Yesterday, Jan 26,
2012, I received a phone call from a home breeder saying
that her buyer had brought a 8-week-old, gold/white Shih
Tzu puppy to me on Jan 25, 2012 for vaccination. I had
told the buyer that the puppy was 5 weeks old and
therefore too young to vaccinate. "I delivered the
puppies myself," the breeder said. "They are 8 weeks old
but the buyer said you told her she is 5 weeks old."
I was surprised as I do not age a puppy so accurately as
being 5 weeks. No vet can do this because it is not
possible to pin-point the exact age just by looking at
the puppy's teeth. There is a range and 8 weeks is
plausible. So, I told her I would check Jan 25 cases and
none of the 4 vets had such a puppy presented on that
day.
The home breeder's message to me:
Dr Sing, kindly assist to investigate the following:
Name and tel of buyer given
She claimed she had brought the puppy shih tzu, female,
gold/white, 2 months old to your clinic appointment on
25 Jan, for puppy's lst vaccination and microchip.
However she had informed me yesterday that your vet told
her the puppy is only 5 weeks old.
I suppose in that instance no vaccination or microchip
done? N what is the assessment for no vaccine for the
puppy? That constitutes to the buyer claiming your vet
said so. If this is the case, I will make report and
take action accordingly.
The puppies were born on 28 Nov 2011. I was the one who
helped my dog gave birth to the puppies. I would like
your assistance to investigate and clarification to this
matter soonest. Thank you.
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My reply to the breeder:
On 25 Jan 2012, none of the 4 vets including myself had
a case of a female shih tzu puppy, gold and white, 8
weeks or 5 weeks for vaccination. I have checked all
cases done on that day. Give me her tel number to verify
with her.
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I have not contacted the buyer yet. This is quite an
emotional issue and it is best not to rush into phoning
the buyer since she had not come on Jan 25, 2012. How to
handle this case since the buyer had stopped responding
to the breeder's phone call?
Based on this case, home breeders who are concerned
about their puppies sold may find it important to give
a paper of birth when they sell their puppies.
TOA
PAYOH VETS
