[rachel1978]

I bought a puppy 3 weeks ago and within 13days he was rushed to the vets having a fit, we are having tests done and its looking like it could be a liver shunt,can I get help of the breeder,for the vet bills? I paid £300 for him and up to now in blood tests he has cost me another £200, I am worried that I won't beable to afford his operation if it comes to one, I am trying to get insurance on him but worried that they will say they won't pay out as he has already been ill.

[shazamataz]

What breed of dog? Smaller breeds seem to have a better recovery rate than larger breeds.
Did the vet tell you what type of shunt it was? A congenital problem (there from birth) or a developed problem.

If the shunts were there when you bought the puppy you could possibly be reimbursed vet costs up to the price of the puppy. However I am guessing you are in the UK and laws may be different there.
I would recommend talking to a legal advisor. There are contact numbers and location for legal aids in the UK here: Can I get legal aid?

[Aurora_Bell]

A lot of times breeders will offer a reimburcement of sorts. Have ou cotnacted your breeder and let her know what was happening with the pup? I would also think about askign this question in th elegal section. We have some very knowledgeable people here :) We would just need to know where abouts you live.

[Alty]

I would definitely call the breeder and let him/her know that this is going on. Any legitimate breeder will either reimburse your vet costs or take back the puppy and reimburse the price you paid for the puppy.

Is there anything in the breeder contract? Legit breeders will have their clients sign a breeder contract, and in that contract it should discuss what will happen if the puppy gets sick, or if you can no longer care for it. All breeders I know will take the puppy back if the new owner can't afford vet care or the puppy gets sick.

Check your breeder contract, and definitely inform the breeder that this is going on.

Good luck.

[Fr_Chuck]

What type of health certificate were you given, when was the puppy checked out prior to purchase

[Lucky098]

If the breeder doesn't have a health guarantee with her pups, more then likely they won't help you with vet bills.

There may be a good chance they will help, but don't hold your breath.

You should contact the breeder regardless of the money issue. Find out if other puppies are having the same problems. It could be a genetic problem that the breeder should be made aware of.

I'm sorry you're having such a hard start with your pup.. Definitely something to look into, but like I said, unless the breeder has a health guarantee, not much you can do.

[Alty]

Of course we're all assuming that this is a legitimate breeder and not a byb.

If it's a byb, the OP is SOL.