Puppy Mill Breeder or Way Overpriced Vet or Both?

by Renee M. Marcelle
(San Rafael, CA)

I just bought 2 "retired" female Cotons from a breeder in No. CA. June 30,2012. Today July 10, one dog needed and had 6 extactions including large mollars and the other one had 5 pulled. They turn 7 next month. The last tooth cleaning was March of 2011.


One girl has stage 2-3 luxating patella too although in it's first year it was certified not to have it. A local Vet in SF Bay area estimated 5 grand, ($2500) for extractions (she only estimated 3 per dog) $875 TO UPDATE LOCAL AREA VACCINES, heart worm meds and flea treatment AND SHE WAS GOING TO GET BACK TO ME RE THE ORTHOPEDIC'S COST FOR THE LEG.

I TOLD HER I COULDN'T AFFORD IT..SHE RECOMMENDED I TAKE THE DOGS TO THE HUMANE SOCIETY rather than to return the dogs to the breeder because she felt they would treat the dogs medical issues and put in good homes, but that it would be a shame to return them to the same negligent abusive home.. I told the Breeder and she said it was a rip-off vet. Who is correct. What to do.?

I took the dogs to their former pet hospital who did the teeth for 1/2 the cost estimated but it was a 3 hour drive one way, back to neighborhood where the breeder lives.

Who is cheating the most, if at all?



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Aug 14, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Renee
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

Just a hello & wondering how all is going? Just wanted to say I was thinking about u.
Jul 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		PS
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

From an ACC breeder u can also purchase retired & pet quality which the breeder will list on their sites found at the state directory. I know this does not help when we adopt from organizations but Thank u when u when u can adopt.
Jul 22, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Health Fund Details are @americancotonclub.com
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

June 12, 2012
In June 2011 the American Coton Club created a Health Testing Fund for ACC Code of Ethics Breeders. One year later we are proud to announce that the Health Testing Fund for Bandera’s Neonatal Ataxia (BNAt) DNA testing of the Coton de Tulear has been extended to all Coton de Tulear breeders!

I hope u do not mind me taking advantage of ur Title "Puppy Mill Breeders" to post this. While reading one of my dog magazines this spiked my interest to check into it for our Cotons.

Hopefully any new requests to a breeder out their is to, 1st show verification that they participate with the American Coton Club (ACC code of Ethics breeders) with this program. This will insure the health of the pets we purchase in case of future litters. This breed is not cheap & we need to hold all breeders to a high standard for Peace of Mind.

U can go to the ACC code of ethics directory to find the ones listed for ur state.

Jul 18, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		breeder q.
by: Renee

Yes, We should talk real time or email renee@marinlaw.biz
Jul 18, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Breeder in N. CA
by: mascha

Hi,

Was the breeder located in Chico, CA? Just curious as I bought my Coton and an adolescent Havanese from a breeder in Chico. The Coton was a puppy and very healthy. The 8 mo. Havanese was/is very shy and nervous. He had worms too! He's healthy now, but feel he wasn't treated as well as the Coton - just my gut feeling.
Jul 17, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		toot, treat & Release.
by: Renee

Good idea. Will do, thx
Jul 17, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Pudsey the Dancing Dog
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I watched the video this morn. He is a wonderful dancer. Yes it does look like a Coton. On the video the girl was asked what kind was Pudsey & she said mix Bichon Frise, Boarder Collie & Chinese Crested Powder Puff. Quite a mix. U know next time u go the beach take a whistle w/u. Use hotdog slices cut into 4-6 pcs. since it slides down the throat easy. Toot, treat & release them as they run & play. U kill two birds w/one stone as they say. They learn recall to the sound of the whistle & they get to play in the sand. Best of both worlds.
Jul 16, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Water dogs
by: Renee

Coton's are water dogs big time. No we do not have to have everything done by 10:00am(rather 8:00 am there)here. It is pretty mild climate, I am in Marin County near the Ocean, thus the cool air is always near or here.
I will have to check that out,

Did you see the U-tube vidio , very recent where a dog that looks like a Coton won a dance contest with his mom on Britain's got talent. Check that out and let me know if you think it is a Coton. It is pretty cool. So far we haven't even trained these 2 dogs to do their business outside. But of course I have a team of family members who frustrate the training I do. :)
Jul 16, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Water dogs
by: Renee

Coton's are water dogs big time. No we do not have to have everything done by 10:00am(rather 8:00 am there)here. It is pretty mild climate, I am in Marin County near the Ocean, thus the cool air is always near or here.
I will have to check that out,

Did you see the U-tube vidio , very recent where a dog that looks like a Coton won a dance contest with his mom on Britain's got talent. Check that out and let me know if you think it is a Coton. It is pretty cool. So far we haven't even trained these 2 dogs to do their business outside. But of course I have a team of family members who frustrate the training I do. :)
Jul 16, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Swimming
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

We do not have a pool since we live in Bellair their are 3 community pools. Jonah swims at friends & I have an AKC swim vest I picked up at Petco on clearance for $10. about 4 yrs. ago, end of season which in AZ is July. LOL. So he is with me all times.

