Quote:
Originally Posted by Janssen Jewels  I would like to hear from the forum their opinion: A female 19 week puppy that has developed a 1/4" inguinal hernia. Is this considered a "birth defect" or a natural event from a very playful puppy, or serious hereditary disease?
I have been a responsible breeder and provide a one year health clause for serious hereditary diseases - (leg perthes, liver shut) but after 20 puppies, I now have one being returned to be for a hernia. Is it reasonable to expect me to cover the surgery cost for this repair? She is having the surgery done in conjunction with her spay.
I am at a loss. I want to be fair - but the new owner is/was a friend and she does not know much about dogs and their heath. My vet has inspected and confirmed the diagnosis. But I am not certain that this falls under the contract of my responsibility.
Your thoughts please! |
The hernia you describe sounds very small. I have read that they can sometimes outgrow them. In most cases, unless the hernia is severe, the vet will just fix the hernia when the female is spayed. Most vets charge a little extra money to repair the hernia at the time of the spay. If the people bought the puppy for breeding purposes then I feel you should allow them to return the puppy and give them their money back. If they bought the puppy as a pet only then you should offer to pay the additional cost of having the hernia repaired when the female is spayed. If the people just want to return the pup regardless, then I think you would be better off just giving them their money back. There is no way of knowing if the hernia was a birth defect or caused from an injury. In any event the pup should not be bred when she is older even if the hernia is fixed.
As for what your contract says, I don't know how it is worded. Legally you might not be obligated to return their money but morally I think it would be the best thing to do.
How long have they had the pup? You would think they would want to keep her if they have bonded to her.