Larus von Batu Progeny IBD - Page 1

Several months ago we purchased an adult son of Larus von Batu. He was both trained and titled and brokered through a well-known kennel in WA. He was also sick from the moment we picked him up. We were told it was likely stress from the trip, then worms, then giardia, etc. etc. After treating all of these unsuccessfully and months of effort, three vets, and endoscopy, he was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease. We have finally been able to pretty well control this with various meds and a very strict prescription diet. We now believe both the breeder and the kennel knew he was sick and that's why he was sold to us. Though he is KKl1, we can not in good conscience breed him because of the genetic component of IBD, and we have been told that neutering him may kick up the IBD again. We are left with a very expensive companion for us and our female, however also a beautiful, great-tempered boy whom will love and take care for the rest of what we hope is a long life. The point to all this is my curiosity about any other of Larus' progeny who may exhibit this same illness. This board obvious has a great knowledge base, and I hope to learn if this is known to others. It's too late for us to be compensated, since we have been told we would have had to have endoscopy results from Germany before he was sold to us. Fat chance of that. I would be interested in any information. Thanks.

This is somewhat of an issue when buying adult dogs and most times there are reasons why they are put on the market and then sold. I am sure the previous owners knew he was sick also. I have not read any posts on here regarding health faults from Larus progeny, but that does not mean there arent any out there. I try to stay on the safe side buying pups from reliable breeders I have done business with before.Adult Dogs with faults temperament or health are quickly unloaded by their owners and that being the sole reason they are parting with them. I am sorry for your mis-fortune.

If I were buying anything other than a very young puppy, I'd have to insist on seeing the veterinary records for that dog before I'd part with a single penny...if the owners aren't willing to be open about the animal's veterinary history, then there's no question in my mind that there's something being hidden that will negatively affect the sale. This is especially true if one is buying what they hope will be a dog they hope to use for breeding, but I'd want to know that information even if I were buying a dog for a companion--it's better for the DOG if the buyer knows up front that it has special needs as far as feeding, medication, living conditions, etc. are concerned. To keep that sort of info under cover means the poor animal will have to endure some degree of decline in health until the new owner and their vet figure out what the dog's problem is and can start to address it.

Why don't people vet check a dog before they buy it? It sounds like a simple concept. It's done all the time for horses.

I have a four year old Larus son and I have had no problems with IBD or anything else. He is a very picky eater but otherwise healthy. Gret multi-pupose dog... Very strong defensive drive, mild mannered and great family companion especially with our children

Dog1 et al. I guess I wish I had bought horses previously... Seriously, we received paperwork from both the breeder's German vet and the kennel's American one attesting to the dog's health. We attempted, unsuccessfully, to contact the breeder in Germany by email as well. Since the kennel had custody of him for a month, we "assumed" they would not sell an ill dog. Unfortunately, we have subsequently learned from several sources that this kennel's guarantee of either health or temperment is not worth very much. Shame on us. We have to believe there is some yin and yang in the situation, and he was sent to people who would attempt to get him well. In the three months it took to find a vet to successfully diagnose and treat him, he lost almost 30 lbs and had explosive diarrhea every few hours. Our vet said we had run out of options, and we feared we would have no choice but to put him down. We were so bonded with him by then that it would have been a terrible choice. I have blocked out most of the 2005-2006 holiday season... Doomsayer. Great for you. Our Larus son is also very protective and a real sweetheart. He would like to be a picky eater, but since he can only eat one thing he doesn't have much choice. Perhaps hearing about our experience will cause others to be more cautious and dilligent than they would have otherwise. Buyer really beware...

Very sorry about your dog, DoubleX. Take comfort in knowing that you aren't the first to be scammed in a GSD deal and certainly won't be the last. I don't know what more you could have done to insure he was a healthy dog prior to the purchase. I suspect someone will jump in this thread and tell you about all the things YOU did wrong, but it won't be me. Kudos to you for keeping him regardless of his health situation. Some would have tried to pass him off to another innocent buyer. Good luck, I hope he lives a long and happy life. I do know he's where he is loved and that's what matters the most IMO.

As Blitzen says really, sorry to hear your story DoubleX. I have a 12 week old Grandson of Larus von Batu and I am assuming you don't have his Father!!

Double X, Sorry to hear of your situation. I have Larus' sister, a son, and a daughter. I'm very please with their health and have had no issues with them. They are low maintenance animals.

Blitzen. Thanks for the kind words. He has been worth the struggle, although I certainly wouldn't want to repeat it. He seems to be thriving on his current regime, and one would never guess what he has been through by looking at him. I will never feel completely at ease though, and I watch him like a hawk for signs that things are going down hill. Dog1. Unfortunately, I doubt he will ever be low maintenance. Currently, he takes two different drugs daily, and I also make up antibiotic gel caps myself and give him a B12 shot every two weeks. Not exactly what I had in mind when we bought him. A pox on both his breeder and the importing kennel for launching him with no thought as to the result. As far as I know, he is still a "virgin", and we would never breed him. I wouldn't wish this on another puppy or its owner.