Demodectic mange and DS

[Linda and Murphy]

My DS and his beautiful 4 month old Weimaranar pup have been visiting the last 2 weeks while he works in New Orleans.

Kona had what appeared to be a minor scrape on her hip when he got here...said he noticed it when he picked her up from daycare the last day. Today it was still the same so he took her to the vet. Diagnosis: demodectic mange, a genetic condition.  The vet said that she cannot be bred (not a problem) and that at least one of the parents had the condition and should not have been bred. This is engineer son that researched breeders diligently.

Three years ago when he was at Purdue he got a "free" kitten from a vet. This was a feral kitten from a cornfield. She wanted him neutered at 4 mos (not immune competent) so DS complied. The kitten immediately began exhibiting neurological signs: stiff neck, light sensitivity,pain. The vet thought the kitten had "strained a muscle" and treated with prednisone. WRONG!  The kitten got much worse and he took her to Purdue Vet School. They did a spinal tap, found organisms in the spinal fluid. (DS was a long way from home and his dad and I had just divorced)  $8000 later, Pascal the Cat is the only known feline survivor of Sarcocystis neurona (like Toxoplasmosis) and has his own paper

 

DS wants to know why he can't get a normal pet.

[Tessa, Ellie and Wheezy]

What an adorable little puppy!!!!   After we brought Wheezy home we found many problems with her and nursed her back to health....which I know the breeder very well knew........But Wheezy is unique in her own little way and we lover her soooo much......she was supposed to be ours.  :)  I hope Kona has a speedy recovery!!!

[Linda and Murphy]

Okay, DS contacted the breeder. My secondhand report is that breeder insisted his dogs didn't have that and it was DS's problem. No refunds or assistance with vet bills.

 

Does he have any recourse?

[Linda and Murphy]

Thanks everyone. The vet said it is treatable. 8 wks worth of meds. (DS suggested I invest in Greenies). I haven't seen what the meds are yet and he was a little upset. I did mention pet insurance.

He was going to contact the breeder yesterday...fortunately he has been talking with him all along. Breeder thinks DS got the wrong pup..the pick of the litter alpha female. (She is definitely not a 3 on the personality scale.)

[BG and Gavin]

That is a gorgeous looking puppy.  Hopefully his condition can be easily managed?

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

Kona is so adorable.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Because he is an engineer....LOL!  His pets are just unique, that is all. Sometimes, those "free" pets turn out to be the most expensive pets of all.  Kona is just adorable.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

What a beautiful puppy.....sure hope he's feeling better soon.  Poor DS.

[cheryl & oliver]

Linda, my son had a dog like that when he was in college.  He got Liam as an 7 wk old puppy, not from a breeder of course, but from a friend whose dog had puppies.  It cost us a lot of money thru the years for that dog, but he did make it to be 14 yrs old, and was my sons best friend all thru school, and his early years out of college and starting his career.  But it is a problem.  Did he call the breeder to tell them?  I would, and I know he wouldn't give Kona back, but maybe they will refund some of his money.  The puppy is absolutely adorable...What a sweet face...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

He is just gorgeous though!