My puppy has parvo :-(

[Funnyface89]

I brought my new westie puppy on Sunday through a private breeder on Pets4Homes. I took him to the vet yesterday as he was having bloody diarrhea and vomitting - he also stopped eating from around 1 on Wednesday. My vet ran a test and he has parvo.

I phoned the breeder to tell him who denied my puppy had anything wrong with him and said he wouldn't help with any vet costs as the insurance will cover it which it wont as it was a pre-existing condition. I have to admit I was upset and told him he shouldn't be selling ill dogs and I wanted my money back to cover the vet bills. He shouted at me calling me a liar and then said he was cancelling the insurance he had put in place for me and hung up. Luckily the insurance is in place and Petpals told me he can't cancell it as its in my name but still it wont cover these costs.

I am so upset. My puppy is still at the vets and is still being sick and having bloody diarrhea. The vet can't say if he will pull through. Although I dont care what i have to pay I just want him to pull through I am worried about finding the money for the bills. My last westie died in June from leukemia and I only finished paying for her treatment last month.

Does anyone have any experience with puppies and parvo - I really don't want to think of him dying not so soon after I lost my last dog but I know parvo is very serious

Is the vet absolutely sure it's parvo? I only ask because something similar happened with my Westie puppy and the vet took one look at the bloody diarrhea and announced it was probably parvo, started doing loads of expensive tests - and it wasn't! We did lots of research, finally isolated the possible causes (really bad worms and a food allergy exacerbating the internal damage) - and now she's 3 years old, terrorising passers-by outside as we speak. DH was fuming with the vet though!

If it is parvo though, unfortunately the mortality rate is very high. Was the puppy very lethargic? That's meant to be the first indication - ours wasn't, though she was clearly suffering, which is how we figured it required further investigation.

Pets4Homes unfortunately has many unethical breeders, which is why many on this forum will advise prospective dog owners to find their new dog through a reputable, registered breeder.

I'm sorry for what you and your poor puppy are going through :(

I am very sorry that your poor puppy is so ill, hopefully he will be OK. If it helps, I have a dog here that had parvo as a puppy and he's fine now. He's 2 1/2.

I agree that Pets4homes is not a great place to look for a puppy, lots of puppy farmers and back yard breeders on there and very, very few reputable breeders.

Yes definatly parvo we have had the test to confirm it. He was very sleepy on Wednesday evening after being quite alert Tuesday.

I didn't know Pets4Homes had a bad rep. One of my mums dogs came from there and she is perfect - just bad luck on my part i guess also I was really stupid as the breeder told me on the way out if he had any sickness or diarreha to call back and not take to the vets - alarm bells should have rung.

I am glad your dog is well now midori. Vet said to call back this afternoon for update so hopefully he may have eaten and i can go in and see him.

Good luck OP! Will be thinking of you and pup.

My sister's pup caught Parvo as a puppy. He survived it although he is very different dog these days and not nearly as energetic anymore. The vet cannot say whether he would have turned out this way anyway or whether it was the Parvo, nor can he say whether there has been any lasting damage that may cause problems later in his life. He's a happy dog and has a very good quality of life.

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Really hoping he pulls through. Can you report this breeder? RSPCA or something? He sounds extremely dodgy.

Just been to see Rory - he is in isolation to protect all the other animals in the vets but although I couldnt hold him I could see him.

He has stopped vomitting but is shaking alot and hasn't eaten much. The vet or nurse will call me around 7 with an update. Poor little mite looked so sad and I wish I could have held him to give him a bit of comfort .

While I was there the local RSPCA wardon was in with another dog and the nurses had told her what had happened with Rory so she gave me a number to ring if I want to report the breeder.

Thank you for all your kind responses - I am still hoping he will pull through and will be home with me next week.

Firstly I hope your little boy is ok. Secondly why won't the insurance cover the costs? Years ago my mother bought a RAgdoll kitten on a Sunday afternoon and it collapsed the next morning and had to have 2 bowel resections one on the Monday and another on the Thursday ( different parts of his bowel) . They had Petplan insurance from the breeder and they paid up with no problem. Coincidentally the breeder was far from helpful to the point of being disinterested and she is very reputable in the RAgdoll world and still is , so it's not necessarily BYB that are a problem .

