Torn ACL in puppy

[mada]

Hi all. Our 7 month (!) old Spoodle pup has just been diagnosed with a torn ACL (cruciate ligament).  We bought him from a small Spoodle breeder in NSW. Two questions:

 

1. We do not believe this small breeder is registered with any dog association (but is NOT a puppy farm), but that aside, what are our consumer rights and their duty of care?
 

2. Anyone experienced with PUPPIES with ACL damage..... It’s 99% sure he will have surgery.....What type (TPLO etc is yet to be confirmed). As this darling boy is not fully grown (growth plates etc) what are the outcomes like? All suggestions welcome. 

[persephone]

I would not imagine there to be any sort of reimbursement etc due from the breeder , UNLESS there was a health guarantee  covering this sort of thing.  Torn ligaments/sprains/fractures etc happen . They are accidents .

[Rozzie]

You've had the pup for 5 months, can not see how you would be entitled to any recompense. 

[Tassie]

I agree with the other replies.  Unlike other problems .. hip dysplasia for instance, there is nothing that even a breeder who knows lines really well and undertakes the normal range of testing of dogs that are planned to be bred, can reasonably do to predict or prevent cruciate damage.    There is nearly always a significant traumatic component to this injury .. and presuming you've had the pup for several months, activities (such as ball chasing)hich might have contributed to the injury are out of the breeder's control.

 

As far as what you do at this point I would be getting a referral to a specialist orthopaedic vet .. they are usually more aware of the current recommendations for particular situations.   This is particularly so with a pup.   There is a really well informed and sup[portive .cebook group called Canine Cruciate Recovery .

[RouSma]

Sorry to say that even if you had the pup for 5 days an ACL Tear is purely environmental - eg { your fault }

 

I personally would never get ACL surgery on a pup that age ,  you need to take him/her to a physiotherapist / acupuncturist for advice.

Surgery will ruin the growth plates.

It's going to be a lot of work for you to fix this successfully however I have done it myself so it's def possible with dedication.

Good luck , but don't blame the breeder.

Also buying crossbreds are buyer beware..

[Dogsfevr]

Your consumer rights would be zilch .

You would have to prove the dog had an issue from day 1 and I gather your vet never noted an issue at its second or potentially 3 vaccination.

How many times has pup been to the vets since purchase to this diagnosis as it would have shown obvious signs ?
Has the groomer made any comment about the knee clicking or different muscle tone ?

 

ACL is generally injury based ,some breeds or individual dogs can be higher risk .

Most do them running,leaping,twisting,chasing balls .

jumping up n down the bed,car all things Breeders tell pet owners not to do .

 

As to what option no one can say as each damage is specific to the outcome or better option 
 

[moosmum]

13 hours ago, RouSma said:

Sorry to say that even if you had the pup for 5 days an ACL Tear is purely environmental - eg { your fault }

 

I personally would never get ACL surgery on a pup that age ,  you need to take him/her to a physiotherapist / acupuncturist for advice.

Surgery will ruin the growth plates.

It's going to be a lot of work for you to fix this successfully however I have done it myself so it's def possible with dedication.

Good luck , but don't blame the breeder.

Also buying crossbreds are buyer beware..

Buyer beware on any pup purchase. Cross breeding (or purchase) is not the issue, care taken is.