What do I do?

by Sarah
(Crescent City,California)

My husband and I bought a Great Dane puppy about a week and a half ago.She was a good dog and had lots of energy and seemed perfectly healthy.

A couple days ago she wasn't acting like herself and she was crying out like she was in pain.I called the vet and they couldn't get us in until yesterday, but our dog died an hour before we were supposed to take her.

I was just wondering if we should contact the breeder and ask for a refund or just let it go.





Hi Sarah
I'm so sorry about your puppys' death. That is heartbreaking.

I'm surprised that your vet couldn't see you more urgently, especially as your puppy was in obvious distress. If that situation should ever arise again (and I really hope that it won't) I'd strongly suggest finding a 24 hour emergency animal clinic and taking your pet there. It doesn't sound as though it warranted a 'wait and see' response.

It's impossible to say what caused your pups death, but Great Danes are one of the breeds that are susceptible to Bloat, and it's possible this was the problem. A pup/dog with this condition is in a lot of pain and it can kill quickly. You can find more information on this condition (and others affecting large and giant breed dogs) on both my Extra Large Breed Dogs page and the interview with Great Dane Lady, Linda Arndt.

I'm not a veterinarian and I can't diagnose your pups' problem, but from what you say it doesn't sound as though she was necessarily suffering from a contagious, or hereditary condition that her breeder would have been responsible for, or aware of.

If I were you I would definitely contact the breeder and let him/her know what has happened. They may be able to shed some light on the situation. But unless you have a health contract and your pup can be proven to have died from a condition covered by that contract, I doubt you have recourse there. Again, if I were in your shoes, I think trying to understand what happened so that it wouldn't ever happen again would be my priority.

Again, I am sorry that you've had such a horrible experience. Best of luck in the future.