Found out my pup has Patellar Luxation...what should I do? Breeder refuses to help!

[mcu]

I've become ultra paranoid with all the horrible stories. To the point where I am starting to think if the vet did her job right today. I brought him in because i notice the occasional drop on watery blood after some of his poops. I brought in a stool sample and she said he had worms...did not tell me which ones as i did not there were so many after I read here today. She gave me panacur and told me to give him 0.6ml for 5 days. I am wondering if she checked for Giardia....Is this part of the same test? After reading another post from someone's pup dying from it coming from the same breeder....I have become really paranoid. Also, the vet suggested that maybe my pup had mites because of little pimple on his body from scratching, but I honnestly think its from his new shampoo we are using since a week. Is mites and ear mites the same? Wouldn't they test this with a camera in the ear?

Do you guys suggest I bring my pup to another vet for another stool sample before anything? My pup seems healthy and eats well and is active. With giardia, would he be this way?

[reneernc]

Originally Posted by AngelMia

This lady is bad news! I live in Florida and I was one idiot to purchase a dog from her. She is full of lies , she tells you she is the breeder has so many dogs, shows you there pictures phoney inormation, she is a con artist. The male that I purchased from her was suppose to be an 13 week old pup as well as Akc registered. she knew I was looking for a small male , I wanted a male to be no more than 5 lbs 4 lbs I would be ok with, but when the registration papers came his bithdate was showing he was actually 8 weeks old when I purchased him, he was not akc, he was aca and she was not the breeder, she brings them in from Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela ect. I made a big stink about this whole issue and did tell her I already made contact with the local news to check her out, I was already attached with the little guy, but I just coudn't let her get away with this. She did give me a full refund plus vet expenses that I has incured on checking him out. There have been several complaints after my insident with her and God knows how many others before me, and they have had her on the news as a fraud. Her bussiness should be shut down she is a con artist and a fraud. Take it all the way, I know it's hard at this point to give up your baby, but your taking a chance on her screwing you like she has many others and she will continue. This lady is not a breeder she just runs a phoney business. Good luck!

Returning a pup sounds like a very hard thing to do. I know I couldn't do it because of attachment, but I would also worry about what I was returning them to. Can you go through small claims court to get your money for vet bills reimbursed?
Good luck

[reneernc]

Originally Posted by mcu

I've become ultra paranoid with all the horrible stories. To the point where I am starting to think if the vet did her job right today. I brought him in because i notice the occasional drop on watery blood after some of his poops. I brought in a stool sample and she said he had worms...did not tell me which ones as i did not there were so many after I read here today. She gave me panacur and told me to give him 0.6ml for 5 days. I am wondering if she checked for Giardia....Is this part of the same test? After reading another post from someone's pup dying from it coming from the same breeder....I have become really paranoid. Also, the vet suggested that maybe my pup had mites because of little pimple on his body from scratching, but I honnestly think its from his new shampoo we are using since a week. Is mites and ear mites the same? Wouldn't they test this with a camera in the ear?

Do you guys suggest I bring my pup to another vet for another stool sample before anything? My pup seems healthy and eats well and is active. With giardia, would he be this way?

My experience with Guardia was a long time ago, but the vets will still tell you if 1 pup in a litter has it, it is likely they all have it. It is very contagious among pets and can be transferred to people too. Your pup doesn't sound like the symptoms usually described for pups with it. They are usually very lethargic. I don't think it would hurt to find out for sure though.

[troubletb]

Go here for information on Giardia: http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/gia.html

[Dawn125]

After reading all this I would not be surprised if the puppy is younger than you think. A lot of broker's will sell them really young to give the impression that they will be smaller adults. If he is really 4 months at 2.5 lbs he will probably be a pretty small adult. I would guess around 4 lbs. I know you think you want him to be a 2.5 lb adult but really 4-5 lbs is really small. I have an almost 6 pounder and she is really a teeny dog and sturdy enough to run and play and jump off the bed without breaking a leg.

If the health of the puppy does in fact turn out to be an issue and you need to sue her I would be more inclined to go the small claims route because you most likely won't collect any more than the purchase price of the puppy and an attorney will charge you more than that. You could end up with a bigger financial loss.

[blades]

This is a very common problem in small dogs. Both of my yorkies have a grade 1. My vet told me the best thing for this would be to walk them up a hill or swim. Fortunately they love to swim in our pool in the summer. If u can build up the muscle around the knee, it will be to their advantage. I would hold off on the surgery unless u see them in real pain. As far as the breeder goes, is it worth the trip back there? You'll be stressed and so will the dog. Just report her and take care of your little one.

[Amanda86]

I definetly wish I found this forum sooner. I just recently purchased a small yorkie from her the week of March 4th a week later the dog died of parvo. She claims she will compensate us for the vet bills and the dog but after reading this and contacting others I've heard of whose dogs died from her I doubt this will happen. This woman needs to be stopped!

[chloeandj]

Do breeders guarantee against luxating patella? I thought guarantees were about life threatening issues. Luxating patella sounds like it is common and I thought that it was not only genetic but they could get it from environmental factors too like jumping off things and such I don't know much about it, I'm just curious...

