Just purcahsed a Chihuahua puppy he will be ready to be shipped by plane to me soon. The breeder sent a list of his food requirements and eating schedule. In the list was Prednisone. She is currently giving this to the pup and said she will continue untill she ships so she does not stress out. She also said I can continue with this for a while longer. I am concerened, any breeders do this? Is this normal? Should I talk to my vet about this before I get the puppy?
2007-05-24 05:42:12 · 14 answers · asked by starnickel 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You really want to know why a puppy is on steriods.
2007-05-24 05:47:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid you're buying a sick puppy from an internet puppymill. DON'T DO IT! Prednisone is a serious and dangeous medication and has NOTHING to do with stress. Something is wrong with that pup and the breeder is keeping it from you.
Please don't support any other than truly responsible breeders.
Here are some suggested questions one can use to determine if a breeder is truly responsible:
1. Is she an AKC registered breeder of good standing and an active member of her breed Parent Club?
2. Are there AKC Champions listed on the pedigree, showing that the breeder spends her time & money to prove the quality of her breeding stock through competition?
3. Are all the animals kept in clean, comfortable, healthy, loving circumstances?
4. Did the breeder conduct extensive interviews with you and every member of your family?
5. Have the sire & dam received all available health clearances, (eg. OFA Hip & Eye, Thyroid testing, THESE VARY FOR EACH BREED)
6. Is she willing to honestly discuss any possible genetic defects that may exist in her line?
7. Does she have a Sales Contract?
8. Does the contract contain a clause stipulating that you spay or neuter the puppy before it reaches a certain
age?
9. Does the contract contain a clause stating that if at any time in the puppy's life, you can no longer care for it, it must be returned to the breeder? (This ensures that no animal bred by this breeder will ever end up in a shelter).
10. Will the breeder maintain contact with you for the life of the puppy to answer questions and help in general?
2007-05-24 14:13:01 · answer #2 · answered by K 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is why it is not good to buy a pup online. You cannot see the pup, see if it is healthy, see how and where it was raised. It is not normal for a puppt to be on prednisone unless there is a medical problem and if there is she should tell you about it. See this is why some breeders do not sell locally, they want to ship the pups out of state because the buyercannot examine the puppy and if they find out after it is shipped that the puppy is ill, well, it would be hard for you to sue them and they can get away with anything. I had a chihuahua puppy born with Hydrocephalus. It was on prednisone for that. That is a very serious condition. My pup was not expected to live but a few months. We had her for almost 4 yr and I miss her every day. I would talk to your vet and talk to the breeder and demand your money back. This pup is sick and may not even survive the trip home to you.
2007-05-24 13:41:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Prednisone is BAD NEWS. It's the type of medication that can do a lot of harm if it's used long term and if it is just stopped. Humans and pets need to be weaned off of prednisone, you can't just not take it.
Prednisone is a steroid...why would your puppy be on it? Have you checked out this breeder completely? You can go on the BBB site and have them checked out. Something sounds horribly wrong with this situation.
NO, it is not normal. If the puppy is on prednisone, he must have some kind of problem. It isn't something prescribed for anxiety. Did you see this puppy in person?
Yeah, I'd talk to the vet about this AND check the breeder out on the Better Business Bureau site.
2007-05-24 13:30:24 · answer #4 · answered by iamsosmart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just ask the breeder this question; don't accept things on face value; you are paying , ask all the questions that you want and need; personally, I would never buy a pup without seeing it first, seeing the parents, seeing the environment etc; visiting etc ; prednisone is a steroid not a relaxer; the pup is going to be stressed , think of it; torn away from parents and siblings, all alone, on a plane , no comfort, no human contact; I am afraid and I am not a new puppy ; animals have feelings too ; I raised several litters and know first hand; you have to really watch and pay attention to know this to be true; you would be amazed if you watched them 24 x 7 for 10 weeks ; we still keep in contact some 5 years later ; she is giving something with scent on it ; is the puppy cheaper this route?? sight unseen??
2007-05-24 12:49:07 · answer #5 · answered by sml 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would absolutely ask the breeder and my vet. I breed chi's and have never used steroids unless a medical condition existed. Keep in mind you are taking on a big responsibility with a new puppy don't walk into it blind. I recommend you purchase from a local breeder so you can personally see the environment the puppy's are being raised in. You want to request to see the mother and father also and any other dogs they might have. My prospective puppy parents come to my home many times before they finally take their puppy. I require this not only to check me out but I also want to check them out if I don't think they will give my baby's the home I think they deserve I WILL NOT sell to them. I love my dogs with all my heart I don't breed for the money I breed for the love of the breed. I have already kept full litters because I wasn't happy with prospective buyers. I guess that's why I have 17 dogs!!! LOL
2007-05-24 13:00:12 · answer #6 · answered by Val 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have never shipped a puppy nor would I with one so small, but this does not seem right to me. I'm thinking the puppy has to be sick? Prednisone is a very strong steroid (I have taken it for major asthma attacks)
Speak with your vet about this as I may well be wrong, but I can;t see any way a steriod will stop a dog from stressing.
2007-05-24 12:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by Mr. P's Person 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where on earth did you find this breeder?
I'm a Yorkie Breeder and I'm involved with conformation dog shows... I'm also opening up a doggie daycare for small dogs only. So there's my background and confirming the I do in fact have the knowledge to answer your question.
Last year I looked into adding Chihuahua's to my family and opted not to... too many breeders are screwing up the breed.
I don't know where you are but I will suggest:
1. Go to a dog show and asking one of the Chihuahua breeders for some advice.
2. G to the ckc, akc or westminister web site; look for winning Chihuahua breeders and e-mail them your questions.
Please only accept advice from professionals in your particular breed (not a backyard breeder either).
Even vet's might not have the right answers (I'm going to try to change the vet system) as they are schooled on ALL ANIMALS and "can't" know everything (it's not their fault).
2007-05-24 14:33:03 · answer #8 · answered by aljo 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are many reasons animals are put on steroids. If I were you I would find out before the puppy comes why he is on them. It's unusual for a young puppy (I'm assuming he's only a few months of age)to be on them and there are some things that animals are put on steroids for that will be with that animal for the long term. It's best to know exactly what you are getting into with this puppy.
Steroids can actually increase stress not decrease it and they have a lot of other unpleasant side effects as well.
2007-05-24 12:52:59 · answer #9 · answered by lolipoplili 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely talk to the vet about Prednisone. I believe that's an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat asthma in people. I have no idea what it could be used for in dogs.
And why would a normally healthy pup need such a powerful drug in the first place?
Can you get your money back - I hope she came with a guarantee and certificate of health.
Yeah. ask your vet about this one.
2007-05-24 13:04:17 · answer #10 · answered by Barbara B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No this is not normal. Have you seen recent pictures of your puppy? I would ask the breeder for a licensed vet's statement on why the puppy is on Pred. Read here on Puppy strangles. http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=2&cat=1614&articleid=3442 I bet you this is what the pup is being treated for.
2007-05-24 13:00:41 · answer #11 · answered by bear 2 zealand © 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