Golden Retriever - Hip Dysplasia

In_tuition

My 7-month-old puppy has just been diagnosed as having 'Hip Dysplasia'.

I've spoken at length with the Vet this morning, who was extremely helpful and my puppy is going for an x-ray midweek.

Fairly shocked at the moment with the news as it totally limits his activity for the immediate future and the thought of his pain in recent weeks is upsetting.

Is anyone else in a similar position?

The Vet suggested (following an x-ray) that my puppy may need a hip-replacement (if I wanted to take that route) around 18 months or so which costs €3000-€4000. Although cost is not an issue and I wouldn't exchange him for the entire world please read below...should my puppy really have been produced?

I purchased my puppy at a relatively 'cheaper', not cheap, price than was been offered elsewhere for his breed so now I am thinking that perhaps his parents had the same issue and if so isn't this extremely poor etiquette by the breeders to make a few bucks knowing that puppies are going to be in pain?

I know I am speculating but I fugured something didn't add up from day 1. The breeders gave me the incorrect papers and between unanswered phone calls and fobbing off over the course of the last few months from them I evetually received the correct papers last week. (well I think they are the correct papers!)

Any guidance, input would be greatly appreciated.

morganafay

There's a good chance the parents have hip dysplasia too and should really have been checked for it. There's not much you can do now I guess but you could call the breeders and tell them anyway. They aren't likely to give you your money back, but there's a possibility they don't know about the hip dysplasia and will keep breeding more. They might know already and really shouldn't be breeding their dogs if their hips are bad.

A girl I know has the same problem, her Basset Hound (less than a year old) has hip dysplasia and spinal problems but luckily she has insurance. It's really sad that there are breeders like that

In_tuition

You are true in what you say.

In hindsight I should have checked but I never purchased a puppy before and had no idea such a problem lay within dogs. At time I was too keen and even the incorrect papers passed me by.

I will contact and make the case known and as you say if they are aware it's a terrible thing to do.

Thanks very much, really appreciate your reply.

morganafay

It wasn't your fault though. I did the same thing with my dogs, I never knew the problems Cavaliers can have so I never asked the breeders anything about it. Luckily they're all healthy.

It's completely the breeder's fault

Morganna

Dogs /pups can still get hip dyspalsia even if the parents have excellent hips scores.