[Rachael1983]

Originally Posted by gemy

First the breeder did the ethical thing and reported a problem with this puppy to you before you bought him and totally fell in love with your puppy.


An LP surgery at $350 is very low cost indeed, even if a general vet does the surgery. I think that if you call orthopaedic surgeons in your area and ask for a price range for the surgery you will probably come up with $1000+ or more. I also highly recommend LP surgery be done by a specialist and not a general vet, unless this general vet has 1000's of successful LP surgeries under their belt.


It is not un-common to have future problems like ACL tears that again will require surgery down the road. In terms of pet insurance as LP is a pre-existing condition you could not get insurance coverage for LP surgery.


Grades 1 and 2 LP are considered mild with grade 1 rarely requiring surgery, and Grade 2s more likely to down the road some years.


Whilst most breeders would agree that LP in both knees especially Grades 3 and 4 ddx'd young - prior to 4 -5 months old, is likely inherited, milder Grades and especially only in one knee are more dubious. It is fairly well-known that environmental factors can worsen an existing LP, and or create a Grade 1 LP in a pup that merely started out with *loose* knee/s. Such as, too much jumping especially onto slippery surfaces, the jumping up and down in one spot again on slippery surfaces (such as hardwood floor, ceramic tile, etc). Too much weight gain too fast, and just overall being obese,coupled with lack of adequate and age appropriate exercise. And as such the owner may create or worsen the condition.


It is quite possible that the sire which ended up with LP started out just fine and even 3 0r 4 years down the road this LP was ddx'd. Whether she would breed this dog again, will depend on a whole lot of factors, likely causative nature of his LP, health of the previous litters he has sired and the incidence rate of LP in his off-spring, his overall general health, and the other very important qualities he brings to the breeding pool.




I would thank the breeder for her frankness, and quite simply *pass* on this puppy. I really don't want to buy a likely future and expensive and painfull problem down the road.

Good Perspective