Bilateral Luxating Patellas And Hip Dysplasia

[~Myschafis~]

People who are allergic to certain dogs may not be allergic to some poodles and poodle crosses. Guide Dogs and other Assistance Dog organisations use labradoodles for visually impaired people who are allergic to certain other breeds.

Best wishes,

Linny

PS I don't think Genevieve was implying that you had insulted her - she was just asking that people not. At least that's how I read it , anyway

I had heard that they do not use lab x poodles any more because they were finding they could not guarantee them to be hypoallergenic and they did in fact shed!

[mygirlruby]

I had heard that they do not use lab x poodles any more because they were finding they could not guarantee them to be hypoallergenic and they did in fact shed!

Well, Ruby may have knee and hip troubles, but she does not shed at all!

[Flat Black]

I'm so sorry to hear about your girl's problems. She has a sweet little face and I'm sure she's lovely.

I hope she recovers quickly from this surgery and that her future prospects aren't too bleak.

We were all beginners in the dog business at one stage or another and have acted without all the information available, so don't be hard on yourself.

Kiss for Ruby.

[Linny]

People who are allergic to certain dogs may not be allergic to some poodles and poodle crosses. Guide Dogs and other Assistance Dog organisations use labradoodles for visually impaired people who are allergic to certain other breeds.

I had heard that they do not use lab x poodles any more because they were finding they could not guarantee them to be hypoallergenic and they did in fact shed!

Hi Mickatie,

No, they still use Labradoodles both in Australia and overseas as Guide Dogs. I know someone in Sydney who's daughter just recently received her Labradoodle Guide Dog.

This is from the Guide Dogs Victoria website:

In Australia, we use mainly Labradors. We have also crossed Labradors with Golden Retrievers, Curly-coat Retrievers and more recently, Standard Poodles, to produce the now well-known Labradoodle. In response to special requests, Guide Dogs Victoria may source other breeds, including German Shepherds from overseas Guide Dog Schools with whom Guide Dogs Victoria has a special relationship.

and another from the WA Guide Dog Association:

In Australia, the Labrador is the main breed of dog used as a guide dog. Recently, however, there has been cross-breeding of Labradors with Golden Retrievers, and more recently, Standard Poodles, to produce the Labradoodle (which was specifically bred for people who have an allergy to normal dog hair).

First cross Labradoodles can shed, but by selectively breeding the ones that don't, they've now produced ones that are fairly reliably non-shedding, and Guide Dogs Victoria alone has trained over 100 Labradoodle Guide Dogs. They mainly use Labradors, but use Labradoodles when people have allergy problems.

Best wishes,

Linny

[Poodle wrangler]

I'm very sorry for the pain both you and Ruby are going through .

It's terrible for you to pay alot of money for a crossbreed with a guarantee, only to find out it's of no REAL help i.e. you and your dog still suffer. Careless breeders rely on owners showing your kind of compassion and MAY (if have some shred of decency left) offer to take the dog back. Most know full-well you're now too attached to do so.

Friends of mine have a dear labradorXstandard poodle who I 'babysat' for 5 weeks. I like him very much. They had a bad experience with their "breeder"- they'd not had a dog before and were given no information about tick prevention. Sydney summers mean ticks+. Their dog almost died with a tick, they were distressed and a $1000- vet bill was all totally preventable. Also, their dog grew much bigger than they were told to expect. They really need to move house to accomodate him better.

Ruby looks like such a sweetie and doesn't deserve this. Makes me & ;) (It's sad stories like yours that make people so passionate in the whole "designer dog" debate).

May I ask why you wanted to get "something different" from a poodle? I looked into poodleXs too, as the OH didn't like the look of poodles. Too many dodgy breeders and misinformation. I now have a black, miniature poodle who's great and I've never regretted getting a purebred dog. He looks kind of shaggy/ sporty, not a daggy pet poodle trim. The OH is a total convert. There are so many sad stories about owners of crossbreeds being deceived and misled that I'm very glad I didn't go for a poodle cross.

Should you look for another dog in the future, please consider a purebred breeder . You will know what to expect in a dog (the breed standard) and it's easy to find what health testing needs to be done for any breed on the internet. Once you get into crossbreeds, chance plays a greater role. You need to see the relevant health testing for the breed, in writing.

