My cousin who was in need of a therapy pet found herself a munchkin kitten - I go with her to pick it up as she needed a ride -- I died a little when the breeder said that will be 1200 - yup all here, thank you! So I get over my shock, this was not even 6 months ago... they just got a 4000.00 vet bill and growing from this kitten as it was vomiting excessively and all thus far that is determined, the kitten had a blockage, nope maybe FIP - but still not certain that it will even live... we live in bc, Canada.. is there any agency that helps with the legality of this? or is it all caveat emptor?
OP - I second Purgatory's question regarding your paperwork. Was the person you purchased the kitten from a "real" breeder or a backyard breeder. I do understand that your cousin has bonded with the kitten - probably almost immediately and it is horrible situation to be in.
First, you have to know exactly what the health issue is - even if you call the person your cousin adopted the kitten from your cousin will be asked this.
We live in Ontario. I do not know what the current rules are but going back a few years, rescues would take in a pet and have surgery or whatever was required to be done to save the pet (within reason) - BUT - the pet would not be released back to the original owners but adopted out. These days rescues are overwhelmed with pets so I do not know how the situation would be handled.
There is also Care Credit if your cousin qualifies. No interest for 12 months (Care Credit can be obtained for either a human or a pet).
But you have to find out what is wrong with the kitten before you can proceed.
Regarding a "therapy" kitten - do you mean an Emotional Support Animal? I really want to know because true "therapy" animals for say someone who is blind etc. are generally dogs.
Thanks for your thoughtful response!!! <3 THe owner is high functioning autistic and this is her first on her own living experience so adulting on her own is a new for her experience. She has heightened anxiety on almost all social functions. The cat, due to its small size is a huge help for her. On the topic of the Kitten itself. I do not know the details of the breeder aside of where it was purchased as I was only the driver and observer. I am going to look into as much as I can to see if anything can be done. As of this posting he is seeming to improve in health. They were not able to entire diagnose what caused it be so sick. PIF was one of the suggestions, initially it appeared to be a blocked intestinal tract. It is so exhausted from the entire thing as this has been going on since monday, that it is not a simple thing for the vet to sort out apparently. I am just furious about the costs and stress for the situation. I am also going to assume back yard breeder is most appropriate term from what I saw.
Thank you again.
no contract was filled out - darn good idea though on that kind of a purchase! i truly was an innocent bystander who gave her a ride to get this kitten. Apparently they are not easy to come by and as I look up about them, they are a bit of a mutated breed. Its disgusting to me that someone can make money doing this sort of work. Wish I knew a way to stop it, this is why I am here asking about it... to see if there are any experienced in the field as whistle blowers or about success stories of health for them. Thanks!!!
I think the bigger issue is if the breeder will give you another cat from the next litter would you give the one who is already loved and part of the family back.
So contract or not it's really a no win.
Munchkin cats have a genetic concern which can manifest in bone issues, I did a quich google search and although an extremely gorgeous animal I wouldn't have gone this way.
While the $4k is a lot of money I would be worried about the cost over the next 10 years. That is the reason I believe in mix breeds, while that alone doesnt rule out lasting health concerns it does reduce that possibility significantly.
Let us know how it turns out, you may wish to look at pet insurance if you anticipate future health concerns on top of the present circumstance.
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Ballroomblitz1 wrote: ↑
While the $4k is a lot of money I would be worried about the cost over the next 10 years. That is the reason I believe in mix breeds, while that alone doesnt rule out lasting health concerns it does reduce that possibility significantly.
Let us know how it turns out, you may wish to look at pet insurance if you anticipate future health concerns on top of the present circumstance.
Pet insurance won't cover any pre-existing conditions, so it would be risky to pay all that money and be told later that the vet bill wasn't covered since it was "pre-existing" .
OP - How is the kitten? Has the vet checked for Lordosis? Was the kitten the result of breeding two short-legged Munchkin cats as opposed to one with long legs and one with short legs?
We used to have Dachshunds (and the surgeries to prove it) - and I know it manifests differently in Munchkin kitties but as time goes on, who knows.
I am concerned though that your cousin's vet does not seem to know what is wrong - perhaps a different vet or a specialist is called for - if you can find one that has extensive experience with Munchkin cats that would be very helpful. Our vets knew a lot about Dachshund disc disease.
It is very hard to take the kitty back if that is even an option which I fully expect it is not. Generally it is love at first sight - well, not for everyone, but it is for us.
Re pet insurance, I can understand why Ballroomblitz1 suggested it, but Bull Dog is quite correct in that pre-existing conditions are not covered. If you are able to get a clear diagnosis of what is wrong with the kitten that is one thing, but without it I wouldn't even bother asking for quotes. If you are able to get an accurate diagnosis, then if you are so inclined that would be the time to get quotes - and one from an Insurer who does NOT! rule out possible hereditary conditions (e.g. Dachshund Disc (back and neck) issues; Munchkin cats various health issues etc.). It is possible that your cousin's cat may not inherit some of the hereditary issues. It is a gamble no matter what and hindsight is everything.
We do have pet insurance with our first claim being at 7.5 years of age. Our dog was too old (and we were too scared) to cancel it (not for our Dachshunds). Our current dog is now 16. But one of the questions asked was if the pet was spayed/neutered. Some insurers do not care - others do and there are many, many health issues that can be attributed by the insurer to the pet not being fixed - diabetes being one. You would have to give the name of the vet who performed the spay/neuter and the date - and the insurer would check with the vet.
Personally I will never again get a pet with very short legs - that rules out Dachshunds and Corgis and a whole slew of others. I am too afraid - of course of Dachshund issues in particular. It is a terrible surgery with no health guarantees - both for the dog and the pet parents. It is awful to live wondering if your pet will have an event just walking down the hall. There are no health guarantees to begin with but you do what you can and hope for the best. But I will forever miss our Dachshunds.
did she buy this kitten in princeton from a lady on an farm , or have the lady meet her in abbotsford in a pickup truck? if so please contact me, I'm a registered breeder and my Vet wants her shit down. I tried to work with her bringing her antibiotics and asking her to take 3 of her cats out of her breeding program due to obvious illness. She did not bother and continues to breed these cats. Help me shut down this kitten mill for good. my friend bought a british short hair from her and the cat has acute upper respiratory illness, herpes and hcm. She is reckless with no regard for the cats she produces, or the people who buy them. Not even for the ones she owns, she feeds them cheap cat kibble and canned food, i told her she should be feeding her females a better diet royal caninin mother and baby pink bag for breeding cats. She does not bother to screen her cats for genetic illness, or viruses. Her cats dont see a vet unless on deaths door because she believes the basic shot and light dewormer she uses is enough. Please contact me and lets see if we can shut this cat mill back yard breeder down. BUYS BEWARE SHE USES THE NAME LADY BUG, SHE HAS KITTENS YEAR ROUND ALL ARE AFRAID OF PEOPLE, AND HAVE ILLNESS YOU WONT KNOW ABOUT UNTIL ITS TOO LATE
From the original post I'm assuming this is a backyard mill, as these kittens go for big money, but a reputable Breeder usually has them Vet checked for diseases, vaccinated and offer a health guarantee.
That is a beautiful kitten but I wouldn't be able to afford vet bills like that.
Rolling the dice, sometimes you get a strong and healthy as a bull, 8 week old domestic kitten from a farmer, who's barn cat had a litter. I guess if the friend can afford the vet bills or is attached to the kitten, go ahead with treatment. If not, I'd say relinquish to the Humane Society (if it's that sick) and get another kitten. Kijiji will be flooded by litters of kittens in a few weeks, with warmer weather.