I do have a soft plastic kids pool that I fill about 3" when we come home from the dog park where he will run around the inside circle get his face wet, lays down then he's done. But luvs the cool down.

As I would assume there like here everything is done early morning & home by 9-10am. He's been to the ocean once for a weekend & ran in & out the edge of the water & was one tired & happy Coton nightly.

On dogs 101 on Animal Planet when they show the Coton's they show them jumping off a pier into the water as if u were watching the Purina Dog Challenge water sports.







Jul 16, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Swimming pool
by: Renee

This is so funny, well at first is was scarey. They both jumped in the pool, bcz someone left the gate open, I was in the front yard talking with a friend out side, I came back and one was trying to jump over the edge and the other found the stairs and was about to climb out,as soon as I got there. I am so glad I wasn't away too long. The dogs were outside around the pool under supervision but never alone. I would never think of putting them in the pool, but I imagine with their weekly bath they should be clean enough. So you only swim with them? How does this work.

They did not go into the ocean. They just ran away willy nilly with out a care in the world and no sence that staying close was a good idea. Lot's of fun!!
Jul 16, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Ocean
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

How did they do with the water? Jonah luvs the water. Unfortunatly he does not get to visit the ocean unless we visit Calf. But he does enjoy the pool. They are 2 lucky Cotons to have found ur wonderful family. Mysterious how life works.
Jul 15, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Thanks guys
by: Renee

We are growing to love them, and them us. Great day on the beach, all 3 dogs running as fast as they could, now sleeping very hard. It's pretty hard not to pour our love out for these guys. I was looking at breeders in AZ too, I have family there, warm regards!
Jul 15, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Bad Breeders w/no Morals
by: Vicky & Jonah (Az)

I am so sorry this has happened to u. I am so glad u shared this with us to vent & I hope if u need to do it again u do. Life can be so unkind my heart goes out to u & ur family.
Jul 12, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Ok
by: Anonymous

Which girl is it? the one who needs all the medical help or the other one?

Can you re-home the one who doesn't like the Lab. Maybe she is more of a one household type. That way you can give the extra to the dog in need.

Just thoughts...

Yep, yep God always has a plan. Trust in it. Ask for help and guidance. It is always there.

There is one more vet I feel that has been overlooked. Look once more.
Jul 12, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Temperments are lovely
by: Renee

However the one girl is not happy with the lab from day one. I have been spraying CALM but I think it is not working.
God always has a plan, and I am guessing she/he felt these doggies needed all the love and attention they will be getting from me.
Jul 12, 2012
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starstarstar 		Quality of Life
by: Anonymous

Sorry to hear about this predicament. It is a hard one by far.

Any time you take in a rescue or older dog from a breeder/shelter there are these instances. At this juncture what is the quality of life? You took these dogs on for a reason. What was it? If you love them then ask for God's help and you may have to put the vet bills on a cc. Especially if the dogs are in good mental states; meaning no other issues to overcome.

If this is WAY beyond your budget, then you must trust that you are the middle man, where God intended these dogs to go, and you must do what is BEST for the dogs, not for you, your husband or anyone else. It will not be easy. Ask yourself "Is it the right thing to do though for them." And you know the answer.

You could try the Coton rescue to see if they will take them, yet they will have to come up with the money as well to help them. That means letting them go as well.

Jul 11, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Coton Rescue is a much better idea than #.
by: Renee

Hi Dalva,
The breeder acts all these problem came up after their last check ups in March 2011.
We could not afford the estimates by the local Vet, we did the teeth already and now we will drive Althea up North one more time for the 2-3 Luxating Patella. The estimate for this is 1300. which seems fair.At this juncture we will keep the dogs, lucky my husband fell in love with the dogs, particularily given he was furious when I got them. (We also have a black lab rescue).

Thank you very much for the link.
Jul 11, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		mid luxating patellas
by: Dalva

The fee for any good orthopedic veterinarian surgeon are in the range of $ 1800 and up juts for the surgery and not including the follow up visits. Some vets are qualified to repair grade 2-3 patellas.

This link have good information in that regard.

Issues that may arise are arthritis and other orthopedic complications.

What I am wondering what kind of breeder the person is. No ethical breeder would have left or breed dogs with those issues.

I would talk to a coton rescue group and see if the can place the dogs in homes that can afford those issues.

http://www.ivis.org/special_books/ortho/chapter_21/ivis.pdf
Jul 11, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		spleen
by: Renee

That helps, The local Vet I KNOW, it IS HER OWN PRACTICE. She was off the charts. We spent $1100 for both dogs by driving North 3 hours instead of $2,600.
Jul 11, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Extractions
by: Anonymous

My dogs have needed some extractions and the most it ever cost at one was $1000 for several teeth, at what I understand is a "high-priced vet." I have very high trust my vet as she is someone I have known almost all of her life, and I know that she would never overcharge me, but she does not control the prices because she doesn't own the practice. The problem with the little dogs, and I have learned the hard way, and at my dogs' expense, is that their teeth must be brushed at least every other day.

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