Our Puppy is ill

We have just been told that our 15 week Staffy, has a very serious heart defect and that we should take every day as it comes as they are not sure how long his life span will be - devastated!
We have been told that it is congenital and that the people selling him would have known when he was selling him. How can they sell a puppy to a family knowing its ill.

So very sorry to hear this

That must be horrible but the vet's advice is good - make his time with you count so give him the very best care and attention to make his life happy, even if it turns out to be short. It's a bad position to be in but think of how terrible it would have been for the puppy if he had not gone to a good home and was ignored or mistreated. At least you know you're doing the best for him.

The same thing recently happened to someone I know, not with a staffie but another type of terrier. They were lied to repeatedly by the seller, sent false photographs of other dogs masquerading as the parents and were taken in. Their puppy got ill on the second day with something like distemper and was put down two days later. There are several people trying to get the details of the seller so they can go and 'have a word with him', as the person he conned has a lot of friends. Hopefully they've succeeded by now although I wouldn't know.

EDIT: Also, when you feel up to it, give full details to the RSPCA and Tradings Standards. They will take it seriously and although they may well not act on it they will keep your information on file in case more reports come in. Conversely, if they already have several reports then yours may tip the balance in favour of an investigation.

All I can provide is my best wishes and prayers. Sorry to hear this x

For what it's worth, my pup has a congenital brain malformation that prevents her from drinking water. Not sure if there is any way the breeder could have known (it's a very rare condition) but what's done is done is done, and once we found out, there was no way we'd have considered giving her back even if they did. try to take solace in the fact that he is lucky to have owners who care for him through this illness rather than being kicked to the curb. X

Thanks for all your replies.
We looked at loads of other puppies available before him and my husband thinks its fate that he ended up with us. The funny thing is he doesnt act like a puppy at all, he seems really old in the head. He was easy to house train, doesnt chew anything and even at 15 weeks walks off the lead. The vet said that its because he seems to know he hasnt got time to waste on puppy things and is making the most out of life. He's already well known in the village!

Bless him!

I'm so sorry to hear that, let hope he defeats the odds and stays with you for some time to come xxx

p.s the breeder should be reported x

He has another heart scan next week to get measurements of his heart. The vets will decide from there, so fingers crossed.

Some friends of the family had a dog diagnosed young with a serious heart defect and she was fine until she was 6 years old, when she got ill and was put to sleep. It was very quick and she didn't suffer so hopefully your dog has a lot of life left in him yet. Regardless of the length of time, IMO it's far better for a dog to have a short happy life than a long miserable one.

So sorry to hear this breeders! Grrrrr

So sorry to hear this, but as others have said make the most of his time with you, and how lucky he is to have found you to take the best care of him. Do report the breeders. Let us know how things go.

Breeders grrrrrrrrr

so sorry to hear this,i hope you get some better news from your vey next week

Sorry to hear about your pup make its life good and enjoy your time.

Cheers

Devastating news. All you can do is make sure he has as happier a life as possible and enjoy every day with him. I really do hope the vet comes back with some better news and that you get to spend some good time together.

heart breaking - my heart goes out to you - we lost our staffie in January, and even though we have got 2 new ones, she is still in our thoughts and hearts daily.

Its beyond belief that someone could knowing sell a puppie that is so ill - money grabbers is all I can say