German Shepherd Dog > OCD (31 replies)
OCD by mb1 on 08 May 2012 - 18:28 |
| Hi, This is my first post and I am looking for some advice. I recently purchased an extremely expensive adult dog in Hutto texas. I noticed some slight lameness but just atributed it to her work (IPO). after two months she became three legged lame. I took her to OSU vet teaching hospital. They diagnosed her (by CT) with severe OCD. They further said she can not be worked and should not be bred. Because the previous owner will make no restitution and will not accept the dog back I will have to spay her and find a pet home. My question is does anyone know about surgery for this type of OCD? I was told by OSU that the outcome for shoulder surgery is usually quite good but her OCD is in the hock and that has a poor prognosis. At this point the $13,000 I paid for the dog is gone and I am just trying to do the right thing for a very deserving animal. |
by JakodaCD OA on 08 May 2012 - 18:51 |
| I had a female years ago with OCD in the knees, can't help with other locations, but did surgery, she came thru fine, I even went back to agility with her for a time, retired her at 8 years old, she lived until 13.. Sorry for your problems, glad you have the dogs best interest at heart |
by mb1 on 08 May 2012 - 22:56 |
| Thanks for the input, that gives me some hope. I have given her to a girl that is losing her sight. They hope eventually to train her as a seeing eye dog but are aware of her condition. I would love to be able to prolong her relative comfort. OSU said I would probably be looking at amputation within the year. |
by Kalibeck on 08 May 2012 - 23:32 |
| For more hope, read "Hocks" by Fred Lanting. I'm sorry I can't post a link as I'm posting from my aged phone, but I Googled -OCD in Hocks, dog- & the article was one of the selections offered. Good luck to you & your girl. I had a young bitch with hock issues, & my vet told me I was nuts, do she never got treated. She's matured & still has a funny shortened stride in that rear leg, but doesn't favor it, jumps, runs, & has a good quality of life, although the schutzhund career planned for her was scrapped. jackie harris |
by mb1 on 09 May 2012 - 02:19 |
| Thanks so much for the tip. I will google the information as soon as I finish this post. Unfortunately I think my IPO career is scrapped along with hers. At $13,000 I think I spent my dog money for a while. |
by yellowrose of Texas on 09 May 2012 - 04:48 |
| Unbelievable that a dog breeder or owner in HUTTO < TEXAS did this... This news is very upsetting...$13,000.00?????? that is a whole years salary for me...unbelievable...DID you not have this dog health examined before you took possession I hope this is a LESSON TO ALL READING THIS THREAD......MERCY ME.. I WOULD GLADLY SELL YOU MY OFA GOOD BITCH FOR 5 AND YOU CAN PUT HER TITLES ON HER.. no ON SECOND THOUGHT... I will kiss her and glad she is healthy , wealthy and black as an ace of spades and I am sorry you got TAKEN My partner is on her way to HUTTO...with CUZO.... Germelhaus will sell you a capable candidate for IPO..IF YOU really can get some of your money back...You need to try.. Cuzo is her breeding and he is awesome Good luck Yr |
by jvp on 09 May 2012 - 05:37 |
| I just can't believe a reputable breeder/trainer would not make right your situation. anyone with integraty or a sense of decency would offer a refund or at very least offer another dog of equal quality. that sure gives a bad reputation to all in the business. who is it that did such a selfish and heartless thing? i know of a couple people in the Hutte, texas area that train and show german shepherd dogs for schutzund. there are many places around the country and world to buy quality german shepherds and i will be sure to stay clear of Hutte. jvp |
by Kalibeck on 09 May 2012 - 05:50 |
| I will add, however; kudos to you for not using your situation to start a public mud-slinging at the breeder who wouldn't do right by your girl. I hope some restitution is made, both for you & your poor bitch. I have a feeling you're one of those who would use any recompense to better her situation, rather than your own. Good luck. jackie harris |
by Rik on 09 May 2012 - 09:40 |
| It is very doubtful that an adult dog was sold and the seller did not know there was a problem, especially if lameness was noted soon after purchase. It's up to the OP as to what they do or say, but mud slung at unethical people is mud earned. jmo, Rik |
by mb1 on 09 May 2012 - 11:30 |
| I didn't intend to start a mud sling but of course I am pretty upset about the way I have been treated. I made that money working my drug dog in schools, it takes a long time to get to $13,000. As to doing a vet examination I wanted to do one but I am very new to the sport and deferred to my trainer. He said her hips and elbows were good and the seller was a friend of his so it was not necessary. Guess I should have figured it out when he said she was a friend. Loyalty goes to the friend not the client. He also has washed his hands of the situation and will personally do nothing to help me or the dog. |
by Rik on 09 May 2012 - 11:44 |
| mb1, it would be pretty much impossible to test a dog for every thing. The things like H/E are pretty simple and straight forward. But it's the things seldom heard or experienced that can easily be hidden. A spine issue, EPI, etc can easily be covered up. There is probably little you could have done to protect your self other than maybe a certain time period for the dog to pass a vet evaluation. It's a sad story and $13,000 is an incredible amount of money for most. A lot can be said for your character in that you placed the dog and took the loss, rather than trying to pass it on to the next unsuspecting person. Here's hoping you recover and continue on in your goals. best, Rik |
