New kitten is very sick. Seller will take no responsibility

[Sp3849]

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

She didn’t say she ‘needed’ a hairless cat she said she wanted one. We all have our own preferences when it comes to pets. I think lots of posters are misreading the OP as she has taken this cat to the vet and sounds like she is doing everything she can to look after it properly. She is not treating it like a commodity despite it having been an expensive experience.

So how is the kitten doing now, and what treatment has the vet recommended?

Most breeds have welfare organisations. Pedigrees can be adopted - or alternatively rehomed - through them usually. I understand the Sphynx breed, for example, has the Sphynx Cat Association in the UK.

Certain breeds suffer for becoming fashionable for a time - it happened to Siamese and Persian, then Bengal, Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest - Sphynx now too. People make a lot of money out of it, the reality of owning that breed is rarely as easy as buyers think or they get bored and want to move on to the latest fashion toy/status symbol, and the animals suffer. Same with dogs too, IME.

Lolling at the disingenuousness on display.

I'll bet my house that the OP and the vast majority of people who buy Sphynxes off t'internet only do it for the Insta-likes.

I am so :( to read about your poorly kitten OP. I hope she gets better soon.

I'd wonder if the cat has been imported. They seem to focus on fancier breeds of cats and puppies to bring over:

www.derby.gov.uk/news/2020/december/beware-imported-puppies-and-kittens/

Poor little kitten, but OP they certainly saw you coming.

I say 'they' as it is pretty obvious that the pair of them are in it together. Poor little runt of the litter is unsellable, but not wanting to lose the money make up a story about letting poor little kitten go to a new home early and then the dogs not liking it. This was one unwell little kitten and they left it until a willing mug turned up who is now dumped with all the stress and bills.

I say mug, but a mug with their heart in the right place who was easy to take advantage of. I would cut them both off and focus on little kitty.

@MrsMackesy

Most breeds have welfare organisations. Pedigrees can be adopted - or alternatively rehomed - through them usually. I understand the Sphynx breed, for example, has the Sphynx Cat Association in the UK.

Certain breeds suffer for becoming fashionable for a time - it happened to Siamese and Persian, then Bengal, Maine Coon and Norwegian Forest - Sphynx now too. People make a lot of money out of it, the reality of owning that breed is rarely as easy as buyers think or they get bored and want to move on to the latest fashion toy/status symbol, and the animals suffer. Same with dogs too, IME.

Genuinely wasn't aware of Maine Coons ever being trendy - we got our first about 13 years ago though so it may have passed me by entirely! 3 of mine are from the same breeder who has been going for decades too.

Breeds being trendy is always a problem though; there's a huge difference between making a considered decision about the right breed of cat or dog for your family and getting one from a reputable breeder or rescue vs buying the latest trendy kitten or puppy from a random advert. An acquantance is now on her 3rd breed of "trendy" dog.

@LockdownIsDragging

She didn’t say she ‘needed’ a hairless cat she said she wanted one. We all have our own preferences when it comes to pets. I think lots of posters are misreading the OP as she has taken this cat to the vet and sounds like she is doing everything she can to look after it properly. She is not treating it like a commodity despite it having been an expensive experience.

She treated it like a commodity when she bought a living creature from a total stranger on the internet. She knew is was underweight (always a red flag) when she bought it and still went ahead with the purchase anyway.

Now she's stuck with a sick kitten who may well continue to cost a fortune in vets fees throughout its life, on top of the £1300 she's already spent.

Poor kitten.

How is the kitten doing today?

All I want to know is how this poor little mite is doing today OP? You said there's a chance he/she won't make it? Heartbroken for it

@sunflowersandbuttercups are you saying the kitten would be better off left in the previous home?

@Shellingbynight

The original breeder sold her before her vaccinations were complete, which immediately rings alarm bells as no reputable breeder would do that. In addition, reputable breeders sell their kittens with four weeks of pet insurance, which you can claim on (and then renew).

You would have been very lucky to get a healthy kitten from the type of set up you've described. You really need to do your research into the seller before you buy, and ensure you are happy when you visit/collect the kitten.

I am very sorry your kitten is unwell and I hope she makes a good recovery. Please get pet insurance for her asap.

This^

No reputable breeder would sell a kitten that young with no insurance.

You've been 'had' I'm afraid OP.

I hope the kitten pulls through.

Actually I'm glad you have posted this OP because it helps advertise the fact that however well-intentioned and knowledgeable people are they can still end up making these mistakes, and more innocent animals suffer.

You have already been given a hard time by PPs, which I'm afraid you deserve, but enough.

Hope the kitten recovers soon.

