Is this a responsible breeder? Out of options. - Page 2

Thanks for the help everyone.

I'm not expecting the breeder to pay for her. At all. I realize that's not their responsibility. But I DO think they should exhaust their efforts in finding someone who would want her. 

She eats raw. Chicken backs with the supplements necessary for the plant matter and other nutrients she's missing from the chicken alone. However, we've narrowed it down to ENVIRONMENTAL allergies (one of them being grass pollen), so as the allergist said, food doesn't play a matter in this (as long as it remains high quality). The allergy hunt began a long time ago, and we know what it is, and have even done a round of treatments in curbing them with no avail.

Yes, I'm in school but finances are generally never a huge deal for me. Maybe I should have specified (I didn't think it would be an issue, but of course people feel the need to bring it up) but I'm in grad school and also have a great career. However, when it comes to spending thousands and thousands of dollars on treatments and vet visits that may not work at all -- on top of the roughly 5 thousand I've already spent -- it's not an idea I think I can devote to.

I've looked into rescues and teaching hospitals (that's where she goes normally), and nothing seems to be a viable option. I'll keep looking. 
 

So you can afford the medical care, you just don't want to pay for it any more.

It's a little disheartening that people on here really just love to persecute people for every idea they don't agree with. 

Finances are never a huge deal for me, as in, I can afford my rent and everything I need to live in the city. As in, I'm never worried about how I'll pay my next tuition bill. That doesn't mean I have a disposable income of a few thousand dollars to spend on vet bills. If I had such a disposable income, spending that money would be no question.

So I'm either on one end of the spectrum an irresponsible broke college student, or on the other end a very well off person with a great career? Love how this judgement works. 

If from my post above, your only response is, "So you can afford the medical care, you just don't want to pay for it any more.", I truly hope you don't respond to this thread any longer. Thanks.
 
 

If the dog is miserable no matter what is done to help her, euthanasia *can* be the best option. The breeder is going off of what you have told them right now. Will this breeder do any evaluation or will it be a trip straight to euthanasia?

If it were one of my puppies, I'd take the puppy back, do some medical assessments, ask a vet to review what has been done so far, and see if the change of environment and diet makes a difference to the dog's health. After a bit of investigation, I'd evaluate what the options are for the dog's future--can she live a comfortable life with medication? Does this medication affect the dog's quality of life? What is the chance of this dog having a happy, fulfilled life?  And euthanasia would be an option that would be on the table. Quite frankly, once you give up the dog, you no longer have a say in what is correct medical treatment.

I have been through some terrible allergy issues with my Jack Russell Terrier who is now almost 8. The canine dermatologist said that on a scale of 1-10, he's an 11 or 12 as far as itchiness. He's been tested for dietary and environmental allergy reactions and been treated with antihistimines, steroids, and even allergy shots. Up until recently, just about the only thing that kept him comfortable was a regular low dose of prednisone. At the moment, an every-other-day cocktail of Atopica (cyclosporine), 5mg of ketoconazale, and a very low dose of an antihistimine-prednisone combo (Temeril-P) is keeping him comfortable and healthy. At a certain point, if he is unable to stay comfortable on anything else, he will end up on prednisone regularly, which will slowly kill him. The option is for him to live in incredible misery. It's quite possible that I may one day decide that euthanasia is the best option for him--but we're not there yet.

Christine

Worst case of allergies I know of was my friend's GSD (lived to be 14 I believe) who was always back and forth to the UofM vet school.  She was on some drug like atopica I think it's called.  Have you tried that?  This dog went from being half hairless and covered in weeping sores to fairly under control.  The dog was allergic to everything (dust, grass, you name it), had to eat ostrich meat and sweet potatoes.

I also agree with Christine that euthanasia may be a kinder option depending on the severity, or I should say the dog's quality of life (because what is "severe" to one person might not be to another, but it's the dogs happiness that really matters).  If you are able to care for her but no longer want to, who else will?  Unfortunately there are so many GSDs in this country that are available it's unlikely anyone more caring and more well off than yourself will be willing to assume the care of the dog.

Minro,

I can sympathize with your position.  I think a good breeder should take the dog back.  I learned the hard way that there are a lot of really crappy breeders out there.

I have also seen written contracts where a breeder states, "This dog may be returned to the breeder at any point in its life". I admire those breeders that are willing to take the dogs they brought into the world back and try to rehome them if life's circumstances demand it. It is their responsibility...especially for health reasons.

Also, it sounds like you ahve done everything you can. You have spent thousands on treatments for this dog.

