Should the breeder offer me a refund?

[Orcagirl]

My puppy is 10 months old.

I went through the bleed club and was on a waiting list with a reputable breeder for 1 year before I took her home.

Long story short, she saw a specialist on Friday who confirned she had grade 3 patella luxation in both legs and will likely need surgery. She can't go on walks of any length at present, has been referred for hydro therapy and physio therapy, has arthritis already and is on joint supplements for the rest of her life. He confirmed it is a genetic condition. Both her parents went under extensive health tests and the breeder said she does not understand where it has come from.

It's a really stressful situation and my heart is breaking. Plus the costs are adding up. Someone has mentioned that the breeder should offer the purchase price back. When I have checked out the kennel club they also say this on the website if the puppy falls ill with a genetic condition.

What do i do? She cost a lot of money and the money I paid for would be invaluable right now, for her treatment. She is insured, thank goodness, but I have had the excess to pay plus 10% of the claim and her surgery will go into the thousands. Plus hydro and physio on top of that

Please be gentle on me, I'm upset and stressed about it all.

[missmouse101]

Read the OP! She has got insurance.

[BiteyShark]

The OP does have insurance but one of those that in hindsight costs a lot when you claim e.g. the 10% on top of any excess so any big bills means the OP still has to find a significant amount which is why I always advise reading the small print carefully.

[Sweetpeach3]

@missmouse101 @BiteyShark
I didn't see that. Also with insurance they don't cover for a lot of medical conditions tied with a full breed (I don't have insurance personallly) but even my vet stayed for the treatments iv had done I wouldn't of been covered anyway this is why I havnt had it.
But vet bills are part and parcel of having a pet sorry op
You never know what their going to do or if their going to injur themselves so you have to be prepared for the bill x

[Mama1980]

Ok sorry op but I don't think you can no. It's not the breeders fault sometimes these things just happen.
I haven't heard of anyone who has either tbh. Just part and parcel of being a dog owner.
I hope your dog makes a good recovery.

[Berkshiremumma]

You say the breeder has put the parents through extensive health checks so I would assume a patella location test has been carried out if this is a known disease within the breed
If the breeder has had this done then I think they have done everything right in trying to make sure these diseases arent present
They cant help it if a few generations back it has cropped up from other breed lines & has made a throwback
Sorry you & your dog are going through this but not sure you'd get any money back
My dog has had surgery on both legs for luxating patella & we took recovery slowly but she still enjoys life to the full & also went back to take part in fun agility. She's nearly 11, I've not kept up with her joint supplements but she's showing no signs of slowing down

[SlothMama]

If the breeders did all the nessecary health tests etc then I don't see why you could demand a refund as the puppies now 10 months old. The breeder can't know what puppies will develop what, if they knew about the risks before and sold the puppy willingly then fair enough.

If the dog developed cancer would you ask for a refund then? I'm afraid you'll have to suck it up and be glad you have pet insurance.