Rescue's another possibility- you're saving a life! I've had great pound dogs in the past.

Best wishes for you both ...

Edited June 25, 2006 by Poodle wrangler

[Sivvy]

Ok I am curious to know why you are still thinking of a crossbreed. People here are answering your questions, and trying to help, and its falling on deaf ears. I am really sorry for your girl what pain she is going through, but to think that you still want to chance it again with a spaniel x poodle, sorry dont think they deserve a name.

As ppl have stated they arent a registered breed, and from the attitude of the breeder he is no good neither. Ok so he says he'll pay, but why not pay you regardless of whether the bill is more or less of the purchase price. Your girl has serious problems. And may I add it wont stop there. Dogs having surgery yes improve the legs, but they still end up with arthritis.

I really am glad you are kind enough to look after Rubys well being that is nice, but I hope there is a lesson learnt from what has happened to Ruby, that you dont go and fall in the same trap. You say you have been reading on dol for a long time, then you should have known that these problems exist. This is where breeder versus pet homes, I shouldnt come down to it, but it does because alot of ppl are aware of backyarders selling stock like this but still choose to ignore us when we are here to help.

Hope Ruby is well soon ;)

[mygirlruby]

I'm very sorry for the pain both you and Ruby are going through .

It's terrible for you to pay alot of money for a crossbreed with a guarantee, only to find out it's of no REAL help i.e. you and your dog still suffer. Careless breeders rely on owners showing your kind of compassion and MAY (if have some shred of decency left) offer to take the dog back. Most know full-well you're now too attached to do so.

Friends of mine have a dear labradorXstandard poodle who I 'babysat' for 5 weeks. I like him very much. They had a bad experience with their "breeder"- they'd not had a dog before and were given no information about tick prevention. Sydney summers mean ticks+. Their dog almost died with a tick, they were distressed and a $1000- vet bill was all totally preventable. Also, their dog grew much bigger than they were told to expect. They really need to move house to accomodate him better.

Ruby looks like such a sweetie and doesn't deserve this. Makes me & (It's sad stories like yours that make people so passionate in the whole "designer dog" debate).

May I ask why you wanted to get "something different" from a poodle? I looked into poodleXs too, as the OH didn't like the look of poodles. Too many dodgy breeders and misinformation. I now have a black, miniature poodle who's great and I've never regretted getting a purebred dog. He looks kind of shaggy/ sporty, not a daggy pet poodle trim. The OH is a total convert. There are so many sad stories about owners of crossbreeds being deceived and misled that I'm very glad I didn't go for a poodle cross.

Should you look for another dog in the future, please consider a purebred breeder . You will know what to expect in a dog (the breed standard) and it's easy to find what health testing needs to be done for any breed on the internet. Once you get into crossbreeds, chance plays a greater role. You need to see the relevant health testing for the breed, in writing.

Rescue's another possibility- you're saving a life! I've had great pound dogs in the past.

Best wishes for you both ...

Hi, I have always had poodles, and had just lost my 17 yr old(who I had since I was 12 yrs old)poodle , Molly. I was heartbroken and swore I wouldn't get another dog. As all dog lovers know, this doesn't last long - so I looked on the net for "allergy friendly dogs" and found a labradoodle site, and thought they sounded great. Then I met someone with one , and it was GORGEOUS, so that's the road I took. Well I now feel I was fed alot of misinformation. But I relally don't regret it as Ruby is a lovely dog, with a shoddy skeleton unfortunately!!

[mygirlruby]

Ok I am curious to know why you are still thinking of a crossbreed. People here are answering your questions, and trying to help, and its falling on deaf ears. I am really sorry for your girl what pain she is going through, but to think that you still want to chance it again with a spaniel x poodle, sorry dont think they deserve a name.

As ppl have stated they arent a registered breed, and from the attitude of the breeder he is no good neither. Ok so he says he'll pay, but why not pay you regardless of whether the bill is more or less of the purchase price. Your girl has serious problems. And may I add it wont stop there. Dogs having surgery yes improve the legs, but they still end up with arthritis.

I really am glad you are kind enough to look after Rubys well being that is nice, but I hope there is a lesson learnt from what has happened to Ruby, that you dont go and fall in the same trap. You say you have been reading on dol for a long time, then you should have known that these problems exist. This is where breeder versus pet homes, I shouldnt come down to it, but it does because alot of ppl are aware of backyarders selling stock like this but still choose to ignore us when we are here to help.

