Responsibility of Breeder related to health of puppies!!

[Red Dog Kennel]

I recently picked my GSP puppy from a reputable breeder and only and him home for 3 days before I had to take him to my vet. My vet determined my pup has Coccidiosis and has to keep him over night and possibily two to treat him with an IV with anitbiotics. From the first night I brought the pup home, my 7 week old pup, he had diarrhea. Based upon what I have read coccidia takes about 13 days from the time of exposure to the oneset of illness, and is casued from exposure to the mother's or litter mates feces.

I signed a contract with the breader stimulating I would provide a good, clean, safe environment for the pup and in turn the breeder was selling me a dog free from health problems. So my question is, what is the responsibility of the breeder realted to my situation? Should he pay some or all of the expense to get the dog healthy again, or what. It seems like he did not fulfill his part of the contract to provide me with a dog free of health problems or illness. When you pay $1,000 for a pup you expect to get a healthy dog, as represented by the breeder.

[kninebirddog]

cocciodosis is simple treatment is about a 5-7 day regime of Albon even if the pup is pretty down I have seen it quite a few times Had a pup flown to me we had some cold weather she came down with it and was pretty lethargic as she went down hill quick ..went to the vet he gave me the albon sent me and the pup home and 24 hours later pup was almost back to full rotten

Stress can cause it as it occurs naturally in living animals...Most will never show signs Travel for a young pup with a developing immune system can allow the coccida to get a head of what the little body can handle.



Sorry but JMHO your vet went over board with all the added IV and stuff I have never heard of a vet doing this for coccidia before I would find a new vet

As for who is responsible...When I had that one pup sent out and she comae down with the coccidia it never occurred to me to call the breeder but then again I understand what coccdia is and her being stressed to the point of needing attention was my doing I bought her and I had her shipped to me So I paid the bill no questions asked but then again My vet didn't rake me over the coals either

[RangeViewKennels]

We also have a health guarantee in our contract, but it requires you to take a pup to our vet. If you were out of our area it would require you to consult us and our vet so we are not over charged.
As a breeder you can be as clean and healthy as possible. You can clean and disinfect several times a day but you can’t always stop pups from getting into another’s feces as hard as you might try.

[kninebirddog]

I remember the first time I had a pup diagnosed with coccidia I panicked...I thought and blamed the breeder I have since learned we can't protect a pup from everything. Why does one pup handle stress better then another. We could isolate a pup in a sterile environment and it still can show up with mange or coccidia or worms.
They are animals We take care of them. Hopefully we can find vets that are there to help us not just their wallets
You can pet a pup that doesn't have any clinical signs of parvo turn around pet your pup and guess what you just exposed your pup to parvo now some pups immune system are stronger and they won't get it where another pup will come down with it even if they have had a shot or two for parvo in their system I know back east in Oct Nov they had a very bad strain of parvo go around and the pups that had shots got over it quicker versus pups that didn't have any shots those pups struggled and had a higher rate of death.

If we panicked over ever little bacteria and virus and germ out there we would never leave our homes.

If the breeder let the pup leave and it was already showing clinical signs at that point shame on the breeder but it sounds like you got a pup that was healthy and the stress of being separated and travel let the coccidia get the upper hold and the worst part you had a vet go over board on treatment...Personally it sounds like the vet tried to treat for parvo which treating for parvo when a pup has coccidia the pup is not going to get better till it gets albon in the system treatments are very different so began parvo treatment and when that test showed up negative they then treated for coccdia when they got a stool sample...Parvo test do not take long if the vet has a snap tests in the office and all they have to do is insert a swab up the rectum and in about 10 minutes they will know of the pup is parvo positive coccdia they have to have a fecal sample to float. One of my back up vets on the road when he has a pup with coccidia come in he also treats for girardia at the same time by mixing flagyl in with the Albon as the flagyl will also help with the intestinal irritation that was caused by the coccidia getting the upper hand.

Go ahead call your breeder let them know.. But I wouldn't expect the breeder to cover the vet bill outside of maybe the albon to treat what the puppy did succumb to..and I would seek another vet. I find small town vets and vets that also deal with large animals or vets that they themselves hunt or own dogs to be better about cost effective treatments of dogs plus even better priced


from Foster Smith

Coccidia (Coccidiosis): A Cause of Diarrhea
Race Foster, DVM
Marty Smith, DVM
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


What are coccidia?


Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).

In dogs and cats, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the species most often encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects.

How are coccidia transmitted?

A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within their intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.

From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not.

What are the symptoms of coccidiosis?

The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.

Most infected puppies encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.

What are the risks?

Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.

What is the treatment of coccidiosis?

It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. Remember, the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home.

Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon®) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen®) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms.

How is coccidiosis prevented or controlled?

Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water, or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing.

Cockroaches and flies can mechanically carry coccidia from one place to another. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when killed and eaten by a dog, for instance, can infect the dog. Therefore, insect and rodent control is very important in preventing coccidiosis.

The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.

[Whispering Hills]

A breeder's responsibility comes in two forms:
One is his legal responsibility to perform to the specific terms of your sale agreement, and to not deliberately or negligently misrepresent himself or the puppies he sells. A good sale contract covers details like this.
The other is an ethical responsibility to make every reasonable effort possible to act "in good faith". "Good faith" is a legal term, but it is subjective and circumstancial, therefor enforceable at the discretion of any individual court...

That said, if your contract didn't specify the puppy would be free of bacterial infestation, you don't have recourse unless you could prove the breeder knew the pup had coccidia. Big help, huh?

Coccidia is nearly impossible to irradicate from a kennel. It can live in the ground for years - especially in high moisture climates. It is not necessarily the result or symptom of the kennel not being properly kept. For that reason, a knowledgeable breeder who isn't looking to cut corners on the care of his adults and puppies will typically treat every new litter with sulfadimethoxine as a routine preventive measure. It's best to prevent the onset of coccidia rather than treat a bacterial infestation. Coccidiosis can kill a young puppy in a matter of a day or two.

So your question about breeder responsibility is pretty subjective. If your puppy had coccidia, it is very likely the breeder has had it in past litters, and therefor should have taken the precautions to prevent it in your puppy's litter. Did your breeder give Albon (sulfadimethoxine) to the puppies? If he did, then in my opinion he did his job IF at the time you took delivery of your pup there were no indications. If he did not, then my opinion is that he should have, and he was negligent for not doing it. I would ask him to share the cost of your vet visit. But if he was cutting corners to begin with, expect him to refuse.

Word of mouth reputation is everything in the dog business. Would you recommend this breeder to a friend? Ask him if your recommendation is important to him. Be polite and non-threatening, but most of all, be glad your pup is okay now. If he isn't willing to make things right for you, don't do business with him again.

Jeff Jennings
Whispering Hills Kennels

NOT affiliated in any way with the MO puppy mill using my name