[QUOTE=DBlain;3848672]the new poster could be the breeder, what a dilemma and hard to know if this is the breeder fault because from what I read on GME with an exception of the strain in pugs, they don't know the cause, so there is a good chance other dogs of her's might never have been diagnosed with this. Also it comes on pretty fast so it is not likely this is something the dog had when it was sold. Fair or not fair just about every purchase contract states that if there is a problem you get a new dog, not vet bills paid. But when you have a dog for 6-8 months that's a hard option to accept since you don't want a new dog you just one the one you have to get better. Also in reading about GME the success rate of treatment is pretty slim so if you opt for expensive treatments it might not be fair to expect reimbursement. Not a good predicament to be in on either side of the fence.[/QUOTE
I fully agree, I was on the end with the dog who was diagnosed and died of GME within 3.5 months Isabella was only 17 months old....when she died....and you are so correct...there is truly no way to tell if the puppy you buy or the puppy you sell has the gene or will pass it....
Problem with my situation is my breeder offered nothing.....not a puppy, nor compensation....she just wanted Isabella to go away, she told me to even remove the kennel name from any postings about her as it made her kennel look bad!!!...That she had never had this and they did not have GME in Italy...I would never have gotten anther dog from her anyway since Isabella's treatment was so expensive and no way would I have ever left her to travel back to Italy to get a replacement pup....I never blamed the breeder for Isabella's GME or death..I even tried to help her, but have since learned that Isabella was not her first nor her last case of GME. All I can do now is live with my memories of a beautiful little girl who left this world way to soon. We have set up the Research fund in her name and will continue to do all we can for research of this terrible "Silent Killer" I just wish more Yorkie breeders would admit they have had it or know what it is....GME happens, no testing is available for it..but as long as they choose to hide it, it will continue. Very sad. There are no symptoms or warning signs that you would notice right away, but after the diagnoses you think back and see the signs...in talking to others who have lost Yorkies and Maltese to this disease you see alot of similarities in early signs but at the time you would never notice them. One thing in common is chronic ear infections, and in females its a sort of hormonal imbalance as far as a odd first heat....followed by a false pregnancy...but these are things you would never think of as unusual behavior. Isabella was fine one day and down the next...all that happened is she had two reverse sneezes and passed out....but she recovered by the time I rushed her to my vet and was fully back to normal for 5 days...they did blood test everything...she was fine...then 5 days later she was down and never recovered fully..within 3 months she was blind and had lost most of her control of her back legs on most days...we decided then it was time to let her go but she was never in pain, the meds for the treatment were destroying her little body...it is something I hope no Yorkie owner ever has to witness or go thru...my heart breaks with every new email I get from people telling me their dog was just diagnosed and what do they do....I can't help them....and right now no form of treatment can either....GME is a death sentence. Isabella's tissue samples are at University of Georgia, her ashes are here with me. |