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! |
I'm a little confused, too. Is the pup being returned or will the owner keep it if you agree to pay the extra cost of the hernia repair, if needed? I say 'if needed' because many inguinal hernias close on their own. There is a risk of the hernia becoming strangulated in the meantime, which would require immediate attention, so that needs to be watched out for.
I personally am not a fan of early spay and neutering. To me, it's better to wait until the growth plates have closed before s/n. Also, by that time, it will be apparent if the pup needs any retained baby teeth extracted so everything can be taken care of at one time.
If a hernia is not being repaired immediately, it's a good idea to 'reduce' it by checking it often and pushing it back in. This can help it to close on its own and lessen the risk of it becoming strangulated, but will not help in all cases. Some hernias are not reducible, but, most likely a 1/4 inch one is.
As for your responsibility, I would worry less about the letter of the contract and focus more on what is truly fair. Is it worth the risk to whatever reputation you have worked to build over a few dollars?