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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
sunflowersandbuttercups · 11/03/2021 13:16

Not everyone wants a moggy and that's up to them.

I mean, that's fine, but that doesn't mean you can go and buy a kitten you've never seen before from a random on the internet.

There is also a recent thread on the doghouse where someone did similar and sadly the puppy was underage and very unwell - it unfortunately passed away a few days after the OP bought it and spent thousands on medical treatment.

Sp3849 · 11/03/2021 14:15

Just thought i would update as I know some people are wanting to know. She has sadly taken another very big dip. Still waiting for another update. Rushed her back again this morning as she was feeling cool to touch and alot more lethargic. They rang me at midday to say they couldn't bring her temp up and her glucose was very low. They can't do any tests or much with her until they can stabalise her. She was doing so well yesterday she ate a whole carton of food passed two solid stools. Good urine output so much more alert and then just became extremely unwell suddenly........ Again. I am preparing and have prepared the children for the worst outcome and if anything happens to her I am done with pet ownership I feel like the most awful person in the world right now so you don't need to tell me that I am

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 11/03/2021 14:29

Very sorry to hear this. I do hope she recovers.

CatChant · 11/03/2021 14:33

I am so sorry. I do hope she pulls through, OP.

Glenthebattleostrich · 11/03/2021 14:35

Oh lovely, fingers crossed she pulls through.

No, it wasn't ideal how you got her, yes lessons have been learnt but at least you gave her a stab at being cared for and loved.

AramintaLee · 11/03/2021 14:37

I'm sorry to hear your update OP. Regardless of how I personally feel about private breeders, I'm sure you would love the little kitten and provide it with a good home.

Keeping my fingers crossed for a full recovery.

sonjadog · 11/03/2021 14:38

So sorry to hear her condition has gone down. I hope she pulls through.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 11/03/2021 15:36

I don't think you're a bad person, just naive and maybe a bit too optimistic, really. And I am sorry to hear about the kitten.

But I hope people remember threads like this (and the one about the puppy) when they try and encourage people to buy pets on the internet.

makingmammaries · 11/03/2021 16:03

You do not sound like a bad person, OP. I can imagine the situation with your DS because I have been there. You have been a bit unlucky with this kitten. Sometimes with all the care in the world things go wrong with an animal. I hope the kitten pulls through. Don’t give up on animals but adopt an adult cat next time if you can.

MrsMackesy · 11/03/2021 16:17

Just came back to see how the kitten is doing.

I hear you, OP Flowers

You made a huge mistake, you know that now and have been doing the best you can to put it right. That does not make you a bad person.

Thinking of you, your son and the kitten - wishing you all the very best in hard times and for the future.

Cailleach1 · 11/03/2021 16:29

I think it sounds a bit of luck for that kitten that she ended up with you. At least you're looking after her.

SirVixofVixHall · 11/03/2021 17:51

Oh OP how frightening . Very much hoping that she does pull through, poor little mite.
Flowers for you for doing everything you can to save her.

maddiemookins16mum · 11/03/2021 18:02

@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.

This. I despise people buying kittens, giving people hundreds of pounds and those wankers continuing to make some poor female cat go through numerous more litters. It’s a feckin disgrace.
Mittens030869 · 11/03/2021 18:18

As has been said before, the £1300 is the vet fees the OP has paid, not the fee for the kitten. She’s distraught about the whole thing and has learned a harsh lesson. So no need for more berating of her.

GloriaSicTransitMundi · 11/03/2021 18:56

On the BBC 6o'clock news tonight, item about huge number of people being scammed over buying puppies. Sad that while people like OP in good faith try to give a home to a little 4-footed companion, there are so many unscrupulous people out there over-breeding and keeping the breeding animals in squalor just to get rich. Heartbreaking.

changi · 11/03/2021 19:01

So no need for more berating of her.

Absolutely. She appears to be doing her doing her best to save the poor thing.

Somethingkindaoooo · 11/03/2021 19:16

Aw, OP
I hope she pulls through
😪

magnummum · 11/03/2021 19:39

Thinking of you OP - really hope she pulls through.

Redtartanshoes · 11/03/2021 19:41

You’ve done your absolute by her.
Fingers crossed for her x

EuroTrashed · 11/03/2021 19:42

Poor little mog. I do hope she’s ok, and your son isn’t too upset

LApprentiSorcier · 11/03/2021 19:43

Crossing everything for her, OP.

imalmostthere · 11/03/2021 19:44

I hope she pulls through 💔
Absolutely no need to bash the op, she's done her absolute best for this baby.

TheDoctorDances · 11/03/2021 20:25

I’m sorry she’s so sick OP. It sounds like fading kitten syndrome.

This is very useful for anyone looking at getting a new pet from a breeder. It talks about how to spot unscrupulous people:

getyourpetsafely.campaign.gov.uk/

AfternoonToffee · 11/03/2021 21:03

OP you are absolutely not the most awful person in the world. You have done everything possible for this little kitten, the circumstances aside, had you not re-homed her she would most likely have been left to suffer. You have done absolutely everything you can.

SchadenfreudePersonified · 11/03/2021 21:45

@LondonernotinLondon

She rules to roost now even over my 5 year old boy cat Smile
Oh my word!

SHe's delightful!