Previous Owner Won't Provide Vet Records. What Can I Do?

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UnderneathTheStars

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No, he(or she) is full of shit, they can't sue you for custody of an animal that they sold to you, especially with a signed contract as proof that you are now the legal owner. I would absolutely go to the previous vet with the contract in hand and show it to them so they can clearly see the Cat is legally yours, then explain that this person refuses to give you the medical records but you need them for your current Vet.

Infact, if there is anything in the contract that states the Cat was in good health at the time of adoption then YOU have grounds to sue THEM for all the medical bills incurred because the Cat was given to you in poor health when it was stated that there were no health issues. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess this is probably the reason that person is so dead set against you getting the medical records. Do what you need to do to get them.

Harassment, well, that depends on how big of an a-hole this person wants to be, but if you have proof that you were cheated then anything they try to pull on you is most likely to blow up in their face if there's clear evidence that they did infact cheat you.

Is this person a breeder, or did they just charge you for the Cat because they could? If they're a breeder they can be shut down for this sort of thing.

This person is a breeder who sold me a retired breeding cat. I was sent pictures from years ago and whenever I asked for a new picture I was told that they were too busy and would send me one later. I did get one dimly-lit picture the day I was supposed to pick my cat up but I assumed the cat looked sickly because of the dim lighting and grainy picture. When I showed up, it was clear that the cat was in terrible condition. Her nose was ulcerated, she smelled of infection, the top of her head was matted but oddly enough she had been shaved so I could see her ribs, spine, and hip bones. She had a GIANT lump at her spay incision site and it was red and hot. I thought I'd bring her to the vet and have to put her down, to be honest. The contract states that the purchaser viewed the cat and agreed that she's in good health. It also says that the breeder is not financially responsible for any sickness. I signed because I wanted to get the cat out of there. When we took her to the vet she was diagnosed with pretty bad calicivirus, an infection at the spay site which actually started leaking white liquid the night we got her, and she was only 5lbs. We took her home with antibiotics and probiotics. Then, she started having chronic diarrhea. We had to have tons and tons of tests done. Turned out to be IBD which we treat with B12 weekly injections for life, raw diet, and probiotics. The vet said it had probably been going on for a long time. Now she's gained 3 lbs, and looks and acts like a normal cat. But, her gums are always sore and red. My vet thinks it might be stomatitis and so we are seeing the specialist in April to figure out if it is stomatitis and to do FME (full mouth extraction) to the tune of almost $4,000 if it is stomatitis.
 

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Have they stopped being a breeder since then? If not, you should be reporting them as other studs/queens will eventually get into that condition as well since they obviously are shady/don't care.
 

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You, as you just mentioned, have a LOT of health records already in hand.

None of us are in your shoes, or know whether this person would get really bent if they found out in some way that you went over their head and requested health records from the time period that she was with them. I personally wouldn't take the risk. You don't need the extra concern and additionally you need every ounce of your positivity and emotional strength for your furbaby.

I'm sending every good thought I own for you and that cat, and wanted you to know that I'm endlessly grateful she has you.
 
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UnderneathTheStars

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Have they stopped being a breeder since then? If not, you should be reporting them as other studs/queens will eventually get into that condition as well since they obviously are shady/don't care.
They actually just recently stopped and apparently rehomed all their cats. So, silver lining there at least!
 
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UnderneathTheStars

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You, as you just mentioned, have a LOT of health records already in hand.

None of us are in your shoes, or know whether this person would get really bent if they found out in some way that you went over their head and requested health records from the time period that she was with them. I personally wouldn't take the risk. You don't need the extra concern and additionally you need every ounce of your positivity and emotional strength for your furbaby.

I'm sending every good thought I own for you and that cat, and wanted you to know that I'm endlessly grateful she has you.
Thank you so much for your kind words. They mean a lot to me. I think you're right. It would be nice to have them but ultimately, I should do what's best for Mousse.
 
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UnderneathTheStars

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May I ask what they were breeding? I'm just curious.
I don't feel comfortable saying on the thread just in case I've already given enough information for this person to be identified. Could you PM me? :)
 

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I don't feel comfortable saying on the thread just in case I've already given enough information for this person to be identified. Could you PM me? :)
Done.

Although the amount of information already given would be more than enough for them to ID you. :kitty:
 
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UnderneathTheStars

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Done.

Although the amount of information already given would be more than enough for them to ID you. :kitty:
Oh I meant that I don't want anyone to identify who the breeder is and contact him. :)
 

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No idea. I'm probably just paranoid because they threatened to do so before when I told them that I was angry that they lied to me about Mousse's condition before I adopted her. I know you can basically bring anything to court. I have the contract, vet records and bills, chat conversations, etc. So, I'd win but I'd rather not go through that.
They will not pursue legal action against you unless they are beyond stupid, they are just blowing smoke because they don't want you to get the medical records and have proof that she was in such poor health before you adopted her. They're playing on your fears and hoping that your fear of losing her outweighs your determination to get the to bottom of things. They know for sure they'd lose hands down if they did try to take you to court over ownership and then they would most likely be responsible for the legal fees on both sides since they were very clearly in the wrong.

The contract states that the purchaser viewed the cat and agreed that she's in good health. It also says that the breeder is not financially responsible for any sickness. I signed because I wanted to get the cat out of there.
.....Unfortunately, you may be SOL on the medical costs then because of the wording of the contract. However, once you get her medical records you could threaten to take the breeder to small claims court for the medical bills and they may be willing to settle out of court. I'd contact a lawyer to look things over once you get the medical records and see what they think your chances are. Lots of lawyers offer free consultations so it shouldn't cost anything to at least explore the option.

As far as stomatitis I've had experience with that in a Cat I was fostering. She was treated with the Assisi Loop and responded very well to it, the inflammation went down by at least 50% and was showing signs of further improvement when she was taken back to the rescue I was fostering her from. If it turns out it is stomatitis you may want to talk to your vet about looking into that as a less expensive option to having all of her teeth pulled.
 
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UnderneathTheStars

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They will not pursue legal action against you unless they are beyond stupid, they are just blowing smoke because they don't want you to get the medical records and have proof that she was in such poor health before you adopted her. They're playing on your fears and hoping that your fear of losing her outweighs your determination to get the to bottom of things. They know for sure they'd lose hands down if they did try to take you to court over ownership and then they would most likely be responsible for the legal fees on both sides since they were very clearly in the wrong.



.....Unfortunately, you may be SOL on the medical costs then because of the wording of the contract. However, once you get her medical records you could threaten to take the breeder to small claims court for the medical bills and they may be willing to settle out of court. I'd contact a lawyer to look things over once you get the medical records and see what they think your chances are. Lots of lawyers offer free consultations so it shouldn't cost anything to at least explore the option.

As far as stomatitis I've had experience with that in a Cat I was fostering. She was treated with the Assisi Loop and responded very well to it, the inflammation went down by at least 50% and was showing signs of further improvement when she was taken back to the rescue I was fostering her from. If it turns out it is stomatitis you may want to talk to your vet about looking into that as a less expensive option to having all of her teeth pulled.
Thank you! I don't think I'd look into taking the owner to court as I want to concentrate on my cat's well-being. What is an assisi loop? :eek:
 

Talien

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Thank you! I don't think I'd look into taking the owner to court as I want to concentrate on my cat's well-being. What is an assisi loop? :eek:
Taking care of your Cat and taking the dirtbag to court aren't mutually exclusive, you can do both. If you can get any money out of them that makes it easier to take care of your Cat because it's not all coming out of your pocket. If it was me I would at least contact a lawyer that offers free consultation and see what advice they have.

Assisi Animal Health
 
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