A note for any new morkie puppies
 

Anyone that is thinking about getting a new puppy should take this warning
we adopted a morkie from a breeder just outside chatham a little over a year ago-----brought him home (we live in kincardine ont) made an appointment with our vet and took him in for a checkup-----he had the worst heart murmor that our vet has ever seen --------------i phoned the breeder right then from the vets office and told her -----she said that most all small dogs have heart murmors and it should go away---- my vet said the opposite--that this one was away too bad and we would loose our new puppy -----i asked the breeder if she had had a vet check the pups when they were born -----she said no that it was too exspensive and not needed ---- scooter has been a good dog --for the length of time we have had him-----so i am not sorry that i got him -----but do not --i repeat ------do not --------get a new puppy from anyone without first being sure it has had a good vet look it over ---
before you pick it up ---once you have one at home it.s yours in more way's than one---youcant part with them after you have them heart murmor or not

I am so sorry for your loss! I think it goes for all puppies that they have a good Vet check before leaving the breeder.

I am sooo sorry, all decent caring breeders have their pups checked by a vet before being sold. Shame on that breeder who sold you your puppy.

How is your puppy doing now? What did you name him and does he show any signs of heart problem? Wishing you the best!!!!:aimeeyork

I'm so sorry about your pup. Your breeder sounds like every pet owners nightmare- one who not only knows very little about breeding, but doesn't care enough to take the time to learn.

Heart murmurs are the most common sign of heart disease in small dogs, but in no way do all (or even most) small dogs have them.

When a pathological heart murmur is found in a puppy, it's usually caused by a genetic defect. Older dogs can develop them later on, as valves start to weaken. A heart murmur it's self isn't a disease, it's a description of a the sound caused by turbulence in the blood flow. The murmur can be caused by the valves not opening and closing properly or an actual hole in an area of the heart.

Heart murmurs are graded on a scale of 1-6, with 6 being the loudest. The location of the murmur helps determine the underlying cause.

As for most dogs having them, in utero the blood obviously does not need to go to the lungs to be oxygenated, so the circulatory system has a duct that moves the blood away from the lungs and back out to the body (the ductus arteriosus). After deliver or whelping, when the first breaths are taken, the pressures in the lungs start the process of closing this duct. About 1:7 pups will have a problem known as patent ductus arteriosis, caused by duct opening and closing during the first few weeks. If left untreated, there is a high mortality rate the first year of life.

That's one of the reasons why those early vet checks are so important. It provides a baseline exam for a vet to watch the heart and note any changes in the presence/absence of murmurs and the grade and start treatment early if necessary.

A good breeder would be interested in knowing that one of his/her pups had a pathological murmur and adjust their breeding program based on the underlying disease.

we named him "scooter" and it did suit him ---he loved to run and play ball as long as someone would play with him ---right now he is very lethargic and we cant get any food in him-----and once in a while i have noticed him coughing -------we want to keep him from hurting

Oh dear, I'm so sorry for your obvious concern. when did you have him into the vet last? Heart murmurs ddx'd this early can lead to enlarged heart, and one of the signs of an enlarged heart is coughing. No appetite is not good. Please if you haven't already bring him into the vet.

WE HAD HIM IN JUST ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE VET SAYS HE HAS A GRADE 6 MURMOR AND DIDEN,T GIVE US MUCH HOPE THE LAST TIME WE WERE IN SHE SAID THINGS HAVEN,T CHANGED --i WENT OVER TODAY BUT THERE WASEN,T ANYONE THERE Sat AFTERNOON---BUT I DON,T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING THEY CAN DO-----WE HAVE BEEN EXSPECTING IT----BUT LIKE I SAID I AM STILL GLAD HE CAME TO LIVE WITH US ---IF HE WAS BACK AT THE BREEDERS HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT KIND OF LIVE HE WOULD HAVE HAD AND AT LEAST WITH US HIS SHORT LIVE HAS BEEN A GOOD ONE --WE ARE RETIRED AND COULD SPEND ALOT OF TIME WITH HIM AND WE SPEND THE WINTERS IN FLORIDA SO LAST WINTER HE WENT WITH US AND FLEW HOME ON A PLANE WITH US ----ALSO HE HAS EIGHT GRANDKIDSTHAT HE LIKES TO PLAY WITH ----I THINK HE HAS HAD FUN ----THE THING NOW IS TO SEE THAT HE DOSEN,T SUFFER ANY