I wouldn't contact the person that you bought the kitten off again. It's just time wasting and you won't get any money off them. You could consider reporting them to the RSPCA for their poor care of the kitten so they can't do it again.

[quote LockdownIsDragging]@sunflowersandbuttercups are you saying the kitten would be better off left in the previous home?[/quote]
The point is, if people didn't keep buying animals from random people they meet on the internet, these "breeders" wouldn't breed them in the first place.

I mean, why would you buy a living animal from a random Joe you "met" on an internet site? Why do people STILL think that's a good way to go about getting a family pet?

The kitten might now be better off with OP than the scam artist she got it from, but she shouldn't have gone about getting a pet that way in the first place.

The only thing to suffer here is the kitten.

The industry of buying and selling animals is disgusting, they’re not products.

It pains me that so many people this year have bought kittens and puppies when there are so many in desperate need of homes in rescue shelters. I hope your kitten gets better but the person who sold them to you is disgusting and all you’ve done is give her money so she carries on doing this exact same thing to other animals/ buyers.

The point is, if people didn't keep buying animals from random people they meet on the internet, these "breeders" wouldn't breed them in the first place

Totally agree, Gumtree is heartbreaking at the moment, so many cats and dogs being sold at huge prices by greedy humans. :(

Update so kitty is improved slightly today. She is eating her food from the vet so well. I am so happy she is less snotty too and diarrhea has stopped. Vet is happier with her but she is very weak and frail. Another check up Friday just for peace of mind and to make sure she is still on the right path. The vet phoned the lady I bought her off. He wanted more information about what exactly she had been fed. What she was eating etc and she spoke to him on the phone accepted that she was responsible for changing the kitties diet and ignoring her stomach problems thinking that she would be fine Anyway after finding out she is a registered breeder herself today and she breeds sausage dogs I have decided to report them both. The vet has taken over this and evidence has been gathered. She did actually apologise and paid my vet bill today. Not that it makes a difference she is only doing it out of fear for her litter of pups thst is due. I have learnt a very valuable lesson and am making it my mission to make sure she recovers from this awful situation that I have put her in as well. I just honestly thought she came from a good place. I have looked at a few kittens over the past few weeks and they weren't right no proper paperwork no health checks etc. I left them there She just really pulled on my heart strings. Plus not that I have to justify myself to anyone but yes I have had 3 sphynx cats in the past 10 years all older cats that needed a new home. This is the first time I have ever owned a kitten! So maybe I was to naive but trust me this is not an experience I will ever want again. I have not slept a wink since last Friday and all I want is to see that baby walk and be well enough to run and play.

Good to hear the kitten is getting better. I hope it continues to improve over the next few days.

Don't beat yourself up over this. What's done is done and you will be careful to avoid a similar situation in future. I am glad the kitten came to you and is now getting proper care rather than suffering with its last owner, even though it is causing you sleepless nights!

All the best for the wee kitten: I hope it does well and turns into a strong cat! :-)

Pleased to hear kitty seems to be turning a corner. Despite the less than ideal circumstances in which you became the owner, it seems that it may have been the best outcome for little kitty.

Pleased she’s doing well.

Once she’s a little better will you post kitten pics please thanks

You sound like a good pet owner who's had some bad luck. Unfortunately this kind of experience is common - new pets just home and then "start with" diarrhoea which turns out to be severe. I don't think you can do a lot now as it will be their word against yours as to whether the kitten was unwell when sold.
For future reference, when buying a kitten or puppy:

1. Ensure mother has been vaccinated and both mother and babies have been wormed correctly (ask for the names of the products used). Puppies should be microchipped before leaving the breeder.
2. See the mother with the kitten or puppy. Don't buy a young animal from a third party - more than likely there's something wrong.
3. Choose only animals that have been bred and lived in a family home, visit the house and also you should see evidence in photos etc
4. If you have any doubts at all about the health of the pet, do not buy it. Don't fall into the trap of thinking you are rescuing it - you are not - you are supporting the unscrupulous pet trade. This includes things like looking thin, poor coat, pot bellied, fleas, runny eyes, dirty ears, sore bottom.
5. Check what health screening is needed for the breed and ask for evidence it's been done
6. Ask if the breeder can supply 4 weeks free insurance - this will cover you if the pet gets sick straight away. Otherwise, if you buy your own insurance, it won't kick in for 2 weeks. If no insurance provided, go direct to the vet and ask for a check up and insurance cover note - usually FOC and gives protection for that first 2 weeks.
7. If you have any concerns about an animal you have bought or are thinking of buying, please ask the vet for advice. We would so much rather give a bit of free advice to try to avoid problems, rather than deal with dying puppies and distraught new owners!