I reported this company, AutoMax, to the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs way back in 2003! I provided undisputable evidence that AutoMax actually tudors their "trainers" to manipulate prospective "students" into paying for training that would effectivly guarantee them a job. Now it's 2009 and AutoMax is still in operation and have taken advantage of several thousand more desperate job-seekers.
If you have an experience with AutoMax that you deem fraudulent, contact Donald Golden at the New Jersey Department of Consumer Affairs. Phone [protected]
REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT:
We are sure that many of AJSavannah's clients have received happy, healthy cats. We would never dispute that. And we're sincerely happy for those families. Unfortunately, we did not. You will not find stories like ours on AJSavannah’s testimonial pages, for the obvious reasons. But it’s important that people have ALL sides of a story prior to making the important decision to adopt a Savannah, or work with a particular breeder. This is our testimonial.
First of all, understand that we love our Savannahs; unconditionally. Also understand that we are totally devoted to their health and welfare. Indeed, we have been through a seemingly endless ordeal with the female. She (Sasha) has seen at least 6 different veterinarians at three clinics, including a day-trip to Michigan State University's Veterinary teaching facilities. She has been on every special diet that doctors could prescribe, several cycles of antibiotics, a trial of anxiety meds, and she remains on a maintenance dose of liquid Prednisolone. She has also received shots of Depo-Medrol on each occasion the rodent ulcers or leg sores have become unmanageable with the steroids and antibiotics alone.
Regarding her autoimmune disease: We noted the first symptoms the day we introduced the kids to their new home; day one. She had numerous sores on her chest and neck from a harness the breeder put on the kittens to transport them. It was far too tight for her. She also had a very difficult time eating. She would take a bite, ### her head to one side, and behave as if it was painful to chew. The male (Jazpurr), a cousin to Sasha, also arrived with small hard nodules on the tendons of his rear legs, but they were minor (still are) and didn't seem to bother him (still don’t).
We called the breeder and told her about Sasha’s chest sores and the problem she was having chewing her food. The breeder suggested Animax for the sores and told us that Savannahs will commonly get food caught in between their lips and gums, making it awkward to chew.
Well, the sores lingered on for several days… and within two or three weeks the female was diagnosed with EOSINOPHILIC GRANULOMA, commonly referred to as Rodent Ulcers; puss and lesions on her lips and gums. She was very frail and skinny when we met her. It concerned us. But according to the breeder, their vet was certain that Sasha would develop normally and outgrow her frail nature. Over two years later, she's still a small, frail girl. And our vet, who treats felines exclusively, says it looks like she’ll be on steroids indefinitely.
To all of the AJSavannahs supporters who have rallied to AJSavannahs’ defense, you're fortunate that your experience with AJSavannahs has been positive. I'm confident that your glowing testimonials have much to do with the fact that the cat(s) you adopted don't have the chronic health problems we’ve encountered.
Over a year ago, AJSavannahs did offer to refund $1200 of the $3750 we paid for our Savannahs. But AJSavannahs’ offer was conditional. We would have to pay for the breeder’s round-trip airfare from North Carolina to Michigan and back. And it would mean separating Sasha from Jazpurr. Jazz and Sasha have a beautifully close relationship. Plus, out vets were telling us there was a very good chance that these ailments would subside as the kids got older. Unfortunately, they have not.
To those of you who would suggest that these health issues are environmental or stress induced: We have had three cats in this household prior to the Savannahs; a Somali, an Abyssinian and a Bengal. Neither Bosco, Kibby or Fazzi ever exhibited any allergic symptoms or stress induced health issues whatsoever. Our floors are wood and tile throughout, leather and wood furniture, plus two $900 IQAir hepa- filters that run 24/7 to help with my wife’s asthma symptoms. Any notion that this environment could possibly be any healthier is misguided. Again, we have done everything in our power to rule out diet or environmental factors that may be causing these problems. These are happy cats. About the only stress they experience is when they fight over my lap!
Bottom line: When we decided to spend nearly $4000 to become Savannah parents we looked at many different breeders. We were impressed and highly influenced by the "Quality and Commitment" and Health Guarantees that AJSavannahs markets heavily. Is it too much to expect healthy pets that don’t suffer from incurable autoimmune conditions? Each time we would take our girl back to the vet we would hear, "Have you talked to the breeder?"
No, our overall experience with AJSavannahs leaves much to be desired. It took nearly a year, and several email requests, before we finally received TICA papers. We heard every excuse in the book.
After AJSavannahs requested copies of all of our veterinary clinical records and receipts, just prior to the holidays, it seemed that AJSavannahs might finally show some understanding or compassion, accept some responsibly, and help defray some of the exorbitant veterinary costs we have incurred. We received comments like, “Our vet says you've got the best care possible for Sasha, at MSU. He's a graduate, knows the quality of the school.”, and “We do appreciate the care you've provided to Sasha. If we decide to refund any or all of Sasha's purchase price, that action may impact our existing contract or create an implied contract."
Wait. Excuse me? You’re primary concern is the possible impact on a “contract”?!
