Puppy sick

[Scully'sMom]

I don't know why Rito's story has hit me so hard - I could hardly keep him off my mind yesterday and today. I just feel so terrible what has happened to you and to him, I know how hard it has to be. If, and when, you feel up to having another pup please go to a reputable breeder. That pet store should be put out of business.

I will pray that Rito gets the help that he needs. Just try to keep in mind that Rito felt the tremendous love you gave him.

[wheezie23]

I couldn't sleep last night for thinking about Rito. I kept checking my computer to see if there was an update. My heart just breaks for you, Sharaegirl, and your family.

Sadly, your story is not uncommon. This is exactly why animal advocates work so hard to get the real story out about pet store puppies and the puppy mills they come from. Good-hearted people like you, Sharaegirl, purchase these puppies in good faith that the dogs are healthy and have come from good breeders, when, in fact, they've come from the most horrendous conditions and are viewed simply as a crop.

When you are ready to get another puppy, (and please don't let this experience deter you from getting another cairn) please take Joanne's advice and find a reputable breeder. We may even be able to help you.

In the meantime, please accept my sincerest sympathies for what you have had to go through with poor Rito. We are a close family here. Last year my 9 month old Zoe was killed and I found so much comfort and support here. I know we can offer that to you.

Take care,

Thela

[toomanypaws]

Gosh, this makes me so sad to read. My heart goes out to you and Rito. I'm not sure what stage of illness Rito is in, but his condition can be treated. Is there anyway the pet store would have paid for his treatment and you'd be able to keep him? I can't imagine the pain you must be going through and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.

[sharaegirl]

Oh guys...you are so sweet, all of you...i am crying reading your messages...I feel so unlucky to had gone through this...i feel so much pain in my heart right now for what Rito has to go through...I keep on thinking about him, about how he has spent the night, is he cold? did they keep him in a warm place? I guess is a silly thing to worry about considering how sick he is. But that is all i can think about.

I told the store manager that if Rito gets better i want him back. As a matter of fact, when he call me back today to tell me my refund is ready i am going to tell him that i will not cash the check until we know for sure how rito is doing.

Yesterday i said to myself i didnt want to have a cairn terrier anymore. After reading some of your emails i realize not all cairn terr have these problems. I just got unlucky. Next time i will not buy a dog in a pet store. I learn my leason. I will get a much younger puppy from a good breeder.

We waited so long to have a dog. We wanted to have a dog when all the conditions were right. We felt it was the right moment. I saw Rito's face in the petstore and instally fell in love with him. We pampered and spoil him so much. Why this had to happen to him...

I dont know how Rico had contracted that disease, but the vet told me that it happen way before i got him, because it has a long incubation period. Is that right?

Thela, I am so sorry about Zoe...

Thanks to ALL of you. You are wonderful. I will keep you post on Rito's condition.

Maria

[Scully'sMom]

I have never had a dog that wasn't mine affect me like this as it has with Rito. I keep wondering how he is, will the vet check him there, and all that stuff.

Maria, did your vet give you an indication that he could be okay if he gets treated properly? If so, maybe you can tell the manager at the store that you won't report him to the Better Business Bureau and the Human Society if he pays for Rito's medical bills. I don't know, I have all these thoughts going through my head so I'm probably not making sense.

All I know if, I'd hate to see you give up on a Cairn. I guarantee you, you will never be sorry. Take care of yourself, okay? I know it's hard but we're all pulling for you.

[Scully'sMom]

I googled Leptospirosis and came up with this link. Maybe it would provide some insight. It looks like it's treatable.

Leptosporis And Your Pet

[sharaegirl]

Scully's mom,

The problem is not leptosporosis, the problem is his kidneys. Either the leptosporsis is too advanced or something else caused his kidneys to fail. Once that happens there is nothing you can do. They are not sure about him having leptosporosis yet, we will have to wait for the results that come 7-10 days. I have been reading about what can cause kidney failure in cairn terriers, some cairns are propense to it, some genetical cause...

