My roomate and I originally bought the puppy together he is a pekingese/chihuahua/poodle mix. and ever since then my roomate hasnt shared responsibilities for him. As of financial issues I have been taking care of him. However, Im a full-time student as well as a full-time worker and find no time at all to spend with the puppy he's about 4mo. His heart murmur is a level 3 for regular vets, I havent taken him to the specialist to see what it really is. I really dont want to give him away but its unfair for him not to be able to play and be a dog. What should I do?
2007-05-27 23:10:54 · 11 answers · asked by winonadiana 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I think the best thing to do is sell him, even though it'll be hard, its in your and his best interest, he can get better care that he needs and have a lot more fun, just make sure he goes to a very good home, like somebody you know, because people can be very cruel to dogs
2007-05-27 23:16:24 · answer #1 · answered by frankiethunders 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
At four months already, I don't think it will close with age. It is a functional murmur. You could give him away as long as you reveal it to the person. He will probably live a normal lifespan. He may be smaller than other dogs in his litter. It would not be ethical to sell him. He should be neutered.
I'm sorry you have paid so much in vet bills. Most doctors would have heard it and diagnosed it as functional at the first visit just by the sound. You have spent a lot of money that you didn't need to. If human doctors can diagnose these things by sound, they why does a vet need to do so many tests? If the dog isn't in heart failure then it's functional.
Almost a fourth of all humans have some sort of a functional murmur at one time or another in their lives. Almost half of babies have them and they just heal up or close. Many pregnant women have them and they close after pregnancy. A level 3 murmur is not an emergency or life threatening. The dog will probably live a normal life if he is cared for. He couldn't be a "greyhound racer" but he can certainly be a pet.
He should be neutered and should not bred. He is a pet. If the time would ever come that heart failure became a problem, he should be euthanized. And that time might never come until he is old or never at all. Many, many humans live their whole lives with a murmur. They just aren't able to do super-energetic sports.
I am 45 with 5 children and had a level 3 murmur since birth. It is not a life-threatening problem. Your dog has a whole life in front of him barring any complications. I have never had surgery to correct it, and he can probably live a good life without surgery too. Even if he should go into heart failure in his older years, there are drugs such as lasix or digoxin to help with it. They are not expensive. If the time comes when he cannot function, then end his suffering. But don't give up on him now. If you can't keep him then give him away.
Sorry this is so long but I wanted to add one more thing--- Heart murmurs in pekes are not uncommon. Any dwarf breed is more prone to heart problems. Pekes are a form of dwarfism just like human dwarfs. (nornal size body short limbs flat face) It has nothing to do with the breeder. They didn't know it would happen. Humans chose to create dwarf breeds like pekes, shih tzus, pugs, etc and this is one of the side-effects. Your dog is lucky to be a mix. It probably saved his life.
2007-05-28 00:57:39 · answer #2 · answered by mama woof 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no one is going to buy a dog with a heart murmur. if you take him back to the breeder, refund or not, they will most likely put him down. they'll just throw him out like he's a defective toaster. so honestly, unless you keep him and specifically set aside time to take care of him OR find a no-kill shelter that has room, he will basically die. but keep in mind that those shelters have extremely limited space, and every space of theirs that is filled is one less space for another dog who has no one. that means there will be overflow to shelters that do kill animals, and more animals are going to die.
so i strongly urge you to MAKE time. my boyfriend and i bought a puppy from what we found out later was a backyard breeder (and one hell of a jerk and a redneck, to boot). it turns out, our puppy had/has a genetic esophageal condition that makes feeding him next to impossible (or so they said, it's actually really easy if you just spend a little time figuring it out and being patient). we called the breeder, and he called us liars and told us if we returned our dog, he would be put down. our vet advised us to put him down, also. two vets, actually. we didn't listen. we both worked full time (my boyfriend worked 50 hours a week), but we MADE time.
i broke down a few times, just hysterical. i didn't know how i could handle it. it was not only because of how sad the situation was, but also because of the stress. we had to learn how to feed him all on our own. there was a LOT of vomiting. everywhere. all the time. but we took it one day at a time, and now he is a pretty normal and healthy and happy dog. so, take it from me, just stick it out and take it as you go. have patience and realise that you are responsible for this creature's life, now. nothing else matters. he looks to you for help and love, please give it to him.
2007-05-28 03:24:11 · answer #3 · answered by jessicatron 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't mean to be rude, but, if you didn't have time to spend with a puppy why did you get one?
I would recommend that you find him a good home that can give him the care and attention that he needs. Make sure that you advise the new owner of his health situation.
It is not fair to this puppy to be left alone like this. They are pack animals and not loners.
2007-05-27 23:18:16 · answer #4 · answered by Bea S 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
have ;you notified the person you got the dog from???
also if you sell you need to check teh laws where I live if you sell teh pup you need to give a guarantee and you can still be responsible for the bills.
I would suggest giving the pup to a VERY GOOD home and let teh new owners know as much as you can.
Make sure it's someone who can really spend with the dog and if you are at college-- make sure that whoever takes the pup can have it after college.
2007-05-27 23:28:35 · answer #5 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bought????? bring him back to where you BOUGHT him and get a refund... bring your documented proof that he has a heart murmur.... god i hope you didn't not pay for this mutt.... see what happens when backyard breeders start messing around.. health issue galore
2007-05-28 00:02:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it may hurt but if you dont have the time then i think you will be doing the right thing to give him away to someone who can fuss over him and look after him well. sorry its come to that
2007-05-27 23:14:13 · answer #7 · answered by Nobody 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO............being that busy why did you get a puppy to begin with?.......if you can't affort his medical needs you should give him to someone that can and will.........or trade the puppy for a better room mate..........tyvm have a great day
2007-05-31 22:29:45 · answer #8 · answered by LITTLE_JOHN 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No
If you dont want him you must give him away.
Or you might be held lyible <--- s/p or responible for vet bills
2007-05-27 23:21:52 · answer #9 · answered by Jeana 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Keep your puppy,you'll miss it.Heart mumur's usually correct themselves.Make sure your vet aint trying to rip you off.
2007-05-27 23:22:22 · answer #10 · answered by soulsista20 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