little cluckers Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 We bought a new dog on Friday, he's beautiful. He's nearly 5 months old and we were told by the breeder that the first family who had him brought him back because they had a disabled son who was scared of him. We were told that he had already had his first vaccination and his second was booked for tomorrow (Friday). When we collected him the breeder said that she had forgotten his vaccination certificate and would post it on to us.....alarm bells rang then. Despite numerous requests by me by text (as she won't answer when I ring) she keeps saying she's forgotten to post it, so today I decided to take more direct action and call the vets directly where he was supposedly booked in. They won't speak to me without her permission, so I left them her number and asked them to call her. They called me back this evening to say that they still couldn't speak to me as it was the first family who had him vaccinated (allegedly), she could not tell me anything without their permission so I don't know if he has had anything done! She did tell me that there was no appointment made for tomorrow though. I have to wait for this first family to give their permission for me to know his history....I'm so angry....he is an absolutely fantastic dog, really well behaved, responds to all commands well etc. We're thinking he's almost too good to be true! My kids are desperate to walk him and I think the longer we leave it the harder it's going to be...we've tried to walk him around the garden to get him used to the lead but it's not going well He wasn't wearing a collar when we got him, so we put one on straight away and he's tolerating it now. I understand Data protection issues etc but I'm trying to be a responsible dog owner and I'm concerned that I'm going to have trouble walking him especially if they make me start his vaccs all over again...which they've mentioned so he'll be almost 6 months before he's allowed out. Any advice please Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 You could always start afresh and ask the vet to do a titre test to check the anti-bodies in his blood, that will tell you if he's already been vaccinated. Then you can start with any jabs that need to be done, worming, flea treatment etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I would give it one last try and then just book the dog in with the vets that he has supposedly seen. The just tell them that he needs whatever vaccinations he is missing. If they can't tell you what he has had surely they can give him what he needs without you having to know what has gone on before Then say that you need a card for when you go into kennels and see what happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little cluckers Posted July 28, 2011 Author Share Posted July 28, 2011 The only problem I can see with asking for his next vacc is not knowing the first families name Chucky Mama, otherwise it's a good idea and I may well just turn up and plead with them Dogmother that's certainly an option - thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 He wouldn't be micro-chipped by any chance? That would make tracing his records at the vet surgery easy. Maybe you should take him along to that surgery and register him at reception as a new dog and say you don't know any history and leave it at that. (In my own personal experience some reception staff can be unhelpful at the times you need them most so wait to talk to the vet). Explain to the vet that the doggie has been seen and possibly vaccinated there before but you don't know his previous owners name. The vet can scan him to see if he's chipped and even if not the vet might find a way of either checking the records or at least he/she can decide on a vaccine programme as they would with any other dog without a history. Its very frustrating not being able to go outside for walks and plays in the park but good for you for sticking with it because you wouldn't want to have a sick doggie and it will be worth it in the end. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Just wondering how you get on...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donna C Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 Alarm bells would ring with me too. If the reason they gave you for giving him up are true and they want the best for the puppy then why aren't they being more helpfull? Something i would worry about( as his behaviour seems fine) is if he's got something wrong with him. Get him booked into a vet and get him checked out is my advice.Let me know how you get on Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chucky Mama Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 To be honest, anyone not forthcoming with a vaccination certificate usually means that they don't have one. I think I'd start again. It wont do the puppy any harm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I agree with CM but i am a little sus, What breed is he? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 I'm suspicious too, what a shame that you can't get any more feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little cluckers Posted July 29, 2011 Author Share Posted July 29, 2011 Right todays update The vets called me this morning and said that the first family had given permission for me to 'take over' Dexters care (he's a labradoodle btw) and she said that he had his first vaccination on 18th July and was not microchipped, I said 'Great, can I get an appointment for Monday as that's when his 2nd one will be due?'. She said that due to Data protection they could not vaccinate without the certificate...which they would be posting out to the first family today who would then have to post it to the breeder who would then have to post it to me.... unbelievable! I said ok so we're relying on 3 lots of post and 2 people posting it straight away. I asked what happens if it gets lost and she said that they would have to start all over again! Is it me or is this ridiculous??? They gave him the 1st vaccination....the first family have confirmed that we are now his owners...what's the problem??? So I rang a different vet and they agreed to vaccinate him (2nd one) on Monday. I will make sure I get the paperwork as obviously he will need it as a record. I am also anxious too (Donna) and won't really settle until I have had him checked over by a vet (Monday 12.30 - I'll let you know how it goes). Oh and the breeder also called me back today (finally) and said that she thought the vets were being a little over- protective too. (she advised trying a different vet) In the meantime he's a fantastic dog...the only damage he's done is burning 2 t-shirts that came in the post and the kids put on the ceramic hob....he then turned it on!! I didn't believe the kids til I saw him do it myself Thanks for all your advice and fingers crossed for monday Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillybettybabs Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Phew, You can now enjoy your new puppy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Henchanted Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 Good to have a happy ending. Just shows that identifying him would have been simpler with a microchip, the vet could have scanned him, found his record and so have known when to do the 2nd vaccination and then given you a new certificate without divulging any of the previous owners details to you. Unfortunately. it is really annoying and quite frankly inconvenient and possibly dangerous, when people try to hide their ignorance and laziness by claiming they are adhering to a law of which they have very little understanding. I suspect this was not the vets decision not to give you the certificate directly, as they do vet things and rely on their support staff to do the admin I bet the vet or vets don't realize that they are loosing business, and it begs the question of the practice, "what other things are they ignorant about?" There is nothing in data protection law that says they could not give you a copy of the vaccine certificate (since they clearly knew his identity by his name ). In reality very few Data Protection cases get to trial because the alleged victim has to prove not only that the law was broken but that they were in some way harmed or suffered a loss because of it. So what a lot of fuss about nothing, on their part......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 What a shame that all this fuss has taken the shine off your first few days with your new pup. I hope that he's healthy and that his ears smell of Weetabix Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasperaliceuk Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 What a palava! but welcome to the world of labradoodle ownership. I have a mini (but he's more medium!) coming up to 4 in October. Is he a standard? Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