[shecass]

This is absolutely horrible. I'm so sorry for what you are going through with your little one. I too think that you are going to have a small guy. Wyatt is 8 months old and 9 1/2 lbs. He was 2.5 lbs at 6 weeks. I would definitely go for a second opinion and see an attorney.

You would think that the authorities in FL would be able to put a stop to this, she is a horrible person. Maybe the local ASPCA or Humane Society could do something about this and put her out of business permanently.

Good Luck with your little one.

[shecass]

Originally Posted by chloeandj

Do breeders guarantee against luxating patella? I thought guarantees were about life threatening illnesses. Luxating patella sounds like it is common and I thought that it was not only genetic but they could get it from environmental factors too like jumping off things and such I don't know much about it, I'm just curious...

I think it is considered a genetic defect not sure though.

[Juliealfies mum]

This woman needs to be stopped , but I could not return a pup to her no matter what! Sue her or put and ad in the papers telling as many people as possible what she is like ,but dont give her back your baby, what would she do with it poor little mite.

[AuntBee]

I agree, I don't know how any breeder can guarantee size.

Patellar subluxation can be hereditary but can also be caused by injury, especially if jumping down off the furniture on a regular basis. Also, some puppies that are raised in wire cages & don't walk on the floor or the ground can develop grade 1 or 2 patellar subluxation because they never get a chance to strengthen those ligaments (because of the wire).

http://www.porsha-distribution.com/p...ts.html#luxate

Patellar Luxation (Slipping Kneecap)
by Jennie Bullock

Patellar luxation is the dislocation (slipping) of the patella (kneecap). In dogs the patella is a small bone that shields the front of the stifle joint. This bone is held in place by ligaments. As the knee joint is moved, the patella slides in a grove in the femur. The kneecap may dislocate toward the inside (medial) or outside (lateral) of the leg. This condition may be the result of injury or congenital deformities (present at birth). Patellar luxation can affect either or both legs.

The most common occurrence of luxating patella is the medial presentation in small or miniature dog breeds. Shallow femoral groove, weak ligaments and malalignment of the tendons and muscles that straighten the joint are all conditions that will predispose a dog toward luxating patellas. Indications of patellar luxation are; difficulty in straightening the knee, pain in the stifle, limping, or the tip of the hock points outward while the toes point inward. The diagnosis of this condition can usually be confirmed (by a veterinarian) by manipulating the stifle joint and pushing the patella in and out of position.

Patellar luxations fall into several categories:

Medial luxation; toy, miniature, and large breeds.
Lateral luxation; toy and miniature breeds.
Lateral luxation; large and giant breeds.
Trauma induced luxation; various breeds
Categories 1, 2, and 3 are either hereditary or strongly suspected of being inheritable. Beyond the categorization of patellar luxation there are 4 grades of deviation for this condition:

Grade 1: Intermittent patellar luxation - occasional carrying of the affected limb. The patella can easily be manually luxated at full extension of the stifle, but returns to proper position when pressure is released.

Grade 2: Frequent patellar luxation - in some cases luxation is more or less permanent. The affected limb is sometimes carried, although the dog may walk with the stifle slightly flexed.

Grade 3: Permanent patellar luxation - even though the patella is luxated; many animals will walk with the limb in a semi-flexed position.

Grade 4: Permanent patellar luxation - the affected limb is either carried or the animal walks in a crouched position, with the limb partially flexed. Medial Luxation in Toy, Miniature, and Large Breeds Termed "congenital" because the luxations occur early in life and are not trauma associated.

Clinical indications:

1) Neonates and older puppies - display clinical signs of abnormal leg carriage and function from the time they start walking. These cases are generally grades 3 or 4. 2) Young to mature animals - usually exhibit intermittently abnormal or abnormal movement all their lives. Generally evaluated when the symptomatic gait worsens.

Most often grade 2 or 3. 3) Older animals - may exhibit sudden lameness. Usually due to further breakdown of soft tissues or the degenerative nature of joint disease. These cases are usually grade 1 or 2. Lateral Luxation in Toy and Miniature Breeds Lateral luxation in small breeds is most often seen in dogs between 5 to 8 years of age.

The skeletal abnormalities in these cases is most often obscure. Most of these cases are grade 1 or 2 and the dog tends to exhibit a more functional disability. Lateral Luxation in Large and Giant Breeds Animals usually appear to be affected by 5 to 6 months of age, with bilateral involvement being the most common presentation. The most noticed symptom is a knock-knee stance. The patella is usually reducible.

Most breeders will offer a vet health check before selling puppies, especially to someone who lives so far away. When puppies are shipped, the law requires an interstate health certificate done by a vet before they can ship a puppy, as this is required by law before shipping from state to state. Vets always check for patellar subluxation, heart murmurs, and other congenital defects before they will sign off on a vet health exams or an interstate health certificate.

Most of the time, grade 1 or 2 will not require surgery, but will heal up on it's own if injuries are not repetitive. I would be skeptical of any vet who talks about surgery with only a grade 1 or 2 luxation - because grade 1 or 2 often heals by itself. I have never heard of a vet doing patellar surgery unless it is a grade 3-4, which can become crippling. Discourage jumping down from the furniture, either lift your puppy up & down or build some "steps" out of cushions. You will be hard put to prove congenital versus injury as a cause of subluxation if she had a health exam done by a vet before you got your puppy.