how many paid good money only to end up with health problems?
 

Just curious, how many on here saved and paid good money for their yorkie only to find out that he/she had problems or wasn't what they paid for? Did the health turn out not to be good, or bigger than expected, or overbite, etc? Just wondering how many paid good money for a healthy dog but after a while found health problems BUT I don't want to get into a breeder bashing thread. In fact, probably best not to mention the breeder at all. I purposly saved and paid good money for a healthy dog to find out a year later that he has a serious problem.
yorkieskater

This doesn't include me but I wanted to say I am sorry that happened to you.

Thank you. I'm very distressed over it especially being that I took time to research good breeders, interview, and saved money purposly to avoid the HUGE medical bills and future intense care and medical bills I will be paying. I don't think I will ever pay as much as I did again for a dog.
I'm just curious to find out if it happens a lot to people especially those who make a modest living and save for a healthy dog. Are these high prices really worth it if genetic or congenital problems can happen in any breed line??
But as I said, don't want to get into a breeder bashing thread.
yorkieskater

I have always had good luck with my animals. Never had one that had health problems. Everyone has told me that I was extremely lucky. Gracie has luxating patellas. She is my first fur kid with a health issue. You know, the more I think about it, I don't see it being any different than with people. How many people do you know that go through life without some sort of health problems? About the only thing my breeder guaranteed against was liver shunt and thank goodness so far Gracie does not have that. I guess health issues are a risk you take with any fur kid, or skin kid for that matter.

I paid $400 more for Jewels than she usually charges for females because she was supposed to be a tiny and she is now 6lbs. She is healthy though so I am glad for that

I paid a good price for Cali from a BYB and did not reearch enough, She had over 7,000 in vet bills in the first 8 months of her life. Thank God my parents and insurance helped pay some of it, She has constant allergies, MVD, had many hypoglycemic episodes and I was told she was going to be 3 lbs, not that I cared but she charged more for her than her sisters, and she is 5 lbs. But I never regretted getting her. When I got Pixie a year later, I researched and went through a very reputable long time well known breeder and got her at 13 months. I knew her adult weight, her coat type and her health history. She was expensive but no where near what I paid for Cali and her vet bills. I have learned so much on YT and hopefully know what to look for now.

breeders
 

The breeders I have dealt with over the years have made good on any problems..of which there were very few serious ones..I got one girl with Legg Perthes..the breeder returned the money and gave we gave her to a vet tech who had the surgery done at no cost to her...
I did hear about one pet owner at the club meeting last evening who had $60,000 vet bills..totally true!!

Did you get a health guarantee?

I'm up to about $3000-$4000 in medical bills with a lot of other problems and care going on here. I paid a lot for a healthy dog...sigh...Saved the money to buy him. Contract states I can give him back...never would do that. I just know that I won't spend that much on a dog again and just hope that I can find a nice pet breeder or do rescue (if I were to get him a friend)because I'm hearing that breeders can't control Liver shunts...so why pay such a high price for a pet yorkie?.
He is also double what his size was estimated to be, underbite, and maybe a cough? The biggest problem is that he has inoperable LS
Besides all the health issues, he acts normal and very active and is the best dog ever.
yorkieskater

If you purchased from a reputable breeder, I would think that they would at least refund you the price you paid or part of it not make you give it back. Also, did they bile acid test their pups before letting them go? I know not all breeders do this, but I know of some that do.

I bought my Benny for 2000.00 and at 11months old found out that he had hip displasia and spent over 1000.00 for surgery. So I never added up his bills but Im sure in total vet bills for his problem I may have a total of 1500.00 - 2000.00 I was so upset, I thought he would be the perfect little stud for me but now he is fixed but a great little guy and worth every penny. I learned my lesson quick about who NOT to buy a pup from.

Maybe when you are ready to get another one you can find an older one from a YT member and a health history. I really think I will only get an older one from now on. There are always people needing to rehome great ones on here.

I'm sorry for anyone who buys a puppy and has health issues to contend with. Many breeders' contracts will help with anything congenital if they are advised. Other's contracts are very specific as to what is covered and what isn't.

Patti has a good idea about the older puppy.

It is important to really read the contracts, discuss the "what ifs" with the breeder ahead of time, and get it in writing.

Again, I'm sorry that you're experiencing this--it is hard to see our pups in pain.

