Reporting a breeder

[Pamela1221]

Hi just wondering if anyone knows of where to make a report of a problem experienced with a breeder? My breeder has not been acting responsibly regarding the health condition of the puppy I purchased from them. I really expected more from them. They act like all their other puppies were perfect and wonder what my problem is. I don't want to return my puppy but I just think there must be someplace out there that takes reports on breeders so that this kind of information is available to others. My puppy has congenital inflammatory bowel disease which is life long and very serious. My breeder has no interest in learning about this disease and has already bred the same two dogs again (since last spring).

thanks to all,

[johnwa]

I'm sorry to hear about your puppy, and thank you for not using proper names here.

First things first: Do you have a written contract with this breeder? And if yes, what specifically does it state regarding health issues?

[2blondebabes]

That's too bad about the breeder. My puppy had some health issues, although not like yours, but she was more than happy to offer any advice, etc. she had. She referred me to her vet for a second opinion, kept in constant contact with me the whole time, and consistantly returned my calls or emails. Although my puppy's problem. (chronic UTI and vaginitis) was not life threatening or life altering she was happy to offer any assistence she could. If I would have asked, she would have happily taken the puppy back. Of course, we were already in love with Riley and wouldn't have given her back for anything! I am sorry I don't know who to report her to, but as a responsible breeder, it is her job to make sure you are happy with your puppy and that she will offer any assistence you need. :(

[diiorio]

Even in the best breeding pairs, you can get puppies with some problems. IBD (Inflammatory Bowl Disease) is easier treated and cared for then severe issues, but the breeder should cover the initial exams for diagnosing it. At his point knowing the puppy has such a sensitive stomach, diet is the key. The good news is so many prescription foods are available. Your Vet may recommend putting him on Eukanuba Low Residue puppy food, or a similar Hills, IVD or other prescription food.

Like John said, check your contract. A single puppy in a litter with IBD doesn't mean poor breeding. Even though it is important for breeders to make notes of it that could be important to future breeding should others also have the issue. A responsible breeder welcomes the information.

You are going to need to keep him/her on a steady diet. No table scraps or fancy doggie snacks. Some dogs cope with it better as they get older. Others need to be restricted more. Believe it or not some dogs are fine on the food their parents are raised on, but not others other then the low res food. We often see puppies have diarrhea from owners doing a to sudden of a switch. They have a case of IBD, then grow out of it. However most dog's have the problem for life. The only real way to know is if the vet used a scope to look at the intestine lining and took a small sample. You stated your vet told you it is life treating? That is very rare unless he did get the needed sample to determine the severity of it. It is harder on the pup when they have it from the get go. But Diet change and supportive care most often gets them threw it. A pup presented for severe Diarrhea, or vomiting is not enough to Diagnose IVD. Radiographs often won't be enough either, since they can point to multiple conditions. Did they see a problem i nthe intestines that cna prevent proper absorption and flow? Ultrasounds can help see the intestines, but they need to pass a scope, and take a small sample, to know for certain. We see IBD often, and haven't lost many patients to it. It's important to know the cause, is it Crohn's disease(similar to humans but not the exact same thing) related? Or a Congenital defect of the small intestines?

Call the breeder, make a complaint to your states Golden Retriever club, and the National Golden Retriever Club if he/she offers no help or interest. Caring breeders find any info welcome that has to do with their pups. If this is a serious IBD condition then a refund is in order, depending on the contract. However many breeders require either a return of the dog, or only partial refund after so much time. Some cover initial treatments of dog's and need a report to record it in breeding log's to reevaluate breeding pairs should more problems recur.

Get a specialist to check into the complete IBD problem. IBD is a general term for multiple diseases that cause the condition. Find out the exact cause, the treatment and go from there. The only way to know for certain is more tests. Basic Exams can't diagnose it enough. If the dog is very young, I.V. Fluid support and medications are often needed, then a change in diet is indicated. Hopefully the lining is effected only, and the change will help it greatly.

[BearBiskit]

Please make sure your IBD is properly diagnosed. My first Golden was diagnosed with this disease but it was actually congenital kidney disease that was improperly treated for the first 2.5 years of his life. Needless to day when I found out I was livid and took his vet to court and before our state licensure Board. Thank goodness we prevailed but our darling Zeke only lived to be 4 years of age so make sure your diagnosis is correct.

[Pamela1221]

To answer all of your questions, I do have a contract from the breeder which basically states that for any health reason withing 10 days of purchase I can return the puppy. This became evident around 20 days and I wouldn't have returned her at that point anyway. That's as specific as it gets.

Yes she did have biopsies done when she was spayed. Lesions were visible and the biopsies confirmed a proliferation of lymphocytic/plasmycytic cells and eosophinals as well. They did not give me a cause of the IBD other than saying it is congenital. She has been on Eukanuba KO (kangaroo and oatmeal) since October. I did not say it was life threatening but rather Life-Long.

I just feel like the breeder has no respect and shows no concern and that is troubling to me.

bearbiskit-did Zeke have biopsies taken that they thought showed IBD or no? I am very sorry to hear about that happening to Zeke.

[CaynCher]

It has been my experience that no matter where you buy a pup-- breeder, pet shop etc. cavet emptor unless it is stated in the contract once you buy and accept the pup it will be your problem. If the contract stated 10 days and it occurred at 20, legally the breeders off the hook unless they choose otherwise.