My breeder is very nice and is keeping me well informed about the health of the golden retriever puppies but 3 out of 9 have died and they were born 5 days early. The vets at the hospital have diagnosed an intestianal bacterial infection and they may have a virus. Is there a possiblity the remaining puppies could beat this and be perfectly fine or would I be wise to back out of this litter and wait for another litter?
2006-08-18 15:47:29 · 10 answers · asked by Laura C 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
They puppies where born a week ago today (8/11)
2006-08-18 16:17:34 · update #1
Thanks for so many great answers...this breeder is not a "puppy mill." I did a lot of investigating, I have visited their home twice and the dogs are very happy and well cared for. They are hobby breeders
2006-08-18 16:50:32 · update #2
If you do decide to proceed do so with caution. Make sure their health guarantee (they will have one right?) includes specifics about what they are sick with. Puppies get sick sometimes... how old are they now? The younger they are the less chance they have of survival and the greater chance they have of ending up with permanent damage. There is a good chance that if they survive this (it would be better if you knew exactly what they were diagnosed with) that they will be healthy and make great pets. It really depends on what it is and how old they are. Also, if it is something viral it could effect the next litter as well (again, depends on the virus.) If the breeder is keeping you informed and is being in your opinion a good breeder then you might want to just wait and see. She's not going to sell you a pup that is still sick with a written health guarantee.
To be safe, before you get the puppy, talk with her vet about what exactly was the diagnosis was and then talk with your vet about the prognosis and possibility of long-term effect.
One week old puppies have an extremely weak immune system... they often rely on antibodies which they get from their mother right after birth... You should be cautious and not get your hope up at this point, especially since 3 have already died. In the event that they do survive please find out exactly what they were diagnosed with and talk with your vet about the long term prognosis. A major bout with parvo can leave a dog sickly for the rest of his life unfortunately, and it does attack the digestive system primarily but also the immune system. There will be no doubt in a few more days whether or not they have parvo, and the breeder and the vet won't lie to you about this because it is considered highly contagious. If they overcome this illness and they don't get sick again before they are ready to go to new homes there is a good chance they will end up perfectly healthy. Also, the ideal age to take them home is around 12+ weeks, 8 weeks is considered the bare minimum and it's sad that so many people use that as a standard in stead...
2006-08-18 15:56:41 · answer #1 · answered by tripforyou 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Puppy mill alert!
Not only should you back out of this litter you might consider going elsewhere. The big tipoff is that the breeder is keeping the dogs in such a bad state that they are infected(or infested). On the other hand, you might do one of those little pups a great favor by rescuing him or her from that breeder.
We got a boxer some years ago from a breeder that had been keeping their dogs outside. If we weren't so taken with this one little pup and felt so bad for it, we probably would have gone elsewhere. When they brought it into the house they sprayed it down to clean off the fleas. So many fleas fell off the pup that the relativelly white looking floor now appeared black. On the way home she got sick, probably from all the insecticide the breeder used to get rid of the fleas. And we wondered whether she would last the night. But with some luck and care she grew up fine and was a great dog.
Good luck with your choice!
2006-08-18 23:41:49 · answer #2 · answered by special-chemical-x 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would NOT buy a puppy from this breeder. There is something terribly wrong and I think you are setting yourself up for failure. Not only would it be wise to back out of buying a puppy from this litter, I woudn't buy a puppy from this breeder. I'd find a new breeder altogether. Good Luck
2006-08-19 06:27:09 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Verify if the bacterial infection is called polynephritis or ecoli. Both cause permanent kidney damage if survived. Both require special prescription diet of food, unbelievable medical care and constant testing and medication. If something got to part of the litter, it got to the whole litter. I personally would back out and find a different breeder altogether.
2006-08-19 00:43:37 · answer #4 · answered by J Somethingorother 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'd back out of the breeder and find a retriever at a rescue or shelter. They have many, many purebred puppies that need a home.
2006-08-18 22:52:14 · answer #5 · answered by Strange question... 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes- wait. We brought home a lab puppy that was sick 20 years ago and had her one night before we had to rush her to the vet where she died- we didn't get over that for about 5 years.
2006-08-18 23:25:04 · answer #6 · answered by C. S 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like the puppies have parvo (which is a bacterial virus) and is highly contagious and can(in most cases) kill the dog. If you take the pup home and it dies you cannot have another dog in your yard from 6 to 12 months.
THE NUMBER ONE RULE WHEN BUYING ANY ANIMAL IS NEVER EVER BUY A SICK ANIMAL!!
2006-08-18 23:05:03 · answer #7 · answered by jackij40 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
just keep looking because there are many golden retriever breeders out there.i breed the goldens but i don't have any right now. well good luck on your search for a golden.you made a good choice for a dog, the golden.
2006-08-19 00:24:29 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
if i were you i would definitely wait,for a healthier puppy!its better tpo be safe than sorry!
2006-08-18 22:53:08 · answer #9 · answered by cyndi b 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
why dont you adopt a puppy?
if no one adopts them they kill them
2006-08-18 22:54:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