Having moderated a Liver Shunt & MVD support group for well over 15 years I can attest to the fact that Yorkies and Cairn terriers are most commonly affected with Liver Shunt and MVD/HMD, but this condition is also seen in many other small breeds, including Maltese, dachshund, miniature poodles, Shih tzu, Lhasa apso, cocker spaniel, West Highland white terriers and the Havanese. Some cats are also affected.
Since I'm not a breeder and I don't sell dogs of any breed, I have no reason to single out, certain so called breeders, other than to protect the public from them. Denise is not the only breeder/broker/whatever that I've singled out on my web site (
yorkies.com) as someone to stay clear of. And I haven't listed bad "Breeders" just in Massachusetts. I have an equal opportunity web site and I'll report on any bad Yorkie breeder, no matter where they are located, as long as I have credible documentation as to the particulars that led to the complaint and how the breeder responded.
I'm not the only one that has questioned Denise's practices. The Bureau of Animal Health, Massachusetts Dept. of Agricultural Resources is also interested in her as well as the MA Department of Revenue and the IRS.
But Wolves are crafty animals and know how to hide their acts and intentions.
I'm not about to get involved in a match of wits with anyone on this list about Denise or any other breeder. My information is out there for anyone to read, take to heart, or discard, as they see fit. Each person has the right to their own opinion and I'm stating mine. But an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Currently the cost for corrective surgery at Tufts or Angell Memorial for a Liver Shunt runs about $3300.00 as compared to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville as about $1600.00. Diagnostic testing like an ultrasound, which is least reliable as compared to a portagram or scintigraphy can cost upwards of $1000.00 at Tufts. Most reputable breeders don't leave you to your own devises when one of the puppies they sell is sick and requires an additonal outlay of those kind of funds, especially when they charge well in excess of what a Show Quality Yorkie sells for.
MVD is not an imminently life threatening condition but if left untreated the dog does run the risk of poor health and even death. And treatment is not a one time affair. It's a lifetime of proper low protein diet and dosage of things like Lactulose, Flagyl, Marin, and Probiotic additives etc..
When you buy a Yorkie from a reputable breeder they don't turn around and blame the pet owner for these conditions and in most cases they will either return the purchase price or pay the veterinary bills. Those breeders that say to return the dog and they'll give you another know that once you've bonded with the dog you won't do that, especially when they tell you that they'll have to put the puppy to sleep because it's not financially feasible to pay for the medical care. And why would anyone take the chance of getting another sick dog from the same breeder?
And finally, I never called anyone a fool but if the shoe fits then wear it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bombers Mom  Those of you who have happy and healthy companions purchased from Denise should absolutely feel fortunate. They are in the minority.
And yes, of course it is a possibility to get a sick dog or one who later becomes ill from a reputable breeder - but the difference between Denise and those breeders who can be trusted is that the trusted breeders offer and honor a health guarantee. Denise does not.
And as to Steve Glass' motives - I have no doubt that they are honorable and strictly in the interest of protecting the breed and those poor people who unknowingly purchase a sick dog from Denise. Steve is not a breeder and has nothing to gain by warning unsuspecting buyers from getting a Yorkie from her. So you are way off base in your assessment of him. |