apoodleaday

So sorry for all you've been through in what should be a fun and exciting time.
Best wishes to you and little Charlie for a speedy recovery. Poodle hugs from Lacey and me.

lisasgirl

So glad she's at least coming home from the hospital soon! Believe me, this could've been much worse (distemper would've been AWFUL).

Pinky, Charlie getting sick IS NOT YOUR FAULT. The vet told you that she had to have been sick before she arrived. Believe that.

Have you called your credit card company? Please call them ASAP (as in NOW). Remember you can always choose not to dispute the charges if they require you to return the dog or something - talking to the credit card company can ONLY help, it cannot hurt you right now.

See if your state has any "puppy lemon laws." You may be able to press charges or something similar against the broker you ordered from.

Get the vet diagnosis in writing, including the bit about the dog obviously having been sick for longer than one day. Have the vet print this on his/her office letterhead, with a clear signature at the bottom. Ask him/her to keep one copy on file at the vet office and take the other home with you. Do NOT send your original copy out to anyone, ever - always fax it or mail a COPY of yours. Always always always keep an original copy of any important document in a safe place.

As far as pottying goes, I agree you should put off training at the moment. Do try to feed her and take her outside on a schedule (at least once every hour or every two hours, for now anyway) - it'll make your life easier and actually set the foundation for future potty training (the more experience she has pottying outside, the better).

I'm sorry you're going through this. Hang in there, OK?

schnauzerpoodle

Pinky,

I searched a little bit on AZ's "puppy lemon law" and here are some links that you might find useful.

PetStoreAbuse.com - Pet Lemon Laws
Puppy Lemon Law - Animal Defense League of Arizona

According to the law:

If you do find that a cat or dog you bought at a pet store was sold to you in ill health, you may be entitled to compensation for your veterinary expenses. You must first obtain either:

A statement from a veterinarian, within 15 days of purchase, that in his or her opinion the animal has become ill with a condition that existed in the animal prior to sale; or

OR

A statement from a veterinarian, within 60 days of purchase, that the animal has a congenital or hereditary condition that adversely affects her health or requires or is likely to require hospitalization or surgery.
The statement must contain full details.

If your animal qualifies, the law offers you three options: to return the animal for a refund; to return the animal for another, similar animal; or reimbursement from the pet store for reasonable veterinary expenses, up to the amount of the original purchase price of the animal, including transaction privilege and tax.

Hope this helps.

whitepoodles

DUH ME !!! you are right Arreau,, C for Coccidiosis. I was thinking she may have heard G instead of C and suggested Giardia.. Not a bad idea to do a test for both though just to rule out the 2.

Pinky

I broke down you guys. I brought her home and she is just so miserable. She just lies there looking dead and it's the most heartbreaking thing. I was trying to be strong for her but she won't eat and I couldn't take it..I totally broke down crying in front of her which I'm sure didn't make her feel any better. I called the vet hospital and told them she isn't eating so they had me feed her a mix of wet food with water with a syringe. We're going back to the vet in the morning so they'll see what to do from there. I'm really worried bc A) I need her to get better and B) I can't really afford any further treatment so I'm just PRAYING for a miracle. Today's treatment alone was already $400 I don't know what they'll do if I can't pay for any more treatments for her..they wouldn't just let her die, would they? I haven't called my credit card I was waiting on the vet's diagnosis. She said she wouldn't have gotten that sick with me in just 24 hours, but she could have gotten sick on the way..she said this bc the breeder attached the vet's "check list" of all the stuff they checked on her before she left and supposedly she was fine but I don't trust them. I don't understand how someone could treat a poor puppy so badly and then just sell them. She didn't have to be sick, she probably wasn't even with her mom. She's lost weight bc according to the vet's paper before she left she was 2 pounds and now she's 1 pound. She's so tiny she can't afford to lose weight but she just won't eat for me! She won't even take the Nutri Cal now. I'm trying to cuddle her but I don't think she likes me :( She starts wiggling around and then when I let her go she just goes and lies down..it's like she doesn't want to be held :( This is seriously one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever had to watch. My heart hurts.