Oh dear I am so sorry for you and your boy. It is so heartwrenching. It is so wonderful that you have shown your boy lots of life.

I hope there is a way to keep him painfree.

There maybe other owners on here who have faced the same situation as you, and maybe able to share their thoughts and suggestions.

((((((((Hugs)))))))))))))))

Did the breeder provide any type of health guarantee? Not that it would be any condolence but it could help compensate for the costs your incurring at the vet.

When I first called her {when we first found out about the heart problem} she said that if he died befor he was one year old she would replace him---it,s been a year and a half---so I dont know --I havent talked with her since

I am affraid ,after reading what I have sent in ,that it was all one sided ,that it was us giving all the time ----in reallity when scoot signed on to come live with us he was taking on a big job for such a little pup --two old people ----alot of work ---but he did a heck of a good job ----his was the first face I seen in the morning giving kissses and the last one at night with more --he got us out walking and he loves to bike ride -- and wll play ball all day if he could --so we recieved much more than he did I think-----

I am so glad he has brought you such joy. You have provided much love and companionship for this little boy, and I know in my heart that he is aware and thankful for it. You have given him a great life.

Some humans don't get to vacation in Florida or have the opportunity to feel unconditional love. You have done a wonderful job. I am sorry that this has had to happen. You have certainly made the most of his life. My thoughts will be with you and Scooter as you both go through this difficult time.

:aimeeyorkYorkieProud:aimeeyork

Once again a very informative post. :goodpost:Thanks.

:aimeeyorkYorkieProud:aimeeyork

I totally agree with this. With what you are experiencing, you came here as a newbie to help others who may be looking to add another member to their family. That is so wonderful of you. We all understand what you mean about how much Scooter gives to you. There is no way we can fully describe the love and life our babies bring to us. Unless you have experienced it or given yourself completely and selflessly to love and protect your little one, I don't think you can fully understand. I know you have given Scooter unconditional love and protection, and he has given that back to you and has changed your life. He sounds so special. I've had four Yorkies in my adult life and many, many other dogs growing up. I definitely think they taught me to love with a completely open heart. We lost our first Yorkie seventeen years ago and adopted Ashley a couple of months later. She was lonely, so we adopted Kiwi and few months later. A year later, the breeder that we got Ashley from had a six and a half month old puppy named Amazin' Gracie that she had kept to breed. She knew she was very tiny, but she already loved her personality, and she was so beautiful and perfect that she kept her hoping she would get big enough to breed. Luckily for us, Gracie didn't even make three pounds, so her breeder asked us if we could take her. She knew the care a tiny dog would need, so she didn't want to sell her. She gave us Gracie, knowing full well that Gracie would receive all of the special care and love she needed. We lost Gracie and Kiwi a few years ago within four months of each other. After losing two so close together, we were too devastated to bring another puppy into our lives at that time. We waited too long, and Ashley got used to living the life of a princess. She had that life beforehand with her sisters too, but she got used to receiving 100% of our love. It needed to be just her. During the days when I was at work, Ashley stayed home with my husband, but otherwise she went everywhere with me. Up until a few days before she died, we walked together at least a couple of miles a day. At first, I carried her most of the time because I worried about it being too much for her. Her doctor kept urging me to let her walk if she wanted to, so I gradually increased her walking. The last year of her life, Ashley was walking 2 miles a day, weather permitting. She passed away two months ago, one month before she would have been seventeen. I haven’t walked since. Without her, there doesn’t seem to be any purpose for me. I completely came alive when Ashley and I walked together because I would see her so happy and animated. She also loved going anywhere she could see people. I would drive places and even took her shopping. I wear mostly the same brand of clothing because their stores are dog friendly and she could go there with me. It has been a few years since we lost Kiwi and Gracie, and it is still painful for my husband and me. But mostly, when we think about them and we talk about them (which is very often), a complete feeling of joy overtakes our hearts. They brought so much to our lives, and it is so worth the pain. With Ashley, the pain is very intense right now, but she and her sisters changed our lives. With everything that we have gone through with them, we are certain that we will be adding a couple of babies to our family again. They give so much and make our homes so much warmer and happier, and our lives are so much better because of them. I’m sorry this is so long; I didn’t want this to be about me. I just wanted to say that I understand and completely agree about what you are saying about Scooter. I truly hope he can stay with you a lot longer and not be in pain. It hurts so much to see them lethargic and not eating. I will be praying for Scooter and your family. I am so sorry that you have to go through this, but I'm so glad that Scooter wound up in your family because you have given him such a loving, happy life. I know how much better he made your lives too.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

