Our breeder's response to Ollie's hip dysplasis - hmmmmm

[StaceyW]

I think a number of you will find this exchange interesting (I took Breeders' names out) - start at the bottom and read to the top of the chain

Hi Breeder– thanks for the response. No way are we returning him – we love him and he is part of our family now. I wanted you to be aware so that you do what you can on your end to make sure your breeding dogs do not themselves have bad hips and for you to check Ollie’s parents specifically.



Re: how we discovered it: I noticed that he limps when he gets tired when we walk. Also – he has never jumped up on anyone – a plus – but very unusual in a puppy. He also has trouble with stairs and jumping into cars. Finally – he bunny hops when he plays which is a sign as well. We had him x-rayed on Monday when he was getting neutered and the vet confirmed that he has severe dysplasia on the left side. We are going to take Ollie to see an ortho surgeon next week to discuss the options but from what I understand he will likely have an osteotomy or a total hip replacement.



Fortunately – we got pet insurance and much of it will be covered. Our deductible on the insurance is $150 and then we pay 10% of all future services for the hip. Thus, I think as gesture of good faith, it would be nice if you would refund us $150 for the deductible but that is entirely up to you. We adore Ollie and will do whatever we can do make sure he lives a long healthy and active life. Thanks. Stacey







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From: Breeder
Sent: Friday, October 30, 2009 12:21 PM
To: Wolf, Stacey
Subject: Re: Oliver



Hi Stacey!!!!!

I"m so sorry that I'm so long in responding! We had a huge costume party here last night for our sons 10th birthday and I have been swarmed! _______told me someone called about a puppy but I thought he meant wanting one of the upcoming ones so I didnt' check msgs until after the party. I'm just reading your email and I'm soooooo sorry!!!!!! How did u find out he had this?? Wow.. that's really young to be getting it but from what I read it's a good thing u caught it young! It's better prognosis if you do than when they're older. I sure hope they can do something for him! Please keep in touch with his progress.

Did you get a guarantee from us? Our guarantee says we will pay 1/2 the money back and u return the puppy to us with 2 different written reports from two different vets. I'm sure you can understand why we do this. Hip dysplasia skips generations so often. We were planning on getting them tested but it's an hour away and that vet is the only one that does it anywhere in our area, that we know of, and is swarmed. We are waiting for them to have an opening. Some people tell us that there's still no guarantees with that because even if mom and dad have great hips it dosnt' mean their parents did. In the same litter.. u can have puppies with great hips and some without. I guess it's like children. There are no guarantees. But we will be more than happy to fulfil our guarantee. If u want to return him we will be sure he gets the best treatment available.

Please let me hear back exactly what the treatments are and what type of surgery, etc... _____and I are soo concerned for him :( We hate so bad to hear this. These guys grow under our care and we love them incredibly. Thanks for letting me know and I look forward to hearing back from you. We'd love to see pictures of him too when u get the chance!

Take care,
Breeder

On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 3:05 PM, Wolf, Stacey wrote:

Hello – I have left two messages in the last week on your home voice mail but have not received a return phone call. I was calling to let you know that Ollie has hip dysplasia on the left side and is going to need significant treatment and surgery. He is a wonderful dog and we adore him but are very sad that he is going to have to go thru all of this. We wanted you to be aware so that you can make sure your parent dogs get their hips tested so that if this is genetic – you no longer breed those dogs so as to save other families and dogs from having to go thru with this. We would like you to consider refunding some or all of what we paid you for Ollie so that we can use it toward his soon-to-be significant medical expenses. Please respond to this email. Thank you. Stacey

[Kyoko]

This is not fair at all..... The guarantee is written based on assumption that people would not want to return their puppy...Basically, so the breeder does not have to be responsible.... Not Fair.... :-(

[Lorraine Bromley]

Our breeder is Mennonite, they don't drive. They loaded up all of their breeding stock into a hay wagon and hired a driver to drive over an hour away to test all of thier breeding stock. They test the most of all the breeders listed in my area.
I think her stating that it may skip a generation is wacky. She is basically saying that she has no idea if the parents of her breeding stock have been tested either! To breed hers without knowing their genetic history is neglectful. If you get no action I would be tempted to send her the copy of what to look for in a good breeder from this forum. She obviously needs educated. That is giving her the benefit of the doubt that she isn't just a greedy scammer. Charging that amount for a sub standard product! I hope you can be the catalist that turns her business into a responsible breeder or to show her the light that maybe she shouldn't be in the breeding business.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

I think it is outrageous that any breeder that actually represents himself as a a "breeder" have the odacity to ask for a puppy back! What would they do if one took them up on the offer? Send it to the pound? Euthanize it? Unreal!

All Breeders who actually represent themselves as such should give back the money without much ado. Give back the money to help with expenses/future erxpenses. And the full price! I think you were awfully nice asking for just $150. I would take her to small claims court. and sue for the full amount. You may have insurance but with claims your premiums will go up.

If something went wrong with Abby (big ticket breeder purchase) I would definitely go after the breeder for the $1800 I paid for her.

If something went wrong with Kaela, I am on my own and aware of that. She came from a family having a litter, not a breeder, no contract, no guarantees no expectations, didnt pay for any of that.

I am apalled at how some of these people operate.

[Tammy & Gracie]

Yeah, it's an awful situation. I did want to add that I know someone who has retired/rescued Belgian Sheepdogs. One of them has had a total hip replacement doe to dysplasia. He comes to the dogpark like any other dog and I can see no effects on this dog, no limping, no arthritis, no sensitivities to being petted around the hips. Just thought it might help you to picture a healthy post-surgery pet.

[StaceyW]

Thanks for all the input. One thing to know - I my now 6 year old had hip dysplasia as a baby and has had multiple surgeries and wore a body cast for more than 6 months! she is know all better and is a great soccer player bit it was an awful experience - so hip dysplasia in Ollie should be a piece of cake!

We only paid $600 for Ollie and so knew we werent getting the same type of health guarantee. See - sometimes you do get what you pay for! We go see a surgeon on Tuesday and I will update after that.

[Laura and Bailey Brindi and coco]

stacey sorry yo here about ollie how is he now? my Bailey has elbow displasia I to found out at 7mo old talked to the breeder and she said they would take her back. we said no way she has her surgery on Dec 3rd we have no pet inc. and she needs it on both front legs, Just to day we asked her for our miney back on her to help pay for sime of the bill . Cuz when we got her she did say she was a health puppy. We'll see what happens How is Ollie Laura & Bailey