New puppy with parvovirus

[Brutus]

You did the right thing trying to save the pup. The breeder should refund your money.

[Snowco Labradors]

I am sorry for what you have been thru. There were red flags from day one. A breeder selling a pup at 6 weeks????? No way in hell I would do that.

No signed contract when you picked up the pup............... no way in hell I would allow that.....

I understand your being under stress at the vet when the breeder offered to take the pup back and your reason for not doing that.

But all in all..... I see red flags. I am so sorry for your loss.... honestly never had a case of parvo but I believe it takes time to show up so not sure the pup got it on your property and not the breeders.

I pray you get recourse from the breeder (as it should be) and can move on and find a pup in the future....................

[3ChocMom]

I am so sorry for your loss. If your puppy was sick within 24 hours of bringing her home, there is no way she contracted the illness while you had her. It is curious that the other puppies were fine, but parvo can present in one puppy first and others in the litter a bit later. I wonder if you asked her now, if that answer would still be the same. Years ago, when I was dating a breeder, we had parvo come out of nowhere and kill one of our older puppies (he was 5 months old and fully vaccinated). He died within 24 hours of the first sign of symptoms. We had 3 of his littermates as well, and even though none of them were sick, we rushed them all right to the vet. They all tested positive for parvo, and we left them at the vet to receive supportive care immediately, but they never got sick and came home 2 days later completely normal. We disinfected everything, boostered all of the adult dogs, and never had another problem. So I don't think you need to wait anywhere near 2 years, but definitely disinfect often and talk to your vet about when it might be safe.

[Dragonfly]

Thanks to you all for your condolences and advice. Looking back, I know now I should have listened to that little voice in my head after our first meeting. I wondered if these puppies would have future health issues because they lost their momma the next day. They may all be fine, they may not. I will never know. We missed our Rosie so much, I'm sure I was overcome by puppy fever.

I sent one last ditch text this afternoon requesting a reply from her in regards to refunding my money for the puppy, not the vet bill. She told me to reread her contract, page 1. She offered me the remaining pup, and I declined twice (for fear of another sick puppy!), so contractually, and morally, she did everything she was supposed to. I told her I never got a contract, never signed anything, but was going by her verbal contract (with my husband and daughter present) and text messages from her wanting to bring me the money or pay the vet directly. I told her that any reputable breeder would have refunded the money, and that morally, it would be the right thing to do. No reply.

I dont want want to take this to small claims, but it's not really fair I'm out all I'm out for 1 day. . We will continue to treat everything with bleach, and if the time is right, we will try again, but will be MUCH more cautious, and will probably have to work out a deal for them to keep the puppy longer to be sure this doesn't happen again. Our vet recommended that we make sure any future puppy has at least 2 vaccines, and told us that parvo can stay in the ground for 5-8 months.

Im off off to read the link someone posted about treating the yard. I've sprayed every spot she may have walked on with the bleach solution, and will continue to do so if it might help.

Thanks again everyone. I can't wait until we have a new love that I can come here to share stories and pictures of. I love seeing the pictures of all your babies. . There's just something about a lab. <3. Gotta love them.

[JenC]

You could call the AKC and ask them if they know of any recourse you can take. If nothing else, it might go down in a file about this bad breeder.

[Dragonfly]

I've got the papers to file a claim in small claims court. I requested a refund for the very last time today. The breeder got all testy with me and said I was harassing her, threatening her, and degrading her. I wish I could post our text conversation. I never threatened her, nor did I harass her or degrade her. Oh, boy. I can't wait to go to court and see her once again. *rolleyes*. My text messages prove that she offered to refund my money or pay the vet directly. I told her today that I told her to wait because had the puppy survived, there would be no need for a refund. Right? I'm not sure what changed her mind on refunding the money. Greed? Someone coaching her? I know how awful I would feel if I sold a pup that got sick that quickly with this and didn't make it. I would refund the money. But that's just me. And EVERYONE else I've talked to. Stay tuned.......

[Snowco Labradors]

Good luck in court. I hope you win and get a refund. This breeder should not be breeding, period!

[Maxx&Emma]

Good luck in court. Maybe it would be a good idea to have some breeders that agree a refund is the ethical, reputable and responsible thing would be helpful. If they could include info on the pup being too young to leave mom and siblings and the incubation period for Parvo that could also be helpful. A letter from a vet regarding the incubation period for Parvo is something I would also take with me. JMHO.

Hopefully once this "breeder", ( I hate to even refer to her as such, it is an insult to those that do everything right), realizes you are not going to lay down and give up, she will do the right thing and refund your money. It is so sad this had to even happen to this precious puppy, to you and your family. This should never happen to anyone, it is a heartbreaking and very hard learned lesson.