I am so confused and feeling guilty for bringing Rito back to the store.

Thanks so much

[Guest Guest]

Maria, don't you go feeling guilty for bringing him back to the store. You have your family, first of all, to worry about healthwise!! That's the number one importance.

Did your vet give you any kind of information as far as what type of medical care Rito would need or is it up in the air until the test results come back?

[Scully'sMom]

That was my post above, I didn't realize I wasn't logged in. Maria, I misread your post way back, I thought he definitely had the leptosporsis. Sorry, didn't mean to add to your worrying.

[sharaegirl]

No the vet basically told me he had very bad news, and that the dog wasnt going to make it. He basically told me he wasnt gonna make it, and the test result take a week or more...I have his bloodwork sheet, if anybody wants to take a look at it please email me sharaegirl@yahoo.es or instant message me with yahoo mesenger, my id there is sharaegirl.

Dont worry about it Scully's mom

Take care.

Maria

[kayharley]

I agree so much with what the other members have said. I found myself thinking about him alot last night and today and to imagine what you are going through...to have that much love and then have no choice but to give him up.

I'm sure part of you wants to leave this painful situation behind you but from what I read from your post, you don't want to give up on Rito. I think that's good. I would make it a point to stay in contact with not only that deplorable pet shop but also with the vet they do business with. It might be a good idea to find out a little bit about him/her too and getting advice from other local vets....many will talk to you on the phone for free.

There are state laws that pet shops must abide by....Along with my sadness over your situation, there is a bit of anger I'm feeling. How dare those people put you through such grief. I wouldn't hesitate to do what's necessary to tarnish their reputation but only after your dealings with them are through.

Please keep us posted.

Sandy

[Scully'sMom]

Boy am I with Sandy on this one. I'm a wuss when in comes to some things in life, but mess with my family, friends, or my pets, and I go for the jugular. I agree with Sandy. After all is said and done, I'd make copies of Vito's test results and I'd send them to your State Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, and any kind of Humane Society/Animal Rights organization I could find.

It is deplorable what they did to Rito but what you are going through is something else. You know, in a way not only did Rito learn what your love felt like instead of living in a crate - but perhaps this experience will have some good come out of it. Perhaps by what you can accomplish when you feel up to it, might save the life of at least another pup and you'll save at least another family from being devastated.

[Guest posting as: Posey]

I am so sorry to hear about your puppy. May God bless you, your family and the precious little dog you came to love. This is very sad.

Posey

[Eliz222]

I don't have anything to add that hasn't already been well communicated. We went through a bad pet store experience too (DH didn't know about pet store pets) so I know a little of what you are going through. I just wanted to give you a big ((((((((((HUG))))))))))) and to let you know that I will say some prayers for you and little Rito. Keep in touch and let us know how you are doing. We DO care!

[CarCarDawn]

Hi! Leptospirosis can cause kidney failure - - - if your pup has this disease the veterinarian can do dialysis and administer antibiotics. I don't know a lot about the treatment but when Riley was operated on for liver shunts - - the vets at Cornell tested him for this bacteria. They exhausted all efforts to determine what kind of malady he had - - - - I too thought Riley would die before he turned a year old - - - but we wouldn't give up on him and neither would the doctors at Cornell.

I just feel so bad for you and all of this . . . . please do not feel guilty about Rito. Sometimes things happen for a reason and are out of our control. I continue to hold you and Rito in my thoughts and prayers. . . . . . . . .

[derecskey]

Has anything, good or bad, happened since your last post Sharaegirl?

[sharaegirl]

PLEASE HELP ME DECIDE!!!

Rito is still alive and according to the store manager eating a little and drinking!!!

The problem is, can i believe what the petstore is saying? Yesterday i called and somebody told me the dog left to the veterinary on Friday, and was still at the veterinary. Today i called and a lady tells me the dog has been at the store, never left to the vet!!! and that he is eating a little and drinking water.

I need you guys to help me out! I need to make a decision!!!!

I need to take in account that the store people may be lying to me. They know i am very emotional about the whole situation. They are pushing me around.