Hope Ruby is well soon

As mentioned earlier, I feel misinformed on the whole "crossbreed" thing from the breeders of Ruby. Their site, and their staff make it sound like in the 70s they "invented" a new breed called "the Australian Labradoodle". (not to be mistaken for the labradoodle, or lab X poodle) they say! Well I have found things out the hard way!! And so has poor Ruby!

[cavNrott]

.

Edited May 8, 2009 by cavNrott

[Sivvy]

You say you have been reading on dol for a long time, then you should have known that these problems exist. This is where breeder versus pet homes, I shouldnt come down to it, but it does because alot of ppl are aware of backyarders selling stock like this but still choose to ignore us when we are here to help.

Sorry but I don't quite understand the above comment "This is where breeder versus pet homes". Are you saying you only sell your dogs to other breeders? Are you saying that pet homes do not offer the best of care to their dogs? Or are you pointing out the benefits of registered breeders versus the backyard variety?

what I meant by my comment, is breeders on here on dol, and on the phone are always trying to explain to pet buyers that there are so many problems in the breed as it is, so why go to a backyarder, regardless if its suppose to be a pure or cross, I warn them what problems their dogs may have/get. I state, ok our dogs are a bit more expensive, but you are buying with a guarantee, we test. Problems may arise, we hope never. But while we are testing, we are minimising the problems that do exist. Backyard breeders dont test, and if they did any was maybe once, or they bought a pet from a breeder who handed over the tests so the pet buyer (at least thats who they thought bought) at that would be the tests the bbs would more than likely show to the unsuspected buyer. They buy our dogs so they dont get problems too, but they dont continue the testing every year like we do, as you never know when something will rear its ugly head, ontop of that the do this with an entirely different breed. Basically all our hard work to improve the breed has been stuffed. No I didnt mean that we are better and treat dogs better, infact my dogs go to pet people, I prefer them. Only 2 have gone out of the main reg. I have to trust ppl first before they can breed from my dogs.

Mgr, I was saying what I said because you were thinking of a spoodle. Please dont do it. Take care of the one you have now, which I know you are, and just think long and hard before making the next decision. I just cant understand why after owning a pure bred why you would only want half of the same breed.

Anyway hope all goes well with Ruby.

[Poodle wrangler]

[Hi, I have always had poodles, and had just lost my 17 yr old(who I had since I was 12 yrs old)poodle , Molly. I was heartbroken and swore I wouldn't get another dog. As all dog lovers know, this doesn't last long - so I looked on the net for "allergy friendly dogs" and found a labradoodle site, and thought they sounded great. Then I met someone with one , and it was GORGEOUS, so that's the road I took. Well I now feel I was fed alot of misinformation. But I relally don't regret it as Ruby is a lovely dog, with a shoddy skeleton unfortunately!!

I didn't mean to imply you regret your dog, only the choice of a crossbreed/ 'breeder', perhaps? Have you been able to do some swimming with Ruby as poodlefan suggested? Any further news from the vet?

[raz]

Yeah how's she going post op. MGR? Any updates?

[mygirlruby]

Yeah how's she going post op. MGR? Any updates?

Well things have gone from bad to worse. we took Ruby home last Thurs evening, and she definately wasn't herself, but was OK. We were told that she needed 2-3 short 5-10min lead walks a day. She seemed OK over the weekend, and on Sun evening we were told to take the bandages off. We did, and she seemed less confidant on the leg. On her 1st walk with the bandage off on Mon, she all of a sudden yelped and couldnt walk on it. This was very traumatic, and difficult to get her home, me hysterical, and her in pain. We rested her and contacted the vet who advised complete rest and only walk outside to wee. Well Tues, she wouldn't move from her bed, not to drink or go out for wee. At about 4pm I thought she must need to wee, so I convinced her to get up. She was scared, and cautiously walked out the door. Once outside, she seemed to injure the left leg(the not operated one) , and then the right while trying to run back inside, so she was dragging her hind quarters, and couldn't walk at all - very upsetting. We rushed her to the vet (1hr away), and was told her operation had failed, and it was redone yesterday(we thought we were taking her to the vet to say goodbye ). She is still in ICU - we pick her up tomorrow(FRI), but I am concerned that she has injured the non-operated side, and we will end up with an unhappy dog who cant walk at all. This is all very difficult - made more so by us having a 5mth old baby to look after aswell!! Hoping we did the right thing by re-operating?? Genevieve.

