Mary Allen
It is a well-known fact that cheap pedigree cats from the internet are better left alone. But what if an animal from a recognized Swiss breed falls ill immediately after purchase? A pensioner has had the experience and feels betrayed.
An Annemarie M.* from Reiden in the canton of Lucerne made a conscious decision to adopt a Norwegian Forest Cat. “I wanted a natural breed that was as healthy as possible.” In hindsight, that wish sounds like a bad joke.
M. found the right animal with a breeder from the Central Plateau, as she explains: “I liked the black and white cat straight away.” It did seem a bit thin to her at the time of her visit. “But the breeder said that females are always a little smaller.” The 70-year-old pensioner relied on this statement – after all, the woman was a recognized Swiss breeder with 25 years of experience. In addition, the chemistry with the animal was right: “The kitten even fell asleep on my arm,” says M. “I just had the feeling that it wanted to be with me.”
Then, on January 6th, the time had come. The breeder brought M. the cat. “She gave me a remedy to build up the intestinal flora – it could be that the animal gets stress because of the move.” That didn’t make her suspicious. “I trusted the breeder.” But the next day, the animal’s condition deteriorated noticeably. It got diarrhea and also refused food the following weekend. “On Monday I took the Büsi to the vet,” said the pensioner. This immediately put an infusion and expressed the suspicion of intestinal parasites. “When I got home, I immediately informed the breeder by email.” The cat, now christened Hippygschpängschtli, had to stay in the veterinary clinic for four days.
A faecal examination showed that it suffered from the intestinal parasite Tritrichomonas (see box). This must be treated with an expensive special drug that is only available to order. The next three months were very stressful for M. On the one hand, there was the constant wiping: “The excrement was sometimes smeared on the carpet or armchair.” On the other hand, administering the medication: “Giving the capsules wasn’t easy.” In addition to the additional effort and worry about the cat, the costs also increased. The treatment by the veterinarian and the medication amounted to almost 1,500 francs. That’s 200 francs more than the Norwegian Forest Cat cost.
Did The Cat Infect Afterwards?
The breeder’s request that M. pay for these costs fell on deaf ears. “She told me neither the infusion nor the hospital stay was necessary.” She also accused her of possibly having infected the kitten with a virus herself. M. is disappointed: “What’s the difference between supposedly reputable Swiss breeders and dubious dealers from the Internet?”
The case is known to the Helvetic Cat Association (FFH), the largest organization in Switzerland dealing with cats and their breeding. President Alfred Wittich says: “We are trying to meditate.” In retrospect, however, it is always difficult to clarify the exact facts. In addition, the association can impose sanctions against offending breeders. “But when it comes to liability issues, we can’t do anything.” The respective sales contract or general sales law applies here. Basically, animals are traded like things. As ugly as the legal term sounds in this context, the following applies: If the animals are “defective” and the defect is reported in good time, they can be returned.
Bring Sick Animals Back Immediately
Wittich also strongly advises this in such cases: “Sick animals should not be accepted in the first place or they should be brought back immediately.” Because once you have started the treatment, it quickly becomes expensive. Proving afterwards when an animal became ill and which treatments were actually necessary is not easy. In addition, it becomes increasingly difficult over time to give up an animal that you have grown fond of.
M. doesn’t want to give her cat back either. “I’m just glad I made it through.” In the meantime, the breeder has taken a step towards M. and offered to pay 300 francs for the medication and the faecal examination. Just a drop in the bucket for the pensioner – but a start.