I am so sorry for your obvious concern in Scooter's health! God Bless you and your family and a special prayer for Scooter!

What an amazing tribute to your "kids" and wonderful parents!

just a quick up date ----I have been away for a few days ----Ole Scoot is pulling himself out of the problems we have been talking about --he seems much better ----we have him back on his food --all though it.s based on boiled chicken breast --he loves it with his own royal canine---the Vet says there seems to be a bit more fluid around the heart but the heart seemed to be doing it,s job in spite of it ---we are going {next week} to take him to Toronto to get a ultra sound and then they can determine what med,s to put him on ---Thanks for all your prayers and all --It,s comforting to know there are still people out there like all of you who care that much about a little dog like Scooter -he thanks you for it

Dear mike;

I live in Toronto, if you are going to the VEH downtown Toronto, I want you to know I have been very happy with the quality and expertise there.

I hope he is crate trained, it would be best to bring him into the waiting room in a crate. I say this as it is one of the busiest hospitals in Toronto, with lots of dogs in the waiting room at all hours of the day.

I wish you and Scooter the very best of life together. If you want more infor please PM me. I do know some of the docs there.

yes all the info i can get would be welcome---do you think i will be able to get the examination and ultra sound the same day or am i going to heve to make two trips---we tought we might go to guelph it,s closer for us but they couldn,t take him untill sometime late in oct.......whereas the place in---- to----. Could take him most anytime and the dr,in charge there used to be the head vet in the guelph college heart dept.....so i thought she must be good ------

They should be able to do this examin and ultra sound in one day. Call them up explain you are coming in from out of town. Ask for both the one day.

Alright for parking there is metered parking on the sidestreets near the VEH as well as a parking lot in front of a furniture store. Reasonable rates.

If for some reason you need to spend the night please private message me, I can help there too.

I've not been to her, but two of the other vet specialists there and been very pleased If you'd like to share her name, I can do some research here and there.

Gail; how do I get your e mail adddress to private e-mail you

Just click on my name and there will be an option to send a private message to me.

vet hosp.appoint
 

We have an appointment with Dr Wilson on Thur at 1 o,clock MIKE BETTIE

That's very good advice. I know from experience that you have to bee really careful when you get a puppy from a lousy breeder. We have have 4 dogs and everyone of them had some kind of a problem. Our Basset Hound has chronic problems with her front paw, our Shorkie came with a herniated umbilical cord. Thank heaven they were honest and they called us. We were able to go to their vet and have it corrected for no charge. The last one was a Yorkie who came with a serious kennel cough. Thank God we were able to cure him. You're so right after you get the dog home the breader washes their hands of it.

I am sorry to hear that your Scooter is ill, remember it is the quality of life and not the quantity that matters.