by beetree on 09 May 2012 - 11:59 |
| Rik, you rock. mbi, yours is now, a very cautionary tale. I am hoping the dog responds well to the surgery. You paid the $13K as a lump sum? And didn't get your own vet to check the dog? That is a big caveat emptor mistake. OUCH. |
by mb1 on 09 May 2012 - 12:22 |
Thanks to everyone for the advice. I read the hock article. It was fairly consistent with what I learned at OSU. Surgery can help if done early but unfortunately she is almost 3. As I said I am new at this I tried to get started with my drug dog a couple of years ago but he has elbow problems so I am afraid to jump him. I have actually purchased three puppies from reputable breeders that have had, EPI, spinal degenerative, and ED. But they where pups so of course you could not tell. The symptoms did not show until 2-4 years at which point there is no way I would give them up .I decided on the older dog so I would be sure she would work and be healthy. I guess there is no sure thing. |
by beetree on 09 May 2012 - 12:24 | |
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by Kalibeck on 09 May 2012 - 20:55 |
| It is very discouraging....I haven't forked out $13,000.00 in one lump sum, but if you add up the surgeries, vet bills, x-rays & diagnostics for my dogs, I'm quite sure we're in the same ball park, probably exceeded. I'm an LPN, I don't make a lot of $$$ either, & my dogs were all researched back several generations to try to ID any future problems......ALL have one problem or another. Spinal injury, hip dysplasia, elbow problems, EPI, corneal issues, the aforementioned hock issues, cryptorchid, intersusseption, cancer....I'll never be able to retire, because of my dog's health care needs! And all parents were screened, but some things simply aren't that detectable, & breeders generally don't announce their issues. Now I'll add that out of the 7 pups from my only litter, 4 owners are happy with no problems. I kept back the 2 females with issues, & I placed 1 puppy with a lady who knew about his issue, & neutered him, & she loves him to death & he couldn't be happier, but she paid for a knee surgery on the same pup. They are very atheletic climbers & hikers, & the dog goes on every hike, every climb, so........whether or not that had anything to do with his knee injury, I don't know. But it sure makes planning any kind of career with this breed a crap shoot. You must need really deep pockets to keep taking hits like that.....or maybe a good tax accountant! Good luck, jackie harris |
by mb1 on 09 May 2012 - 23:13 |
| They say misery loves company but I am sorry you are probably my company at the vet's office. I think OSU holds the second mortgage on my house. What I don't quite understand is that my mother raised GSD in the 80's and with probably 50 pups we had one get cancer at 9 and another had siezures. Like you I have researched the dogs I buy with terrible results. My mother recently purchased a puppy with HD. There is no happy ending to that however, the breeder gave her pick of any pup in the kennel. |
by jvp on 10 May 2012 - 02:38 |
| There is no way they sold you a 3 year old dog without knowing there was a problem. You said they were in Hutto but not who actually sold you the dog. There are a few people in Hutto, care to say who stuck you? jvp |
by mb1 on 10 May 2012 - 02:56 |
| Sorry, JVP, I don't think this is the forum for that. If you really need to know then please contact me privately. |
by Robert1969 on 10 May 2012 - 04:37 |
| Hey i am new to IPO and am looking for an adult dog. when i ask about breeders i always hear great things about somebody's friend but it is like people are afraid to say anything about the bad ones. Before i buy a dog i want to know the good, bad, and the ugly about any breeders. you might think you are being nice or whatever by not naming names but it doesn't help the next guy |
by workingdogz on 10 May 2012 - 10:35 |
| A little late, but better late than never- You asked if a pre-purchase exam is standard in dogs? Honestly, no. It never ceases to amaze me how many people will drop sizeable sums on a dog and NOT have it vetted first. Always always ALWAYS pay for a very throrough pre-purchase exam on an adult dog! -re xray hips, elbows spine etc -blood panel, urinalysis -semen analysis if a male -check teeth -check tattoo/microchip -ask to see unedited CURRENT video of the dog working or watch the dog yourself if possible -verify all paperwork with appropriate associations If a seller tries to fast talk you out allowing these things to be done, move on to the next dog! There is NO shortage of dogs for sale. Above all else, if you are going to ship the dog to you? YOU fly to the dog before handing over final payment. It will likely be the same $$ for you to fly and pick up the dog as to ship, so why not go yourself. Be sure ALL paperwork is IN hand, signed over to you etc. If the dog is AKC registered, you may want to verify the seller is in good standing with them as well before purchasing. Sorry you had to learn the hard way. I am with several others here, you serve no one but the scam artist by not revealing their identity. I will also have to be a little blunt, you must also put some of the blame in your own hands for not doing your research first. If you are a horseman, you know how horsetraders operate, dog brokers can be much the same way. The dog world just plain sucks sometimes! |







