Pup dies of cat flu; shops defend health of animals they sell

Cathleen Eksteen, of Atlasville, was ecstatic to bring home a male Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy that she bought for R2 000 at a local pet shop, on February 25. The family fell in love with little “Maxi”.

However, about a week later, the pup started vomiting and when it had not recovered a few days later Cathleen rushed the dog to a veterinary hospital.

The vet diagnosed Maxi with cat flu (canine parvovirus). The puppy was in a lot of pain and had to be euthanased.

Cathleen’s three-year-old son, Armand, was with her at the vet and cried and told the vet “but I love this dog”.

“My poor child doesn’t understand and keeps asking where Maxi is,” said Cathleen.

After contacting the pet shop from which she bought Maxi, Cathleen was told it was her responsibility to take care of the dog after the purchase and that she will not receive a refund.

Not only has the family lost a beloved pet but the purchase of the puppy and the vet’s bills have amounted to about R5 000.

• Responsibility

Cathleen believes the onus should lie with pet shops to ensure they are selling healthy animals.

“I don’t wish the pain of losing a beloved new pet on anyone, especially children, so want to warn the community against buying a puppy without being certain that it is healthy.”

According to Boksburg SPCA manager Maggie Mudd illnesses are a common problem when people buy puppies or kittens.

“These animals appear to be healthy but can be incubating a disease which can manifest once the pet has been purchased. You then usually end up with a very sick animal that usually dies,” said Mudd.

Mudd said that the SPCA is not in favour of pet shops selling animals.

“It is advised to purchase young animals from reputable breeders,” said Mudd.

She said although most pets shops give a health guarantee for more or less a week after purchase, many customers only realise they have purchased a sick animal after the guarantee has expired.

• Grace period

Local pet store Pet Masters said it is the owner’s responsibility to ensure the pet is healthy and taken care of after it is purchased.

“Dogs sold on our premises are inoculated and dewormed before they are sold. We have a seven-day after-sale service where the costumer can make use of a vet at our expense, if necessary,” said a manager, who did not want to be named.

Brendan Bouwer, owner of Pets for Africa, also shared the sentiment that the owner is responsible for the well-being of the pet.

“We have a five-day grace period where the owners can take the animal to a vet at their own expense and if there is something wrong a full refund will be paid – if it is within the five days after purchase, of course,” he said.

Puppy World, in Boksburg, also promises customers healthy puppies that are examined by a veterinarian.

“We give the first three vaccinations free of charge,” said Karien van Tonder, owner of Puppy World.

The SPCA, however, said although pet shops promise vaccinated puppies and health grace periods, there is absolutely no guarantee that the animals purchased are not incubating a disease like cat flu.

“People should not buy from ‘backyard’ breeders as they don’t vaccinate their puppies or kittens,” Maggie said.

“This can also be avoided by supporting the SPCA or other animal welfare organisations.

“There are many healthy puppies and kittens up for adoption.”

• Disinfect

Maggie explained that the Boksburg SPCA has a very strict hygiene protocol and all puppies are vaccinated on arrival and then placed into quarantine kennels for 10 days.

If, after this period, the animal is still healthy, they are then, and only then, placed up for adoption.

According to Maggie, this greatly reduces the possibility of homing an animal that will fall ill with parvovirus or distemper.

“Parvovirus can remain within a premises (in the ground/grass) for up to eight to nine months after the animal has died and any unvaccinated animal being taken into this property is at high risk of falling ill.

She added that anyone that had a pet which suffered from canine parvovirus should buy a chlorine product and everywhere the pup vomited or had a stool needs to be disinfected with the chlorine.

“After a puppy has died from parvovirus you should also not get another unvaccinated puppy for at least six months,” Maggie advised.