Should I Put This Puppy Down?

[Guest magnum]

Hi Roxanne,

all puppies should be sold with papers even if they are only family pets as there are two types of papers.

I have a very good friend who breeds top class cattle dogs so I do know most cattle dog breeders around.

I would be sending the vet cost to the breeder.....

Good luck with your puppy

Edited January 12, 2005 by magnum

[lcprgf]

Try ringing the University Veterinary centre at Camden. They are probably about 3 hours from you. But they did have a range of specialist vets there at one time. I am going back a few years when I was there on work exp.

But they take the 'specialist' problem cases that other vets won't touch.

More than likely they won't advise over the phone, but you can only try.

Try ringing.... (02) 4655 0777

Not sure how expensive they are. Haven't been there for years. But like I said when I was there, they had a range of rotational specialists to do surgeries and assess difficult cases.

It is well worth it in the long run. Whilst he may improve in the short term there may be underlying issues that could affect him in the future.

[holly]

Roxanne

let us know how Hogan goes on his new diet?

Also, it is comforting that your puppies breeder has backed you with support something that they should do. Regardless of who it is, he is very decent and honourable in doing so and perhaps he didn't realise that the puppy did have some minor dietary problems.

Friends bought a GSD pup sight unseen about 8 years ago from a far distant interstate breeder and from a judge, now this puppy was to be shown, they use to show and breed GSD's about 20 years before that. They paid top dollar, the breeder knew they wanted to compete with the pup and still sent them a monorhid male, the sire was well known then and now to produce one balled dogs, they just said tough when the buyer contacted them.

About vets, some are not aware of various breeds differences as they grow and I remember buying a well bred puppy and at his 12 week vet visit, my then vet asked me if I were concerned about the puppies 'bite' as the bottom jaw sat behind the upper jaw. This is a scissor bite, so I explained to the vet how this bite was completely normal for this breed, the GSD.

The owner of the puppy I posted the pic of was unaware the puppy had growing problems, until she sent me her pic of the puppy in a 'stack' it was when I saw the pasterns and soft ligament, that I became alarmed and commented on it, if I had not said anything she would have been none the wiser.

Edited January 12, 2005 by holly

[Guest Dianne]

Also, he advertise that his dog's are canine council registered. I did not purchase the papers with my pup as I only required a pet dog.

If the above is the case, and without knowing the circumstances and not wanting to shot the breeder without knowing these....

I would suggest that the C.O.E. has been breached here, [please correct me if I'm wrong for N.S.W...but is A MUST in Vic.]

Whether it was a "pet puppy" or not all pups must be provided with registration papers of either Main/Limited Registration.

Only just found this thread.. sorry...good luck with your puppy, I'm sure he will be fine in the long run with good owner care and Veterinary Intervention.

[Roxanne]

Hi there everyone,

I took my ACD pup to a good orthpaedic vet in Canberra this morning. After her giving him the once over, her diagnosis was :

THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH HIM

So thank you to everyone for your advice and encouragement. Heartfelt thanks to Trifecta for emailing me the vet's details.

I have rang the breeder and told him. He was VERY decent about it all and was not surprised with the second opinion after referring to his vet.

I am surprised he didn't ring me and urge me to get a second opinion himself

Oh well, I am just so pleased that pup will be okay.

Cheers

Roxanne.

[Divine Angel]

YAY!!!

[Bouledogue Français]

Looks like you need to find yourself a new vet, thankfully you didn't take the advice from your first vet and put your puppy to sleep.

I am so pleased for you. :rolleyes:

Did the ortho vet suggest what kind of diet to have him on, did she say anything about him being down on pasterns etc... other than there is nothing wrong with him.

Edited for spelling mistakes :rolleyes:

Edited January 13, 2005 by Brigantia

[Steve]

You know what Years ago when we first started with our Maremmas we hadnt been in town long and so we were sussing out the vets etc. I picked up a new Maremma pup and it looked pretty good to me ,fed it on BARF for 4 weeks and then took it off to the vet for its first vaccination Problem was I didnt go to the vet my husband did.

The vet carried on about the lumps on his legs and how it was a true sign of a lack of calcium and husband came home very worried and about $50 worth of calcium and other crap. The lumps were the joints in the bloody dog's leg Ive never seen a dog that didnt have them and if they didnt it would be deformed. So immeadieately I putthe dog inthe car and took itto another vet . Didnt say that a vet had said anything just that I wanted it checked out because I was concerned .

Within 2 hours of the first diagnosis the second vet said the dog was perfectly healthy and didnt need any calcium.

Now if thats not an obviuos case of scamming people who are inexperienced for money I dont know what is .

Im really glad your pup is O.K. This is great news but its got to make you wonder how a vet can be talking about putting a dog down and in a few days its all better?

[Roxanne]

The ortho vet said, No Calcium Tablets, Science Diet Puppy Food for Large Dogs and Large Bones for chewing to develop good strong jaws.

It sends shivers down my spine to think that I was contemplating the fist vet's advice.

Also, I am upset that I distressed the Breeder because the first vet told me to ring him and tell him she was unhappy with the condition of the pup and that it should be PTS. Fortunately, he seems fine about it all, but I feel terrible. :rolleyes:

Cheers

Glenda.

[Divine Angel]

Don't be upset with yourself.

Most people would be distressed to see a puppy in that condition, and as we turn to vets for advice, thinking they know what's best for our pets, we trust them.

Put it aside and you'll have learned a lesson for the future. Don't feel upset or guilty

[KitKat]

I'm glad to hear your pup is and will be fine

Don't forget to keep us up to date with lots of pic's in the photo forum

Kit

[dogbesotted]

Roxanne,

I would like to suggest that you contact the vet who treats my dogs in conjunction with their conventional vet. This vet is a university trained vet who is regarded very highly as a holistic vet as well. A two pronged approach may well work best.

A combination of conventional and complementary treatment. This vet is very practical and down to earth, she also gives lecture etc internationally.

I have 10 large dogs: % are now being treated in this manner ( two for cancer, one for hypothyroidism, one for severe arthritis, and two others get homeopathic threatment for anxiety: two thunderstorm anxiety and one rescue lad who is just a bundle of anxiety.

If you would like her telephone number and contact details let me know.

Cheers

[Cala]

Good that things are improving for you, some strange things can be seen in litters of pups, but it is usually dietary, when it's the joints that are affected like that, and don't forget also that the 'lumps' that can be seen on the front legs are growth plates, that start to flatten out to the same size of the rest of the leg once full size has been attained.

In regards to big breed, yes well that is true in a way, they are a big strong dog in a medium size package and they grow quite quickly, too much exercise too early can cause damage.

I like to keep the weight off my pups, prefering to have them a bit on the lean size, until about 9 months old, then I GRADUALLY start to feed them up. By the time they are mature, I have a dog of the right build and weight.

Be careful with overcalcification it can happen. Stick to the recommended dosage, and don't be thinking more is going to be better! It doesn't work that way.

I bred them for 20+ years. So I should have some idea!

Hope you have many years of happiness with your new puppy.

[Clyde]

This vet is a university trained vet

Which vet isnt? Is there another way for a vet to be qualified?

[Derharv GSD'S]

hi

The pups legs do not look good, it must of been noticebale to the breeder, I recused a gsd a few years ago with chronic OCD at 16 weeks old and with an operation and plenty of care including weekly swimming in a heated pool she recovered dramitically, she would of only had a few years of excellent movement but I suppose you do what you can.

There are so many new products (both natural & medical) on the market you may be able to do something for the poor thing. May be get a 2nd opinion from a vet just to put things in perspective. Good luck