kennel cough or DISTEMPER

[nichole]

I bought my little gut home Tues night, had a check up by my secondary/back-up vet Wednesday morning. Vet said he had a little cold, could be worms, and started him on meds for both. Coughing got worse last night, possible fever, called my vet back this morning. He's telling me it sounds like distemper. I've gotten a second opinion from my regular vet, and another breeder that it sounds like kennel cough. I've stopped payment and waiting for the breeder who produced him to call back. Anyone with experience with kennel cough or distemper please call my home as soon as your able. My heart is breaking for this little guy.
Thank you,
Nichole

Phone number deleted by Moderator - per the board rules, please do not post private contact details on this public forum.

[nichole]

Thanks...he's been on amoxycillan, I may have mispelled that, sorry. The vet, both regulas and back-up recommended continuing both meds. I administered the antibiotic twice daily, and once so far today. The de-wormer once a day. I just have no experience with kennel cough. I read online today, however the only symptom he's showing in mucas/cough. He's very hungry, happy, and active. No diarrhea. He sounds congested, and did spit up some mucas this morning. We're hanging in there.

[nichole]

Thanks for the support

[Bronnie]

My Bella was also a little sickly after being flown to us. She had a runny nose and sneezing. It cleared up after about five days of antibiotics. Hopefully your little one will recover in a few days after being on medication. I know how worried you must be. Please keep us posted.

[nichole]

Positive update. I spoke with the breeder, she's faxing over shot/vaccine info. Also, gave me the name of her vet who administered vaccine and did check-up. He does not have distemper, just a little cough. Thank god!!!! I can pick myself up off the floor now. (she also said I can pay her after the dog is well)

[franp]

If it were me, I would deduct the cost of his illness from the purchase price.

He was sick when you got him.The person you purchased him from SHOULD have taken him to the vet before she handed him over to you.

fran

[nichole]

I'm so excited that it's my overreaction to bad advice from this vet, and that he's not leaving my home...I'll eat the cost of the vet. Normally, I'd be quite upset with this breeder...my husband is kind of dumb-founded. Having them pay for the vet appt and antibiotic would have been the least of their problems. Like I said, now that I know that things aren't as bad as I thought, it's wierd. I'm...OK... He's OK...it's OK!!
I agree Fran, normally someone would be attempting to dislodge something very large from a very small opening!!!

[franp]

Nicole,
Please reconsider.The person that sold you the dog , sold you a sick dog..And more than likely KNEW it..

Unless they are made to be responsible(by making them pay)they will continue to take advantage of people and sell sick animals,

And I would bet that the rest of the litter and what ever pups in the house are infected...to be sold to more unsuspecting people.

fran

[nichole]

Fran, when you put it that way...I plan on speaking to the breeder this evening again (after I recieve the vaccination paperwork from the vet, it's being faxed to my home) and I agree. I'm also made another appt with my primary vet, she may start him on a different med. I will be deducting this from the payment. You made a good point. I'm not the only buyer from that litter, he had 3 littermates. Perhaps they'll do the same.

Also, I'm feeding him Royal Canin for puppies. 3-4 smaller amounts throughout the day. His feeding schedule is a little nuts, but getting better. (the first night every 2 hours, he'd wake me, water and potty) Like I said, now I can get him on a regular schedule.He lets me know when thirsty by going to the spot where I feed and give water, and he just sits there, looking at me with that face.

When not actually on my person ( in his baby sling) he's in his crate.
I purchased a smaller crate, his bed, sleepy toy, and little kong are in there. It's in between the kitchen & living room. Where he can see me and Bailey. As long as the door is open, he's great and comfortable. Close the door, and all hell breaks loose. The kong is his "crate training toy". I placed a little Peanut Butter inside,and this keeps him quite content, as long as the door is open.

He only gets this particular treat in his crate. I did this with my boxer and she did great. Although, she let me close the door! As long as you make them feel safe in there, not like the "bad place" for doing wrong, it's an exceptional traing device.

I welcome all advice, this is my first Frenchie.

[miss heather]

out of curiosity.... how old is your pup?

[Carolyn]

Nichole....I am glad to see that you finally got your pup! Thank goodness George has kennel cough and nothing more serious. Don't be surprised if your pup continues to cough for a few weeks. Kennel cough is a real nuisance and it sometimes just takes time for it to take it's course.

I agree with Fran. Your breeder should be willing to take responsibility for the vet bills.

Hope to hear happy puppy stories from you. Regards....

[nichole]

Hey Carolyn, yes I brought little George home Tuesday night. He's precious...ears are not standing yet. I'm letting nature take it's course. His ears are really big, and flop over. Cute, but I can't wait for them to stand.
The breeder said he was 8 weeks old, whelping date on contract says 6/10.

