Expert: Jannie Balliett - 6/14/2010

Question
"My wife and 2 daughters traveled from our home in Virginia to rural eastern
Pennsylvania to pick up an adorable 8 week fawn boxer with white markings. Less
than 24 hours of being with us in our home she died while eating softened dry
dog food recommended by the breeder. A dog trainer we hired was with us at the
time going over how to properly handle our new addition. We all noticed Na'vi
coughing trying to dislodge food. When we realized Na'vi wasn't breathing the
trainer tried CPR as my wife held her  in her arms. The trainer tried to remove
the food with his finger to no avail. Na'vi passed out and died.  
Na'vi had noticeable nasal congestion which the breeders vet stated was possibly
due to pine shavings in her pen. The breeder removed the pine shavings a day or
two before we picked up Na'vi. We anticipated the congestion would clear up. She
also had eye discharge which had cleared up before we arrived to pick her up.
Her eyes were noticeably cloudy.
How likely is it an 8 week old puppy choke to death from water softened dog
food?
Could the congestion be a contributing factor to Na'vis death?
In your opinion should I seek a full refund from the breeder?"

Answer
Softened food- like mashed potatoes? That was not the cause.

Apparently she had congestion and eating was a problem and of course, eating too fast and too much at one time as well.

Ask your vet to prefer an autopsy.

I am so sorry for your loss, and it being a baby too. That is disturbing for me, and I know how disturbing it is to you and your wife.

The puppy had congestion problems, and any reputable breeder would not use pine shavings. They are dangerous.

You have a law suit against the breeder. Get an attorney and get your money back.

Buy from a reputable breeder that has fenced yards for their moms and puppies, using grass and not shaving. This puppy was allergic to it and the shavings only damage their sensitive lungs, regardless of allergic reactions.

The puppy had difficulty and then the food had more chance of choking her. Always make sure the puppy mash is wet and slurpy. It must be slurpy until old enough to test with bits of hard puppy food given by hand until tested to be safe on chewing abilities.

I am so sorry for your loss. But you do have a law suit to get your money back.