Hi everyone - my name is Rini and I’m from Southern California. I got a chocolate lab from a breeder I found on Craigslist 3 weeks ago. The breeder seemed kind and I fell in love with the puppy. After my puppy’s first vet visit, I noticed that his eyes were shaking in their sockets. During his second vet visit, he was diagnosed with congenital nystagmus and an upper respiratory infection. He was on antibiotics for the past several days for the infection. I found him unresponsive this morning and can’t get the mental image out of my head. My whole family is devastated. I’m reaching out to the forum to see if anyone else has experienced this type of loss and ask for any suggestions to cope. I really believe I was sold a sick puppy and am angry with what has happened. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else - appreciate your insight.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers and hugs to you and your family. I am sorry I don't know anything about that but wanted to give you my condolences.
I am so sorry! Sending love and sympathey. I thinking of you during this difficult time. Perhaps it may be useful to join bereavement counseling? I know a loss if a pet can be so painful and traumatic. Sending you hugs should you want them. We are here for you.
Hi there, what a sad experience - I very sorry for your loss. Puppies do occasionally die at a very young age but it's not common. And without a post mortem (and even with one) it's likely very difficult to say whether or not the puppy was sick when you purchased him. We can reduce the risk of a puppy having health issues by buying from a reputable and experienced breeder. The best place to find one is usually through recommendation or your local breed club. It would be unusual for a good breeder, however kind they were, to advertise on Craigslist. I've published a guide to choosing a healthy puppy here. I do hope you and your family are feeling better soon.
Definitely am heartbroken Clifford's life was cut short. Thanks so much for your kind words. I agree bereavement counseling should help and am encouraging my family to join me on that journey as well. I've learned a lot from this puppy raising experience. I will definitely do more in-depth research on the breeder when the time is right to bring another dog into our home; I appreciate the links you provided.
I'm so sorry for your loss. What a horrible shock. It won't help the distress but I *think* I recall another poster from SoCal who had huge vet bills for a puppy he purchased. It turns out that in CA the breeder was required to pay some (all?) of the vet bills. You should confirm this, perhaps by looking at the CA Attorney General website section on consumer protection. Our local vet school clinic has a bereavement group that's now being conducted online. Can you check the nearest vet schools for something similar?
I’m so sorry for your loss. I’ve heard of many cases like this of people being sold sick puppies on Craigslist. I myself is why I won’t buy a puppy or anything really on Craigslist. Find a shelter or a reputable breeder. Sad that people do this. Prayers.