Shortly thereafter, we received this, "I'll defer reply til after the holidays. Need to consult our Missouri attorney as well as several breeders who are also practicing attorneys, various states.” This response left us scratching our heads. You have to consult several attorneys?!
That last comment was included in an email we received on Christmas Day, 2009. We never heard another word from AJSavannahs despite several emails we sent them. In fact, they never bothered to contact us until we filed the complaint on complaints.com. Then we got this:
"... we have no moral or legal obligation to refund any or all of Sasha's purchase price."
If you’re fortunate enough to end up with a healthy animal from AJSavannahs, you can probably look forward to an entirely different experience than we’ve had. If Sasha didn’t have these problems, we ourselves would view AJSavannahs in an entirely different light – because AJSavannahs would have supported us in an entirely different manner.
Our experience with this breeder has been a misfortune. And in spite of slick web sites, brilliant marketing and purported health-guarantees, the age-old adage prevails; BUYER BEWARE.
We've attempted to attach a photo of Sasha's hind legs. Her mouth ulcers are currently in remission. If you are famailar with Sasha's condition and can offer any guidance that might help us help Sasha, your input would be appreciated!
Let's try this again... Sasha's sores
PHOTOS CAN BE VIEWED AT:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sasha-jazpurr/
IN RESPONSE TO "Completely Baffled":
"What kind of chronic skin disorder? Is this something covered by and guaranteed in your purchase agreement?"
Please read the preceding post very carefully. It's all explained therein. Veterinarians tell us that Sasha has a chronic autoimmune disease. That means that for unknown reasons her immune system is hyperactive and attacks her normal tissue. This attack results in inflammation, which is aggravated when she tries to sooth it by licking and chewing. From what we understand, a systemic autoimmune disease has some genetic factors which may affect life and mortality. To dismiss Sasha's condition as an "allergy" may be tantamount to suggesting that Lupus (an autoimmune disease in humans) is merely an allergy. (see earlier post with regard to Sasha's diet and environment --- and reference to early symptoms we noted when Sasha and Jazpurr arrived at their new home)
"Most breeders cover genetic defects (that effect the life expectancy of an animal) but I am not aware of ANY cattery that provides warranty for allergies that develop at the Buyers location."
Again, to dismiss this ailment as an "allergy" is distorted. The allergic reaction is symptomatic of the autoimmune disease. Prednisolone (a corticosteroid) is the primary defense in the treatment of Sasha's condition. The effect of corticosteroids can result in serious side effects. The list of potential side effects is a long one.
This photo of Sasha's hind legs was taken on January 26, 2009. Please, if you've experienced anything like this with your cats, or know someone who has and has found anything to cure or relieve the condition, your input is welcome and appreciated. We are aware that autoimmune triggers can be exacerbated by diet and/or environment. Please refer to our earlier post regarding our efforts to modify her diet (based on veterinary advice) and provide an allergy/stress free environment.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sasha-jazpurr/
From Sasha's visit to Michigan State University:
Date of Admission 10/1/2009
Date of Dismissal 10/1/2009
Attending Clinicians Dr. Annette Petersen
Reason for Referral Sasha presented to MSU Dermatology service today for ulcer/lesion on left upper lip and back of left hind
leg.
History: Owner acquired Sasha along with her half brother from a breeder in early November 2007. In late
November, 2007, owner started noticing mouth lesions/ulcer appearing and noticed similar lesion on her
hind legs. Sasha grooms and licks these areas and they appear to be pruritic. The half brother developed
a similar lesion on his leg but lesion was less severe and owner has never sought medical treatment for
the male cat. The lesions have ulcerated in the past and have been described by previous veterinarians as
been eosinophilic granulomas. The ulcers have been treated with antibiotics in the past and Sasha was
suspected of having underlying allergies to either food or environmental allergens. Sasha was placed on
several food trials including Hills d/d Venison and Green Pea, Hill's z/d, raw chicken, home cooked rabbit
etc. Sasha was strictly on the Hills d/d diet for 6 month and the lesions did not go away. Her lesions did
not improve with z/d either and she would not eat the rabbit. The lesions on both face and leg resolve with
steroids and rDVM has alternated between Depo-medrol steroid injections and Prednisolone suspension
(Sasha does not take pills well). Sasha is currently eating California Natural Herring & Potato and Spots
Stew dry foods with Instinct Chicken canned food. She is an indoor only cat and is not on flea/tick
preventative.
Physical Examination
Findings at MSU
Weight: 9lbs. = 4.1kg
Physical examination revealed normal thoracic ascultation and abdominal palpation. All other
non-dermatological physical exam parameters were normal.
Temp- didn't take, Pulse- 200bpm, Resp- 44bpm, mm-pink, CRT
It is easy and logical for the breeder to call other supportive breeders and "satisfied" clients and ask them to refute any unflattering reviews.
03/12/2010 Another injection of Depo-medrol steroids today. We have tried every diet imaginable and done everyting to insure an allegry free environment. The condition persists.