So far, I don't have any issues but all of mine are a year or younger.

When I brought Lula home, she had severe kennel cough.. but that was only around 250 dollars to remedy. Although I was not happy about spending that two hours after I got her =/.

I'm so sorry your furkid is going through this right now <3

Mine came home with kennel cough too. He has long legs, maybe a slight higher back, underbite, and it 10lbs instead of the 5.5 he was estimated to be. Originally I wanted a medium (not too small) yorkie because I travel and take him tow ork with me and I have back problems. Oh well...now I have a t-pot. His personality is awesome, he is beautiful, and the best silky shiny coat I've ever seen that does not matt. So the other stuff, I was willing to overlook.
I spent a lot of $$ because I was very clear that I wanted some years without majory health problems. I guess it is the luck of the draw. I understand backyard breeders are bad but I just can't see spending thousands of dollars for dogs who come with underbits and eventually LS so young (1 1/2 years old) which means more $$ for me that has already far exceeded the price of the dog. My last yorkie came from my stepfather's sister who bred her yorkie. He was bigger...looked more like a silky but was so healthy. Lived to 16 and probably would have done better had I not over done it with the vaccines. (he had a reaction to one at 13 and started developing tremors and seizures for the next 3 years).
The breeder this time originally offered to pay all the medical over thephone but is now backing out. I've also had some bad treatment but that is a long story and I dont' want to get into details.
I also know that she's already lied to people about the liver shunt dog that she has produced saying that she hasn't had any. What is the point of asking breeders questions if they aren't going to tell you the truth?
suz

I am sorry for the health problems that others are going through. It was through reading the posts of those with health problems that I purchased health insurance for Conner when he was a puppy. He is now 17 months old and I have only had to use the insurance for his regular vaccines.

At least I am relieved to know that if he has health issues, I have the insurance to help me.

How do you get pet heatlh insurance? I wonder if I can still get it for future bills?
yorkieskater

I'm very sorry you have a dog with health problems.
Is your breeder aware of them?
Do you feel your breeder knew the puppies were unhealthly?
I pray you dog will still be with you for many years.
Again...I am sorry your dog is not well.

I have two yorkies with health problems. The first one I got from a BYB and only paid $900. He has a collapsed trachea and a luxating patella in one hind leg. My other yorkie I got at 9 mths old has mild MVD. His breeder does bile acid test her puppies and his came back slightly elevated so she gave me the option of taking him for the deposit price I had already given her ($250) or she would refund my money. I wanted him so bad that I decided to take him and provide the best care I could give him. So far, his vet bills haven't been to bad. I took him to the University of Tennessee for evaluation and diagnosis. They were very reasonable. He is on a special diet and supplements for life.

I've just started treatment on my yorkie with the collapsed trachea. Once that's under control, I'll go to a specialist to look at his leg.

Funny, my first yorkie I had many years ago was so healthy and I did no research that time around.

I am sorry for those of you who are having health issues with your Yorkies.
Hope they all work out and your lives will be filled with joy for years to come.

I got Buddy from a broker ( no that now) and he is now 3 1/2. No health
issues thus far. I guess I'm one of the very few lucky ones.

I had a lot problems with my Yorkie, Katie, who has since passed away. :( I did not get her from a breeder (so I'm not sure if I should post in this thread because this is for people who got their dogs from BREEDERS, I got Katie from a pet store) but I've learned my lession and in the future, I will never buy from any pet store again. Katie was diagnosed with severe kidney disease at a little over a year old.

My Maltese, Codie, (also got him from a pet store) had a luxated patella in his rear left leg but we had surgery to fix it. He also has bad teeth and weak gums but I feed him good quality food, brush his teeth daily and he gets cleanings from the vet when needed. I'm trying to keep that problem in check ... I don't want him toothless by the time he's 5 years old. :p Thanks to the daily brushings, his teeth are usually sparkly white. He may not have the best teeth but he doesn't have ANY tear staining which is usually sooooo common in the Maltese breed! :p

On a positive note, my Cali (got her a breeder) is in tip top excellent health. :p (Sorry to digress but I always like to end on a positive note). :p

I've looked into pet health insurance but haven't purchased it yet. It doesn't cover a lot of problems (like it wouldn't have covered my Codie's luxated patella surgery). If you go to the website of the pet insurance, they will give you a list of things they do not cover for dogs and cats. It's a pretty long list but that doesn't mean the insurance isn't worth it because it has helped many people whose pets have different ailments.

