done. It would have been nice if they apologised showed some compassion asked how she was and offered to help with costs. That isn't going to happen though. I just wanted to know what to do about the whole mess. I don't think that any of them should get away with it. I certainly don't think she should be allowed anims and now I am staring to wonder if the breeder is being nice out of trying to keep me sweet
12 Weeks is what a good breeder would sell a kitten at
GrolliffetheDragon · 10/03/2021 15:01

@Fieldsofstars

Why has this lady had so many dogs? Also why have you had many cats?

I don’t feel sorry at all for irresponsible pet ownership.

I've had many cats over the years, not sure how that makes me an irresponsible pet owner.
LudoBear · 10/03/2021 15:02

When I got there it was clear the kitten was underweight but apart from being boney and dry skinned

You could see she was unwell when you had her.

peak2021 · 10/03/2021 15:03

My sympathy was lost when £1300 was mentioned. I feel very sad for the kitten.

Shellingbynight · 10/03/2021 15:07

The breeder sold her three days after her first vaccine. 8 weeks and 3 days. So I guess she was in the wrong to let her go so soon. I wasn't sure if an age when I googled it they said they can be sold at that age so I didn't think anything was wrong with what she had done

I don't know what you googled. The GCCF says

"A kitten should be fully vaccinated against both cat flu and enteritis before it leaves the breeder. GCCF recommends that no kitten should go to its new home until at least 13 weeks of age, and a week after its full course of primary vaccinations has been completed"

Sphynx cat club says the same

"Full set of vaccinations by the time kitten is ready to leave for new home. Not earlier than 13 weeks."

BehindMyEyes · 10/03/2021 15:14

I bought a kitten from a breeder . He was 16 weeks before he was allowed to come to me and he had had vet treatment and was insured already . Stick to responsible people.

Woebegonad · 10/03/2021 15:15

For those saying to adopt, if you want a hairless breed your only option is to buy them

Nobody needs a fucking hairless cat.

riverrunning · 10/03/2021 15:17

This is what happens when you don't check the breeder out properly. My dog came from a breeder who promised to take my dog back at any point in his life if there was any reason we couldn't look after him. That is a good breeder who cares about animals.

I'm so sorry for your kitten - I hope they pull through and really just posting to hear the outcome for the cat. You've been told enough times, yes report them both and never, ever get another cat from unscrupulous means. Better to wait for the right breeder and the good ones often have a waiting list.

HowManyToes · 10/03/2021 15:18

@RoseLimeade

I’ll get flamed for this but YABU to have purchased a kitten like a luxury product (1300!?) from someone who is financially motivated to breed as many of them as possible. You’ve supported an atrocious business model that trades in living beings. Not sure why you’re surprised I have to admit.

The moment you adopted that kitten they became your responsibility. Next time go to a shelter. You don’t get a partial refund on a living being because the quality isn’t to your liking.

If you can afford 1300 on a kitten then I’m sure you have money put aside for vet fees.

I couldn’t agree more.
speakout · 10/03/2021 15:22

This poor animal.

Exploited and neglected by so many humans at every turn in its little life.

MrsMackesy · 10/03/2021 15:23

This is one of the many reasons our non-human family members come to us via rescue charities, people we know or close personal recommendation and not forgetting those who turn up bedraggled on the doorstep, not microchipped or without traceable owners - stories like this one, time and time and time again.

It was too young to leave its mother and has already had - at least - 3 homes. Do not buy live beings from strangers online or from abroad - ever. Hard lesson learned, I hope, OP?

You have contributed to this cruel trade and this kitten's unhappy journey, albeit unintentionally. Look after this poor creature and be its happy ending. Do your best for it. I truly hope it recovers.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 10/03/2021 15:27

@ComtesseDeSpair

And frankly, the original breeder sounds like an irresponsible idiot, selling a kitten, born underweight, of that particular breed, before all its vaccinations were complete, and offering no kind of aftercare.
i agree with this - plus she was 11 weeks hen you got her (I think you said), so presumably the evil cow person you bought her off had her at least a week - maybe more, which means that the original breeder sold her too early. Kittens are more dependent upon their mothers than puppies, and 12 weeks is the recommended age. However, this doesn't help you.

Was there any insurance with the kitten when you got her? I know most pedigree puppies usually come with a month's free insurance. I know it doesn't save you any distress, or that poor little cat any pain, but at least you may not be too much out of pocket.

I would contact the CAB t see if they can suggest anything.

It's absolutely heartbreaking- that poor little puss. She must be so frightened and ill. There are some callous people about.

FamilyOfAliens · 10/03/2021 15:34

@Woebegonad

For those saying to adopt, if you want a hairless breed your only option is to buy them

Nobody needs a fucking hairless cat.

Grin
AryaStarkWolf · 10/03/2021 15:34

@Woebegonad

For those saying to adopt, if you want a hairless breed your only option is to buy them

Nobody needs a fucking hairless cat.

No one "needs" a cat but if you want a cat and have allergies then a hairless cat gives you the option of owning one
Wolfiefan · 10/03/2021 15:39

@AryaStarkWolf many people aren’t allergic to fur at all. The saliva causes a huge issue. Hairless doesn’t guarantee anything.

UpDownQuark · 10/03/2021 15:44

@peak2021

My sympathy was lost when £1300 was mentioned. I feel very sad for the kitten.
OP did explain that the £1300 was both to buy the kitten and to pay its vet bills.
sunflowersandbuttercups · 10/03/2021 15:47

No one "needs" a cat but if you want a cat and have allergies then a hairless cat gives you the option of owning one

Unfortunately, hairless doesn't guarantee anything in that regard.

Lots of people with allergies are allergic to saliva and dander, as opposed to the fur/hair itself.

Nomorepies · 10/03/2021 15:48

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ on the poster's request

AryaStarkWolf · 10/03/2021 15:49

[quote Wolfiefan]@AryaStarkWolf many people aren’t allergic to fur at all. The saliva causes a huge issue. Hairless doesn’t guarantee anything.[/quote]
And many people are allergic to fur

AryaStarkWolf · 10/03/2021 15:50

@sunflowersandbuttercups

No one "needs" a cat but if you want a cat and have allergies then a hairless cat gives you the option of owning one

Unfortunately, hairless doesn't guarantee anything in that regard.

Lots of people with allergies are allergic to saliva and dander, as opposed to the fur/hair itself.

It doesn't guarantee it but it makes it possible for some people
Naunet · 10/03/2021 15:51

well and she let the lady have her as she knew the lady she had had puppies of her in the past and she is also a breeder of dogs and felt that she would take adequate care of her having knowledge of rearing pups

Sorry, but this is absolute bullshit. You don’t keep kittens until they’re 12 weeks because humans might not take adequate care of them, you keep them for 12 weeks because they need their mum. The breeder is disgusting. Please, in future either rescue or buy from a proper breeder, not some arsehole on the internet.

I hope your kitten gets better soon.