As parvo doesnt show any symptons for 6-10 day usually and I first noticed he was sick on Wednesday the insurers will assume it was a pre-existing condition as the insurance only took effect from Sunday when I brought him that is less than 6 days before symptons.

The vet has said he is much the same as when I seen him last and I should know tomorrow if he is going to make it.

I have no advice but all my fingers crossed for him poor little mite. I got my dog from a litter heading to rescue they were not being well treated and the RSPCA dealt with them very severely so i hope your vet does report. My dog was very Ill for a few weeks with simular symptoms shaking, diarrhoea, blood in stools it wasn't parvo but she was in a bad way, she is now perfect and fUlly well I hope your boy makes it x

Hope he pulls through

I have helped a client whose puppy sadly died of parvovirus in similar circumstances. We went through trading standards as a puppy that is sick with parvo falls under sales of goods act. Also when trading standards when delving the 'breeder' involved was actually both an unlicensed breeder and an illegal pet shop - a lot of these people are.
We successfully got my clients purchase price and vets bills covered. The seller was also prosecuted for their unlicensed and illegal activities and was convicted on these charges.
First get on to the trading standards for the area where the puppy was purchased from, get your vet to write a statement confirming that it is parvo the fact that you have a positive test result is excellent.
I hope your pup pulls through my most recent case has survived and gone on to do really well and she had corona virus and c. Perfrigens as well for good measure.

So very sorry to read about your pup. Please will you report this to PuppyLoveCampaigns:-

www.puppylovecampaigns.org/

www.facebook.com/pages/Puppy-Love-Campaigns/202945053081069

I sincerely hope he pulls through.

OP, how is little Rory today? We have been thinking about you both. I keep thinking about his brothers and sisters too, and wondering how they are.

I know that, however this goes, you will be feeling snowed under, but please, please report this breeder to Trading Standards as soon as you are able. If you don't feel up to it, just PM me with details, and I can make sure these are passed on. I can also contact Puppy Love for you.

For anyone reading and considering buying a pup, this case perfectly illustrates why people like myself regularly advise against buying dogs off sites like these. Pups like these are usually farmed in dreadful conditions and health and behavioural problems are very common issues. Westies, like Bichons and other similar small dogs are among the most commonly farmed breeds.

Hoping Rory pulls through. Please keep us updated.

Just checking in how is he today? X

Rory is coming home this afternoon - I am beyound relieved and ended up crying down the phone to my vet thanking her - she probably thinks I am a bit mad.

I am ringing the RSPCA this morning and reporting the breeder aswell as the animal welfare office for that area. I dont think it is worth calling trading standards as they are not a registered breeder.

Thank you all for your support and I am sorry I didn't update until now.

Hurrah!! So glad to hear he's recovered! Brilliant news, congratulations

Funny, that's wonderful news about Rory

I am so pleased for you.

Please, please do call TS - even though this person is not a registered breeder, they are still covered under the Sale of Goods Act, and even if they are not registered at the moment, many licensing officers keep an eye on the unlicensed breeders - changes in regulations, or just a couple more bitches can mean that they do fall inside the rules and have to be registered. They can hopefully follow up what has happened to Rory's brothers and sisters, who I keep thinking about.

Also, please, please contact Puppy Love - they have one of the most extensive databases of dodgy breeders in the country, and are hugely experienced/knowledgeable. Every piece of information you give to them is not wasted, and will be used wisely.

If you would like me to do this for you, I would be very happy to.

Here's hoping little Rory gets thoroughly spoiled on his return home, and is soon back on his feet!

Oh thank goodness!

I am so pleased to hear that your pup is coming home! :)

You could also consider taking the breeder to the small claims court. It doesn't cost much to file a claim and you may be able to get the money back to cover the vets bills.

Wonderful news!

I agree with the posters above that you should still get in touch with Trading Standards. As well as possibly off-setting some of your vet's fees, I think it is worthwhile to make life difficult for backyard "breeders" and puppy farmers.

You would all be proud - I have reported to RSPCA, animal welfare for the area the breeder is in and puppylove.

Trading standards said as the ad did not state the condition of the puppy i.e in perfect health there is not alot they can do but they suggest small claims court so I think I will do that.

I am now off to get my furbaby and bring him home to his nice new bed and toys.

Thank you funnyface, and hoping Rory is soon well again He is very lucky to have such a caring owner.