His cough is actually not as bad as this morning, and he hasn't had a temp. End of his second day on antibiotics, hopefully it's almost over. He doesn't seem to feel bad, wrestling with Bailey off and on. Last night when it ws time for bed, he was still a little excited and restless. All three of us were in bed, and Bailey yelped this really high pitch noise, not quite a bark, but loud, and George laid down immediately. ( She was on one side, I was in the middle, and George was next to me, no biting) It was the funniest thing. She picked her head up, made the noise, and put her head down again. She told him to stop playing around and go to sleep!! He slept through most of the night, one potty break at 4am, then down until 9:30. It was nice!
I will upload some pics tonight.

[Carolyn]

Nichole...don't worry about the ears. I cannot tell you how many times I have laughed hearing from first time Frenchie owners who worry about the ears! :lol: They will go up, tilt back and forth (usually during teething) and then finally go straight up.

Enjoy your pup...

[miss heather]

8 weeks old is WAY too young to have been let go.....
I would not count on this breeder as reputable, and I would not be satisfied with them paying for vet bills.
As fran said, there are other people out there who have purchase too young and obviously sick puppies.

this breeder should be held accountable.

[paulabeans]

Nichole...I'm so glad to hear that your baby is on the road to recovery! I am not sure what recourse you have as far as the breeder is concerned - Fran is the best person to talk to about that. The thing is, now that you have him home, you will do whatever it takes to make him well - whether the breeder pays or not.

I love the idea of a baby sling and carrying him around with you! Is he comfortable in it?

Paula

[GigiMcKeehan]

Nichole,
I am sorry to hear your problems with the puppy. I took my girl when she was 6 weeks old, she came with a package of medication because she seemed to "have a little cold". My first stop was my vet clinic and they agreed but she had a raspy chest, no cough. Your little one is 9 weeks today by my count, those ears should be up in no time, unless he is actually younger.
I decided to write because you talked about carrying the pup around in a baby sling, wish I had thought of that one. I just carried my little girl around in my arms, did not get much done for weeks. Note, being so young she chilled easily in her crate on the floor. I had a heating pad there for a while.
Enjoy your new baby!
Deb

[nichole]

The sling has helped alot. He's SO little, I'm afraid of him on his own, and he loves being held. This way he feels secure, I know where he is, everyone is happy. here is the link:

http://www.rockinbabysling.com/pages/slings_2.html

However, they looked too big, so I made 2 myself, more for his size. A light blue raw silk sling, for outings, and a black one for everyday use/washing.
He loves it!

Yes, he is extremely young. Although, he is very active, healthy appetite, etc. I'm a little angry at myself today. All of the reading and research I did for months, and the minute I got there, I threw all common sense out of the window. He seemed so young. I thought they were supposed to be held on to until 11 or 12 weeks. But, the breeder assured me they were ready to go. I spent time with the father (of George) and little George kept crawling in my lap...so I left with him. There were 2 other Frenchies that were much "prettier" ears smaller and more erect, better stance, size, etc. I was there for 2 hours, he kept coming back to me. The other 3 were playing on the patio. I fell for him. Like I said, today I'm upset with myself. I contributed to bad practice.

His cough is still pretty congested this morning, I have another appt with the vet, my primary vet. Wish us luck.

[franp]

Kennel cough is curable, thankfully.At least your dog was not taken from its mother at 5 weeks and shipped overseas (as most brokered dogs are) to be held for another 3 weeks (required by law) before they are sold.

At least he spent time with his littermates learning how to be a pup; learning pack order and bite inhibition.At least we are not reading another "Piglet's story".

Your part of Ca is FILLED with disreputable puppy brokers. Who claim to "import the best" Puppy brokers import whatever the puppymillers sell to them.And please anyone who is looking to buy a pup;don't believe that any BROKER is any different.

NO reputable breeder sells thru a third party.

Nicole, your dog will be ok. It will be a trying time.But he will be ok.I am sorry you had to go thru this.He sounds like he is a strong , healthy pup.And has a will to live with a good attitude.That is what counts.

[nichole]

Thanks Fran. He's seems to be doing fine. The breeder's wife is telling me that only "this" pup is having problems. Her husband is supposedly livid with her, she babysat her friends Yorkie last 2 weeks, and he is coughing. He must have brought it to their home and infected only "my pup". However, I am deducting the 130.00 from the fee. Which will be paid to them once he is well, she agreed. No mention of any of this at purchase time, nor did I see a Yorkie running around their home in the 2 hours I was there. Also, why was the Yorkie in contact with pups in the garage when I wasn't able to go into the whelping box. Anyway...

So, I found a vet, very near, who see's 6 Frenchies. I brought him in, we're going to continue w/ antibiotics. She will see him, I will keep my other vet for Bailey(boxer), and now Estelle(7 yo kitty) has urinated on my bed. I guess that's how she feels about George. But, I loving having him here...everything will work out. Thanks for the imput guys.