Yorkshire Pup AKC Genetic Issues please help Collapsed Tracheal?

Question

My pup was flown in from Ohio to Reno Nevada on March 30th and two or three days later I complained that my yorkie had a cough that wasn't normal. This dog was sold to me buy a broker who sells dogs for breeders which wasn't great, however he told me he didn't have it when he left which I thought was garbage. I research kennel cough and everything alike. My dog on the 10th day of being home started coughing worse and couldn't breath. I took him to the vet and because he seemed to be somewhat active I was given Clavamox. It didn't seem to help and a few weeks later it the coughing came back stronger. Again and again the seller told me he's fine. My dog is coughing like a goose, coughs when he is excited or eats, all the same symptoms of a collapsed tracheal issue which is genetic. I've already spent $100 at the vets for just Clavamox. The x-ray will cost $135 if I take him in this week, plus vet fee. My question is if he does have this issue how can I go after the seller and breeder?

This dog was purchased with a visa card. Can I do anything about that?

Answer 1

you cant - there is absolutely nothing you can do.

pure bred dogs have health and genetic problems just like any other dog... in fact, some have more because the gene pool is smaller.

unless your breeder/seller showed you evidence (which would have been fake documentation) to show that those pups did not have that genetic trait before you bought them (which would have made the dog EXTREMELY expensive)....
OR
unless you can show evidence that the breeder/seller knew without a doubt that the dog had this particular problem BEFORE they sold it to you without telling you, then you cant do a thing.

AKC registration means nothing for a dogs health. its just something to show that a bloodline can be traced.
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Answer 2

If you've taken the puppy to the vet and he's been treated for the cough with antibiotics with no improvement, you should get the x-rays. Kennel cough is a booger to get over, if that is the problem. It takes some longer than others. If the pup came from a broker, then he probably came from a mill and the conditions the dogs are kept in are far from ideal.

If the problem is collapsing trachea there are meds to help with the problem. You just need to get a diagnosis.

Now, as for health guarantees: If the broker guaranteed IN WRITING, that the pup was free from any communicable disease or genetic abnormality, you may have legal recourse. There are also lemon dog laws in some states. Usually the guarantees that you get from back yard breeders or pet stores and the like only allow for a trade in puppies. You would have to give that puppy back. Read your contract if you have one. You would probably be better off sticking it out with this pup. It would be better than sending it back to unscrupulous brokers/breeders and would most likely be less expensive that trying to fight it out with a broker from another state. Good luck.

Answer 3

I would say it was kennel cough. Has he been treated for that? Once it's cleared up he then needs to be vaccinated against it.

Thing is he may well have been okay when he left the breeder and picked it up on the plane. I would never reccomend shipping any dog, but a tiny one like a Yorkie pup is at great risk. You never know what any other dog maybe carrying on the flight even though they need a health cert to fly. No matter what the airlines say the conditions are not the best. (I know someone who loads the planes at our local airport)

It could also be reverse sneezing which many toy dogs. 3 of my 4 Chihuahua's do it. It sounds horrible, but does them no harm at all.

Collapsed Trachea is unlikely at such a young age.

Whatever it is needs to be diagnosed and treated if need be.

Dogs can be very expensive for vet bills. Especially toy dogs. I hope you can get things sorted soon for the little ones health and your bank account.

Good luck.

Answer 4

sounds like the dog has kennel cough takes 2 weeks to longer just to clear up and seems to be able to come back even after treatment, it gets so bad that they cough when the dog has any activity. Dogs seems to get kennel cough a few days or over 10 days after exposure. A collasped trachea sounds horrid nothing like a cough and is super loud odd noise that is similar to a banging flaping noise. I have seen alot of dogs who have it none of them coughed just made a noise when they were breathing. Of course the dog could have some sort of other lung problem, there are lemon laws on dogs and to my knowledge if you can prove a genetic defect or the sickness predated the purchase you can give back the dog and get your money back.
http://www.malteseonly.com/lemon.html
also
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/pets/lemon_intro.html

this web site has some lemon laws on puppies ohio is not included nor is Nevada so maybe there is nothing you can do

Answer 5

Some states have dog lemon laws - if this was a broker, you can see what laws - state or Federal apply to brokers selling dogs. If this dog originates from a puppy mill - which is likely if it was sold by a broker, then you probably are fighting an uphill battle to get any restitution or satisfaction. You might then want to eductae others about the trials and pitfalls of buying from a broker - it is never a good experience and I am sorry you are dealing with this

Answer 6

All brokers require that the breeder give all puppies a shot for kennel cough. The kennel Cough shot will often make the puppy cough but it will not be severe like it would have been if it would have contacted the disease. I'm sure with the medicine, your puppy will be fine.

Answer 7

This is why you buy directly from a breeder that you have researched and gotten references. They will typically have contracts that require you to have puppy to vet within a certain number of days after receipt, and will take back a puppy with significant health issues.

Answer 8

Lincoln because Alsatians look really smart