Pinky

For the puppy lemon law, would I have had to buy her in AZ, though? Bc she's from Oklahoma. I'll check the links out later I'm such a mess right now.

schnauzerpoodle

Please understand that she's not feeling well. When animals are not feeling well or get hurt, they want to be alone. So don't think that she doesn't like you. I understand this is not easy especially you are looking at such a tiny little puppy getting sick but you have to be strong.

Good luck!

whitepoodles

Hi Pinky :
I hear you and feel so badly for you.. It is indeed heartbreaking.
Tell me what did your vet do for this pup. Did he do a complete blood panel, did he check for Coccidiosis, Giardia. Did he do a stool flotation to rule these two out. I would forget now about the credit card etc.. and concentrate on the puppy first. Once she gets better and you are more relaxed you can tackle the lemon law and credit card issue and the breeder who sold you this puppy.
As to not being able to afford payment, I DOUBT that any ethical compassionate veterinarian will refuse or discontinue to treat your dog just because you can no longer afford the expense. Why dont you cut a deal with the treating vet, leave your puppy at the clinic on IV fluids which I am sure she still needs and have your vet potentially agree to give you a break and let you pay him in installments. If you dont try you wont know.. It may be that he will let you pay him slowly so that you can save and keep this puppy.
Just a suggestion. I know my vet would do this for some of his clients if he knows that they are genuine and honest. Try, you have nothing to lose and I hope your vet is compassionate enough to understand you are not a bottomless pit and your finances are limited and will grant his professional services based on installment payments from you. The most important thing is that your puppy is hydrated. Why dont you get some fresh goat's milk.. If you are in the U.S. they sell goat milk (condensed in a metal can), you can mix an egg yolk in it with some honey (not too much though) and give it with a syringe to the puppy, in the flew. just open the side of her lip and insert the syringe and empty it in the flew between the checck and lower gum and she will swallow. I do this with puppies who are either sick or refuse to eat at times and it works. Dont fret over her.. Schnauzerpoodle is right, dogs who are not well do not want to be touched and have no patience for this.. they concentrateon their pain and miserable feelings. My advice take her back asap to your vet, have him continue her on IV fluids until she gets stronger and is more or less out of danger. He will hydrate her and there is also glucose in the Ringers Lactate solution so this will give her some nourishment and energy as well as fluids.
I dont know what else to tell you, I am curious to find out what the test results are and what tests has your vet done for the $400.00 you have spent so far. Please let us know.. I trully feel for you and I hope all goes well. I know how heartbreaking it is.. I have been there and can empathise.
Be strong.

yigcenuren

Oh Pinky, I'm just reading this all now. I am so sorry for what you are going through. I hope Charlie pulls through but you MUST, MUST, MUST call your credit card company [I]NOW!!!![I] They have people on the phones 24 hours a day. I understand that you feel awful and are heartbroken but you must contact them and start this process ASAP. Perhaps your parents will help you with the immediate bill and you can pay them back. Also check with the vet because some vets under some circumstances will allow clients to do a payment plan.
I wish you could slap this all back in the face of that horrible 'breeder'.
My heart is just breaking for you and Charlie.

flufflvr

My heart just goes out to you right now Pinky. . . you and Charlie. I'm so sorry you're having to go through this heartache. It makes me irate at the people who sent her to you for breaking your heart. Just know that this is NOT your fault, and that the millers will lie to get out of taking responsibility. Since Charlie is so sick, she probably just hurts all over and doesn't want to be touched, which is horrible to watch and worse to feel. You're doing your very best, and that's all you can do. Don't beat yourself up over this. You're being such a good poodle mum, you're stepping up to this challenge, and you've only had her for such a short time. Hang in there, and get some sleep. Sending lots of prayers and positive thoughts your way.
(((((hugs)))))