I have it payroll deducted from work. It is VPI pet insurance through National Casuality Company. I have the superior plan - it covers office visits, shots, etc.

The do not cover preexisting conditions. Fortunately, Conner had none.

I bought Trace who ended up having Legg Perthes. I think that is doesnt matter how good of a breeder you are or how great your breeding stock it, there is always a chance of ending up with a puppy that has some time of health issue. It is how the breeder stands behind that dog that makes them reputable or not.

Be very careful with assuming that all is well if a pup is BA tested young and showed normal. A problem often may not show up until later and because the pup was BA tested it could absolve the breeder of responsibility when in fact, the pup had a problem just not severe enough for something to register.
I have also seen a BA test a bit above normal that was normal later.
BA tests are not as conclusive as many people, including uneducated vets in the matter, think.
A old time repro Vet I have consulted who also consults with Dr. Hutchings told me BA test only after 6 months of age, older is better and if no symptoms are present don't worry about it. I also tend to BA test small sized Yorkies but they don't go anywhere until close to a year of age already tested and spayed/neutered.
Yes, a reputable breeder should refund purchase price or take the puppy back if that's what the owner wants to do.

:thumbup:
I know exactly what you mean...And I am extremely careful about purchasing a puppy because I have a yorkie that has serious liver issues and bladder stones issues due to those liver problems, and I have researched all of this like a mad woman and continue to learn more everyday...He has seizures if he doesn't get his lactulose, and gets stones if this or that isn't exactly right.
When I bought my maltese, I waited until I could find one that was over 6 months old that had been spayed and bloodwork and normal tests from a repuatable breeder.
I don't believe that just because a 10wk old pup has normal BA, that means it can't have problems...They can have a problem that hasn't escalated yet. You know? And yes, there are times when it's slightly elevated but come back down within normal range the next time he/she is tested. Many things can cause slightly elevated BA's, even having given the dog flea medications the night before.
My point was that breeders should give the people the option to keep the dog and refund part or all of the money to help pay for medical bills if it's something like a portosystemic shunt.

You really have had to get educated real fast on this stuff and I am so sorry you went through all this with your little Yorkie.
Yes the money should be refunded and I would should something like that happen.
I no longer sell puppies less than 5 or 6 months old often older, already spayed/neutered etc. I am more sure of health issues at that age, size of the pup, temperment, and it is a much easier transition into a new home.
I find even selling an older one that I have run on for perhaps show purposes that didn't work out for me has no trouble bonding with a new owner and will say hello to me when they see me but run back to their new mom/dad.

Lorraine, I think that's absolutely wonderful!! There should be more breeders like you that are doing things the right way. My maltese was just as you described. She was 7 months old when we got her, and she had no trouble bonding with us at all. We bonded instantly, and she's a wonderful addition to our family :) After going what we have gone through, I would rather buy a puppy at 6, 9, even 12 months old from a breeder like you.

Can someone tell me what "LS" is? I did a search but can't find anything on it?

I am so sorry you are going through this with your baby...

I really appreciate your feedback. Some enquirers don't understand why it isn't a good idea to buy at 9 or 10 weeks or even 12 weeks. Yes it can work out but I just am not very willing to take that risk and I would rather have all the vacc's done by my Vet and they do the check ups at the same time of course. Most of them are already spayed/neutered and I know how well they take the anesthesia, have had the inhouse blood test done and I don't have to worry about someone wanting to breed. I BA test if they are small or I am just not sure about them or just because.
If someone insists on a younger pup, I wish them luck.
From my end, yes it is a lot of extra work and expense looking after puppies that long. Working wiht them, socializing them, getting them on a lead, cleaning up after them and feeding them. I don't have all that many at one time anyway usually. If I do have a couple of litters at one time, I dont have anymore coming up so can put the time into the ones I have.
I am glad it has worked out well with your Maltese. that is another breed that it is wise to buy it older as they too have the same potential for health problems if not more, than Yorkie have.

LS is Liver Shunt. Another thought to be genetic problem in Yorkies is Legge-Calves-Perthes which affects the tip of the long bone that fits into the hip socket.