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06-15-2010, 09:15 AM | #1 |
YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 304
| Question for breeders? My apologies if this is not in the appropriate forum (there are so many!) What do you all do as breeders when a puppy you've sold has a health issue that has been determined to be genetic? Do you offer to assist with vet bills or offer a partial refund? How do you handle these issues if and when they come about? |
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06-15-2010, 10:16 AM | #2 |
YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 304
| I'll explain why I ask if it's an unusual question. My husband and I got Cooper on March 27th, he was born on Nov. 19, 2009. Within two weeks we had him neutered to try to avoid any marking behaviors he might develop. Shortly after he started to limp, the initial vet fee was $248 for the x-rays, the visit, the medication. Two weeks later he wasn't any better. A second x-ray was $52 and a diagnosis of Legg-Perthes. Ten days later (5/25/10) he had FHO at a cost of $1,079. The vet and myself notified the breeder. They sent me a well wishing email, I emailed them after the surgery to update them on his status. The bone was sent to pathology and it was a genetic defect, there was no sign of trauma. The vet also notified them of the test results. I've heard nothing from them and I haven't contacted them either. Basically in a little more than 8 weeks we spent three times what we paid for the pup in vet bills (not counting the neuter of course). I just wondered what some of you as breeders would think the recourse should be, if any? We did have a one-year health guarantee, but what does that cover? My husband thinks they should give us back half (if not the full amount) we paid to help cover the vet bills. I don't know what would be the ethical thing to do, I do know they are aware of the situation and haven't offered. I paid for all this on my CC so I will be paying for this surgery for months if not years as I'm not in the position right now in this economy to pay the whole bill at once. I guess I'm looking for advice and guidance on how I should handle this, if I should do anything at all? I love the little guy dearly and have no regrets but I never dreamed that I would have well over $2000 invested in him in such a short time. |
06-15-2010, 10:49 AM | #3 |
I ♥ Joey & Ralphie! Donating Member | Lot of the reputable breeders I've talked to say they will give back up to the price of the puppy for issues that are determined to be genetic. The person, of course, keeps the pup. That's why I'm always telling people to find reputable breeders who are not breeding for income, it's the best insurance you can have.
__________________ NancyJoey Proud members of the CrAzYcLuB and YAP! ** Just Say No to Puppymills – Join YAP! Yorkshire Terrier Club of America – Breeder Referrals |
06-15-2010, 10:55 AM | #4 |
YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 304
| I think they are reputable from what their own vet has told me. He told me at the diagnosis that their pups are healthy and he's never seen one of their dogs with this particular ailment. I'm not sure if approaching them for a refund would be appropriate. That's why I was asking. Thanks for your reply Nancy. I'd never consider giving him back. |
06-15-2010, 11:17 AM | #5 |
YT Featured Breeder Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,552
| Approaching them for a refund is very appropriate! My guarantee states that I will refund up to the price of the puppy, with a Vet's statement. Or I offer a replacement puppy and you keep the original puppy too. It is up to the new family if you want a refund or puppy. But in either case, you get to keep the puppy. But I will take the puppy back if that is what the new family wishes. |
06-15-2010, 11:22 AM | #6 |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| What does the contract say? Can you remove names and scan the contract? A reputable breeder would work with you with LP and at such a young age.
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! |
06-15-2010, 11:22 AM | #7 |
YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 304
| I don't have the original paperwork with me, but I will look at it this weekend when I'm back in the office. Should they as breeders have offered or is it up to me to ask? I really hate to ask because they were such nice people. Should I ask the vet? He contacted them about the problem before I did. |
06-15-2010, 11:27 AM | #8 |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| I think that first you have to read your contract and see if they cover LP or genetic issues. Then I think you have to pull all of the vet reports together...and then I think you need to send them a letter with all of the information. What state does the breeder live in...look up to see if they have puppy lemon laws for that state. I don't mean this rude, but I don't care how nice they are..I care they are breeding healthy puppies. LP is very painful in a dog and dogs should not suffer because of poor breeding.
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! |
06-15-2010, 11:29 AM | #9 |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| Here is Florida's law but the laws pertain to which state the breeder lives in: Florida Pet Lemon Law
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! |
06-15-2010, 11:31 AM | #10 |
YT Featured Breeder Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,552
| As soon as they were notified, they should have contacted you for a refund. The ugly thing is, most guarantees only allow for a replacement. Knowing you wouldn't give him up, is the best way to get "out" of a guarantee. Reputable or not, those are worthless guarantees to me. |
06-15-2010, 11:48 AM | #11 |
YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 304
| I agree about raising future litters with LP, I told them that when I contacted them. From scanning the law I have a year to verify a genetic issue and be refunded up to the sale price of the dog, if I read correctly and I didn't read it fully. The breeder is local, so they're in Florida also. Without having the paperwork in front of me I can't say exactly what their guarantee included, but I'm 100% sure the vet would provide all the documents. He's the one that called with the test results and said it was genetic. I'm fairly sure they didn't knowingly sell me a dog with an illness. Thank you all for your input, I guess I have some thinking to do. |
06-15-2010, 11:53 AM | #12 | |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| Quote:
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! | |
06-15-2010, 11:55 AM | #13 | |
Princess Poop A Lot Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Colorado
Posts: 6,728
| Quote:
__________________ Cindy & The Rescued Gang Puppies Are Not Products! | |
06-15-2010, 11:59 AM | #14 |
YT Addict Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ocala, FL
Posts: 304
| Yes, I actually took possession of the puppy at the vet's. I received the health certificate, he got his shots, etc., right there that day with the breeders present. The LP showed up on x-ray after the limping started. The x-rays showed deterioration over a two week period thus the LP diagnosis and the recommendation that the sooner the surgery was done the better the dog would be. |
06-15-2010, 03:00 PM | #15 |
YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Saskatchewan
Posts: 384
| I agree that you should be refunded for your pup. As a breeder, that is what I would do. Legge-Perthes is a sad and crippling disease of young dogs and I don't think that the new owner should be left with no compensation. However, I do believe that the jury is still out as to what causes it. As far as I know, there seems to be more evidence of it being strictly genetic if the pup develops it in both legs as opposed to just one. From what I understand, in cases of it being caused by trauma, the injury can be so slight as to not be noticed by the owner. I have also done some reading that indicated that they think the trauma at birth could have something to do with it, as it is more common in pups born by C-section. There is no way that the breeder could have known about this problem before you got your dog, as there are no signs until the head of the femur starts to deteriorate. Personally, I would not breed either of the parents again, but I think it is very important that your breeder understands that they should not repeat the same breeding again (could save another from the same heartbreak you had). Good luck with your pup, I think your breeder should refund you.
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