[catzatsea]

I have gone through this op now with two different dogs, my own (who had to go back for a second op also and a rescue) who came through with no issues and flying colours.

I definately feel your worry and torment.... the only advice I can offer is when Ruby comes home, I wouldnt be walking her at all.... she will let you know when she is ready.

Make sure you keep in constant communication with your vet and make sure you are honest if you feel he is asking too much of her (with exercise requirements etc).

Edited June 29, 2006 by catzatsea

[Linny]

Hi Genevieve,

That is terribble. Poor you, and poor Ruby I don't have any advice, but I'm sending lots of prayers your way. Which version of the surgery did she end up having?

Best wishes,

Linny

[poodlefan]

Mygirlruby:

This is all very difficult - made more so by us having a 5mth old baby to look after aswell!! Hoping we did the right thing by re-operating?? Genevieve.

I can't see that you really had a choice.

Just out of interest, what kind of flooring have you got? I'd be keeping Ruby off polished boards while she's incapacitiated.

Sounds like crate rest is the go... and I'd be CARRYING her out to the loo.. If you can restrict her that much, I'd be giving pain relief too.

One of my boys has had a patella op - he was up and around without bandages within 24 hours. Sounds like poor Ruby's procedure is more serious.

I'd be looking for any further work to be done by a specialist orthopedic vet - is that who did this op?

[malleerr]

I can really understand where you are coming from. Mallee also had to be rushed back to hospital only a day after we brought her home from her TPO when her implants failed her and her pelvis totally collasped. We too did not know what to do - whether to PTS or do another completely different op, we went with the second option on the advice of our surgeon. We had already gone so far with Mallee it did not seem right not to give her another go at life. Things will seem hard for awhile but trust me they do eventually get better. Its been nearly 8 months since Mallee's last op and we are just starting to see the benefits of it now and having a somewhat normal pup again,....welll one thats making up for lost time in a big way. We were told with Mallee that she would never chase a ball or run again, and may not ever be able to walk again by herself. But let me tell you she does all of the above.

We rested Mallee for alot longer than our surgeon advised ( she was crated for around 4 months only out for toliets and sanity breaks in the house, and is still in the house while we are at work to minimise her activity). Mallee let us know when she was ready to do things, and i think Ruby would do the same with you..... I think they know what they can and can't do.

One thing i wouldn't do would be walking Ruby so soon next time after she comes home, and if she is being tolieted outside i would do it on a lead to stop any accidents or her trying to run.

Do you have to have her in a sling or anything to assist her in taking a bit of the weight off the leg.?? We had to have Mallee slung to go to toliets and walkies for about 3 months after the op, but she did have a different operation to what you had!!

Hang in there it must be hard esp having a human bub to look after as well. If you need anything advice or just to vent just give a yell....

Take care

Edited June 29, 2006 by malleerr

[cleo]

I am sorry to hear about Ruby and the difficult time you, your family and esp Ruby are going through right now. I agree with catzatsea and PB that she should be crated and keep the walking to just toileting until the vet gives her the all clear to start rehab.

Edited June 29, 2006 by cleo

[raz]

I agree with poodlefan. Crate Rest.

Goodluck with this nightmare.

[mygirlruby]

As I'm new to this I'm replying to all:

Thanks for the support and good wishes. I will be restricting her activity alot more this time, and hope for the best.

Ruby had her luxating patella corrected the first time with tibial tuberosity transposition and lateral retinacular overlap, but the 2nd time the vet also had to recontour the groove the patella sits in (don't know the correct terminology), and completely remove the tibial tuberosity and move it down the tibia, aswell as the other stuff.

The vet is a specialist orthopaedic vet. He said it failed as he made an incorrect clinical decision, not to recontour the groove. I feel she was excercised too much aswell - and I only walked her once a day, not the recommended 2-3 times!!

These are tough times for our family, but most of all for Ruby. Hope we are doing the right thing for her.

Genevieve.