I am discovering that severe allergies are becoming way too common and there IS a genetic link. Now, breeders will poo-poo this and turn a blind eye but it is a fact. However, I doubt they will add severe allergies or severe gastric/bloat issues to their warranty but they should.....

So, if the breeder doesn't want to do the right thing and take the dog back for ethical reasons than they should do it for health reasons.

I am not shocked people attacked you. People can be really mean.

I would feel awful if I bought a dog that had severe allergies or severe gastric issues knowing there is a gentic link. I also could not pour thousands into the dog. That is what a breeder health warranty is for....in my eyes.  In fact, my husband's collegue bought a puppy that had to be put down at 6 months old. Found out that he had some weird digestion thing and he couldn't get nutrients from food and eventually stopped eating. They spent thousands on dog and more thousands on medical bills only to have to put him down. There was zero compensation from breeder as only hips and elbows were on warranty and not severe gastric issues. Not cool. 

I agree with you 100%. Just wanted you to know.  I don't see anyone that wrote a mean message to you stepping up offering to take the dog and spend thousands out of their own pocket.

Hopefully, you will be able to find her a home. It hurts me to say this..but the poster who said maybe you should put her to sleep might be right. It's a quality of life issue and who will take her knwoing they might need to spend more thousands? Poor girl. You must be heartbroken.

That breeder should be extremely aware of this dog's condition and I am curious if other dogs from this breeding also developed severe allergies. I would not be surprised.  Plus, it would be too coincidental to not have a genetic link.  Good luck and I am sorry you and your dog are going through this... 

Well, I'm going to and those who are familiar with me will tell you that I rarely mince words so you're going to get my opinion, like it or not.  You have a dog that has environmental allergies, one of which is grass pollen, which is truly unfortunate but you live in a high-rise in Chicago so avoiding grass, if you were so inclined, is not impossible.  You would have to change your routine somewhat and certainly stop taking her to the PSA club and whatnot but you could lessen the impact of the allergies by simply not exposing her.  Doing so could potentially lower the cost of treatment as well.

I fully understand not being necessarily broke but not really having the money for expensive treatments and/or emergency surgery for an injury.  I've had two dogs that required treatment with cyclosporin for perianal fistulas and another that shattered his leg pretty well going over a fence and had to go to Purdue for a very expensive surgery.  It wasn't always easy or convenient but I have always been able to come up with the money; I understand that that is simply not possible for everyone and people sometimes have to make hard choices.

It's difficult for me to take any financial hardship on your part seriously, however, when you are apparently getting ready to buy yet another dog.  I think that you are simply tired of dealing with this issue and again, I don't know that I can blame you.  I'm not sure what I would do if I had a dog that was allergic to grass but think I would seriously be inclined to question any such dog's quality of life and would consider putting the dog down.

You are unlikely to find another home for your dog.  You raised her and love her more than anyone and if her allergies have become too much for you to deal with, no one else will probably want to either.  I know that it's harsh but that's the reality of it.  There are lots of dogs out there; most don't come with an expensive, recurring price tag.  If she's that bad off that it is seriously negatively impacting her quality of life, you need to do what's best for her.

Truthfully, Minro, I don't think you're worth the time of day.  I feel so sorry for your girl.  I thought you were bad enough wanting to get rid of her after two years of ownership. You're already looking to replace her flipping back and forth between A and B litters?????

Whether or not she has allergies or, God forbid, lymphoma someone worth his salt would take care of business for his dog.  I doubt you understand that concept. Only uncaring immaturity could possibly make you think that some here might not find you somewhat lacking.

On another note......Will someone here please explain to me how you can add a sentence to your post (as done just now by Minro----"So I'm either on one end of the spectrum.."), and the words 'edited' don't appear on that post?

 

Just two things Keith.

How exactly do you expect me to avoid grass? Take her outside to go to the bathroom on concrete? This isn't a smartass question, but one with real intentions. I may live in the city, but with a dog who will only go to the bathroom on grassy lawns, I'm not sure how that works.

Second, my posts regarding what puppy to get from what litter, while valid in the past, are no longer happening. As of yesterday, after another serious talk with our allergist (I had initially planned on putting my female on steroids long term), I have forfeited my 300 dollar deposit to see if it will help in scrounging up some money for any further treatments. Today is when the real numbers flew at me and have me questioning just how possible any of it would be. 
 
 

Looks like a couple of people posted responses similar to mine while I was typing it...

Let's quit making this about the breeder, already.  Even if we acknowledge the possibility of a genetic link to allergies, how could any breeder possibly anticipate when and how and in which dogs they would manifest themselves?  The breeder in this case has done everything possible to try to make this situation right.