Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Would you return puppy to breeder?

99 replies

NorthernAnnie · 06/03/2013 21:45

We bought a cross breed puppy. He is now 10 months old and has numerous allergies including grass and certain foods. He is now on an expensive diet, can't walk on grass, our vet's bills are huge and not likely to get any less and he sheds heavily which aggravates DS's asthma. We love him but in hindsight we should have been more careful about where we bought him from. I have realised the breeder was a BYB, she hadn't had her dog (or the stud) health tested although she was a much loved family pet. Would it be awful to return him to her?

OP posts:
Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 11:15

(That sad face was for our dog by the way)

OP posts:
Lucyellensmum95 · 07/03/2013 11:41

Have you posted about this dog before? I thought you said it was a cross-breed? or is it one of those bloody designer dogs? I would have thought if you can afford to buy one of those, you can afford the associated bills tbh.

TantrumsAndBalloons · 07/03/2013 11:53

Theres no way a breeder could guarantee a non shedding dog.

I was going to post more, but other more rational posters have said it all.

Floralnomad · 07/03/2013 12:22

You've been given plenty of advice about dealing with the shedding and so that makes this a purely financial decision . Personally I can't understand anyone giving up a pet for the reasons you've given . Most of these types of breeders are only in it for the money so I doubt she would take back a potential money pit , likewise there are loads of dogs without these issues in rescues so I can't imagine he would find the home he deserves very quickly . Poor puppy.

rain2012 · 07/03/2013 13:51

The first owners of my dog gave her back to the breader (who wasn't a good one at that) and we rescued her. You would be amazed at the psychological problems all that causes her. I would go through a good charity to find the dog a fantastic new home.

D0oinMeCleanin · 07/03/2013 14:39

That's bollocks what your vet said btw, allergy tests can be done to pin point the cause of the allergy, if it's a skin condition, if not then an exclusion diet can pin point food allergies, skin tests cost in the region of £1000 but should be covered by your pet insurance. Exclusion diets you do at home under the guidance of a vet.

I'm guessing he's some sort of 'oodle cross? A Labradoodle probably? Sounds like he has inherited the lab coat This should help, along with regular trips to the groomers to be clipped

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs · 07/03/2013 14:52

first of all, this is one of the huge frustrations I have with BYB. They don't think/ know/ care about potential genetic problems- just stick one dog with the other, bingo, cute puppies, loads of dosh. Every single breed (or designer breed) that becomes popular mysteriously seems to present more and more commonly with skin problems/ other defects, which I can't help but assume is down to people with no actual deep interest/ knowledge in the breed pumping out puppies. These kind of breeders will NOT be remotely prepared to take the dog back, because to them it was a financial transaction, and they don't really care (unlike proper breeders, who would be horrified to discover problems in their lines)

having said that, as atopy is SO common in dogs these days, it would be a disaster if everyone who owns an atopic dog gave it up! Vet bills are, unfortunately, one of the issues of owning dogs, and should have been factored into your decision to get a dog, really. Think yourself relatively lucky- there are other conditions that cost even more, and any dog can become unwell.

I'd say follow some of the advice above, and speak to your vet about possible treatment options. these cases are frustrating and difficult for vets and owners, and uncomfortable for the dog, but the aim is to manage rather than cure the condition, and it can take a while to get it right. Good luck

Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 15:05

Another problem is also the costs. We had petplan insurance, DH lost his job and we were advised to get PDSA, he then got the skin condition. DH is starting a new job in 2 weeks so we will have to get insurance, they won't cover us for his skin condition (medication/treatments etc) as it will be a pre-existing condition. I also suspect he has bad hips but if this is confirmed while we are still with PDSA insurance will not cover that either. He's a golden retriever/poodle cross btw.

OP posts:
Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 15:06

ThePlatypusAlwaysTriumphs - Absolutely, I've learned a lot through mumsnet about BYB and had I known I would never have bought from one for all these reasons.

OP posts:
happygardening · 07/03/2013 19:31

OP we can all be clever in retrospect and I feel sorry for you. You have got real problem if your DS is really allergic to the dog hair because despite what some say if you DS's asthma is exacerbated by the dog it may not be possible to control it by adjusting his medication. Effective control in an environment where your DS is allergic to dog hair may only be achieved by increasing inhalers etc to a level where he is at risk of serious side effects (children are at higher risk than adults) and most paediatricians will advise you to get rid of the dog before contemplating doing this.

Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 19:32

Does anyone know how much it would potentially cost to treat/medicate a dog with allergies? Each time we have been to the vet it has cost £85 for a 5 minute consultation and 2 weeks of medicine.

OP posts:
Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 19:35

happygardening - Thanks for being understanding. I do brush him, hoover, sweep and mop daily as well as opening windows but he sheds literally handfuls a day.

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 07/03/2013 19:36

What medicine? Mine gets Metasomething shampoo (£6 a bottle) and topical steroid creams (£6 a tube) plus extra for gloves to apply it, occasional jabs for £8 each and Piriton £3.

Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 19:38

The problem is that he has needed antibiotics in conjunction with the steroids as it keeps turning into a bacterial infection

OP posts:
D0oinMeCleanin · 07/03/2013 19:42

Antibiotics shouldn't push the price up that much, you really need to find the cause of the allergy to treat it successfully. I'd see a different vet, tbh, the consultation fee at yours must be very expensive.

idirdog · 07/03/2013 19:52

I can't believe this thread. No is the answer to your thread title.

Stop making excuses because things are a bit difficult at the moment - just get on with looking after your dog.

Start asking sensible questions on here on how to make it easier for you but just giving you dog away is irresponsible. Man up to the task fgs - allergies are easy to manage

daisydotandgertie · 07/03/2013 20:01

Right. Well you clearly have a problem which needs fixing.

What has the vet done so far to identify allergens? What tests have been done and what are the results?

Which food is he on and why? Which other foods have you tried?

How do the dogs allergies show themselves?

The breeder is unlikely to accept the dog back as she is clearly not a committed breeder. In addition, a dog is not something which can be returned as faulty, you get what you get, tbh.

There's no dog in the world which is non shedding, but food and allergens can exacerbate it, somthe food questions are important ones.

Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 20:18

He had red crusty spot on his body and started shedding his coat, the vet tried him on three different types of antibiotics & steroids, this went on for a few months, she then did a skin test as his skin went black in patches, they found out what bacteria it was and started him on different antiobiotics which he was on for 6 weeks. They worked but didn't clear it up so we had to do an elimination diet. This has worked a bit but she thinks because of where his skin is bad it is grass related too so we are keeping him off the grass at the moment... PDSA won't pay for allergy testing and the vet said it isn't always accurate and is very expensive and that we may never know the exact cause. In the meantime DS has also been having really bad flare ups of eczema and getting quite wheezy with his asthma. It's just a nightmare for our dog & DS.

OP posts:
miggy · 07/03/2013 20:31

Have they treated for sarcoptic mange just in case, don't always see it on one scrape and would explain some of these symptoms

needastrongone · 07/03/2013 20:34

Annie, I hope you get this sorted and it must be very stressful for all concerned. Bloody myths about doodles being hypoallergenic!

We keep out puppy in the kitchen. I had thought to let him have more freedom as he grew but actually this suits us all, particularly with DH having asthma. I do all the things others mention, mop, wipe, brush the dog, clean the surfaces and open the windows, all daily but it's only one room at least. Luckily, it's a large room with sofas, chairs and a TV so we all stay in there until puppy sleeps at night, in fact we spend more time as a family now.

Sorry, did you mention what food he's on? Can you feed just chicken wings or something for a while, we get a big bag for £1 from the farm shop, puppy has two for his tea instead of kibble.

Hope it works out, I suspect the breeder wouldn't want to know.

Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 20:39

Thanks Miggy & needsastrongone, they thought it might be fox mange at first, that's sarcoptic mange isn't it? I can't remember why she decided it wasn't, I will ask again.

OP posts:
ReluctantBeing · 07/03/2013 20:40

The breeder would not have been able to tell how the dog's coat would turn out if it was a cross breed.
One of my hounds has bad allergies a d we have to be careful about what we feed him and he has a half ever tablet every day.

Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 20:41

I remember now, she said that because it's not on his face and he's not itchy it's likely not that

OP posts:
Original poster
NorthernAnnie · 07/03/2013 20:44

He's on hypoallergenic duck & rice kibble

OP posts:
miggy · 07/03/2013 20:52

Well worth a try then, cheap as chips to treat compared to the amount you have paid so far.
Honestly in your position I would be asking for a referral to a skin specialist, yes it will cost a bit (but not any where as much as most referrals) but you will get a diagnosis and proper treatment plan, given you have such a young dog you could actually save a lot of money over the next ten years or so if your current vets management is costing you that much each visit.
If he is not itchy then it's not an allergic skin problem, that's one of the key symptoms. Sounds a bit odd.

Swipe left for the next trending thread