freundhund Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 One of my puppy buyers rang me today, to ask me about the other puppies in their puppies litter. The puppy is now 8 years and 5 months of age! Background, I bred her, I still have her 10 year old father, who is very health other than a small subasous <sp> cyst, I lost her mother, to cancer at the age of 13 years. Together, from this pair I had 2 litters, I haven't had any phone calls from any other buyers. I contacted a few today who don't have any problems. The bitch was desexed at 15 months and X-rayed at the same age for 0:0 hips and 0:0 elbows. She went to her home at 8 weeks of age. Apparently, after being a very active girl for the last 8 years has been very health, but she now has trouble climbing stairs and doesn't want to play in the park as much any more. I have recommended that the owners seek a second opinion with a vet who specialises in GSD's, as the owners local vet states the dog has a neurological disease. I am wondering if the bitch might have a pinched nerve or something. My problem is I really felt that the owner expected me to do something, but I am not sure what. What would you have said and done,please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJean Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) Maybe they mean this: http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/DM_Web/DMofGS.htm I have no experience with GSD or the above - but I looked into it when one of my old dogs damaged a disk during an altercation with another dog. Edited November 9, 2011 by lilli Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 (edited) My problem is I really felt that the owner expected me to do something, but I am not sure what. What would you have said and done,please? I would have suggested a chiropractor but also pointed out, gently, that the dog is aging. And been thinking to myself, WTF? There is nothing you could have done, the dog has been perfectly healthy, they have had her for over 8 years with no problems, now she is getting old. Like us all. Maybe their vet is telling them stuff and they are looking to make a claim on you for vet costs Edited November 9, 2011 by Rebanne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 Do some checking .... then , if all clear, tell the lady honestly that you can find no sign of any neurological problem in the dog's family....and recommend a specialist or other vet. Not much else you can do . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dancinbcs Posted November 9, 2011 Share Posted November 9, 2011 As a breeder, often the only way you ever find out that there is some sort of health problem in your lines is if puppy buyers let you know. This may just be the dog aging but it could be something else you haven't come across before. That doesn't make you liable for any costs but should have you researching to find out if anyone else has had related dogs with the same problem. I would tell the owners that you have never come across the problem before, recommend a second opinion in case the vet has it wrong and ask them to keep you updated. Also thank them for letting you know so you can do some investigating to see if any other breeders have come across the problem. My puppy notes point out that I cannot possibly know about problems unless the owners let me know they exist, so by informing me of any odd health problems they may be contributing to the future health of the breed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freundhund Posted November 10, 2011 Author Share Posted November 10, 2011 Thank you all for your imput, it really helped, me to clarify things in my mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LizT Posted November 11, 2011 Share Posted November 11, 2011 (edited) As a breeder, often the only way you ever find out that there is some sort of health problem in your lines is if puppy buyers let you know. This may just be the dog aging but it could be something else you haven't come across before. That doesn't make you liable for any costs but should have you researching to find out if anyone else has had related dogs with the same problem. I would tell the owners that you have never come across the problem before, recommend a second opinion in case the vet has it wrong and ask them to keep you updated. Also thank them for letting you know so you can do some investigating to see if any other breeders have come across the problem. My puppy notes point out that I cannot possibly know about problems unless the owners let me know they exist, so by informing me of any odd health problems they may be contributing to the future health of the breed. I agree with dancinbcs. Maybe the owners are just trying to find out if there is any history of this type of thing? In some ways it is nice to get feedback about a dog you bred, as usually by this age people would just put anything the dog gets down to aging and wear and tear etc. Most owners would be unlikely to contact the breeder of a 8 year old dog to tell them what was going on or of an elderly dog who is recently deceased to advise the breeder of what condition it passed away with. Maybe they just want to get their heads around what is happening to their beloved dog. They may also have been hopeful of any alternative explanation you may be able to give them? Edited November 11, 2011 by LizT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freundhund Posted November 11, 2011 Author Share Posted November 11, 2011 I have a lot of contact with my puppy buyers, some have had their 2nd and 3rd puppies from me. I must say I love this time of year as it is when I start getting Christmas Cards from my puppies. The oldest of my puppies at the moment is 13 years old, at the age of 5 she moved with her family to Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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