I also need to take in account that the dog has a cotagious disease to humans called giardia, and a possible other desease ( we dont know if he has it becuase the test results will be back in a few days) called leptosporosis, which can be deadly to humans and animals if not treated on time.

They are processing my refund. They need to return the dog to the breeder in order to process the whole refund. The lady told me that once the whole process is done, i will not be able to track the dog, and she doesnt know what will they do with the dog.

I called my vet, i told him about the dog alledgedly getting better. He said it is a good sign, but of course, that the dog can still die any time. He told me that the failure of his kidneys can be treated, and can be due to several things one of them his dehydration. But he is afraid it can be due to leptosporosis, and in that case we will be all at risk of contracting it.

The store will not keep the dog long enough for the results to be back and know for sure he has that desease.

I am so desolated.

If i let the dog go, and a few days from now the vet calls me and tells me that the test came back negative, i will hate myself the rest of my life for not keeping the dog.

If i keep the dog and he turns out he has the desease my whole family can be at risk.

What should i do???

Help me please!!!

[sharaegirl]

Thanks everybody.

[sharaegirl]

Ok...

The part of bringing the dog back home is out of question. I just talk to my doctor, and if the dog does have Lepto then my daughter would have to have a LOT of blood drawn from her, and i am not willing to take that risk.

I am just praying now the dog doesnt have that desease.

Thanks everybody.

[Scully'sMom]

Sharaegirl,

It was good talking to you on the phone, but I sure wish I had an answer for you. There are some many "what if's" here. "If only" you got the test results back before they sent the dog back to the breeder, etc. I'm SO sorry that all this has happened.

It definitely sounds like they are giving you the run-around. I think a dose of threatening to call the Better Business Bureau and possible legal action might help.

Here is the link for the news that I was telling you about. They help to solve consumer problems.

Action News Consumer Help

[sharaegirl]

HI Scully's mom

Thanks so much for all your help.

Unfortunely that link only has PA numbers and i am in NJ.

I called Consumer's Affair Office...no help...they say i dont have the dog anymore and i am getting my money back so there is no case.

Do you have any other idea who i should call?

I really dont want to give up yet.

What should i do next??

[sharaegirl]

I found a wonderful website, i am hoping they can help me:

http://www.njcapsa.org/

[Scully'sMom]

That looks like a great link - even if Rito doesn't come back to, by you going through this and filing complaints, you will save other puppies.

[kayharley]

Definately make sure the public knows exactly what has happened to you and your family!! I'm not usually one to make trouble but I'm in CT and a part of me wants to drive to NJ, walk into that pet shop and smack those nasty people. (sorry so violent but your situation has me upset, angry and totally disgusted)

I think the fact that you made a decision regarding Rito will help you. Not knowing what to do is the worst. I hate to say this because my dogs are my family and I treat them as such, but a human beings health, especially a childs is a first priority. You just can't take a chance and even if he doesn't have lepto, he may end up a sickly dog that will cause you more heartache and pain down the road. I think you have to look ahead now....

Once this nightmare is behind you, please find a reputable Cairn terrier breeder and get yourself a wonderful new puppy for you and your family to love and take care of. And please, please don't feel guilty. You were a victim of a business that operates on the emotions of susceptible pet lovers. Although this situation was probably not done intentionally, they have shown no compassion or honesty.

Good luck to you and please stay in touch....I'm sure there are members on this forum who can help you find a breeder when you're ready.

Sandy

[GIDGETSMOM]

You know what, the more I've read, the madder I've become. First of all I want to say how sorry I am for you and your family that you had to loose Rico.

Secondly, The nerve of anyone to sell a helpless puppy that obviously hasn't been checked out very well before being sold infuriates me. They have jeopardized your family's health and to me that's grounds for doing something legally to jeopardize their business license!

I know it's sooo sad for little Rico to have gone thru this, but I hope that he hasn't had to go thru this for nothing.

Have you contacted your local ASPCA for advise?

Let us know.....My heart goes out to you and your family and baby Rico.