Heart Disease at only 7yrs old - Page 2

yes, i am the same way , i would never hide any health problem from my buyers, but i am pretty good about only breeding lines that are not producing problems, but if i had a dog like  your zamp daughter i would do the same as you and retire her. i also dont sell off my dogs they live out there life here in my house. i to wish there were alot more honest breeders, i really dont  know of many.
what i can say that i have heard of was that zamp died of cancer at 8 years old.

what i would really like is more test to check for gentic problems , but as far i know there really is not alot out there yet, but when there is i will test.

What type of heart disease does your dog have?  i ask as diluted cardiomyopathy is believed to have some hereditory basis and can run in bloodlines.  i lost my girl (not zamp lines) at 9 to Full blown heart failure, brought on by it.

Everyone knows that heart problems run in some of the Doberman lines.  Good breaders stay away from these lines and have checks done to ensure that their breeding prospects are clear. 

Very sad for you, I'm sorry.

http://www.2ndchance.info/dogdilcardiomyopathy.htm 

--- >  i am the same way , i would never hide any health problem from my buyers 

Good to know. As the Founder of the DM Support Group, I always have people asking me where they can find a reliable, trustworthy breeder. Sadly, the trustworty breeders I used to know quit breeding because they were sick of being lied to by other breeders. Its good to see there are still some dedicated breeders who CARE, and not just about money and winning. I always wonder WHY health doesnt come first, because without health, one has NOTHING!Good health should be the first thing mentioned in the standard, IMHO.. It should not be taken for granted.

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate  

How very heartbreaking for you! I know how you feel, I had to tell my puppy people about Kali's cancer, I have been keeping in touch with them, but I could only contact 3 of the 5, 2 did not return my call. The 3 I contacted were sympathetic, & although worried about their pups, now grown up dogs, they understand that there are not tests for everything. And, as some diseases do not manifest themselves until dogs are older, & possibly have already produced progeny, there are going to be some issues that we can not anticipate. No one had any complaints, they offered me their warmest sympathies...they love their pups the way we love our Kali, still, even tho' she's not with us anymore.
And losing our darling Kali just crushed me. It's still hard to breathe when I think about it. She should still be here, laying next to my bed. I miss her so-o-o-o much.
Enjoy every minute with your girl. God bless you, jackie harris

PS- I wanted to breed GSDs as well, but I don't think I have the heart for it, I am so devastated by my girl's loss, I just could not bear to produce pups with problems, & I see no way to avoid it entirely.

There is no way to avoid breeding pups with any kind of problem- everything that lives, will eventually get sick and die. Its what one does with the knowledge, however, that is so important. If breeders are open about the problems they encounter, it will make it that much easier to avoid doubling up on the problem, thus leading to a healthier breed. Its all about choices and doing the right thing. Nothing that lives, lives forever. However, hiding problems makes that life shorter and being open about problems makes the chances better for a longer, healthier life.

Marjorie
http://www.gsdbbr.org The German Shepherd Dog Breed Betterment Registry (a health registry for registered German Shepherds)
BE PROACTIVE!
http://mzjf.com --> The Degenerative Myelopathy Support Group http://www.mzjf.info/hgate Heaven's Gate  

I agree Marjorie, & I aplaud those brave & honest breeders who will eventually save our breed. I am one of those who could never cull a pup, who trust folks to abide by a limited registration, & so I do not think I am qualified to make those very well educated & tough decisions to breed or not breed. I will leave it to those more qualified than I. I just love them, flawed or not. jackie harris

 First of all, thank you for all of your support. This has been so difficult on us.  I look at our girl many times through-out the day and as she lays by me on my side of the bed. You wonder how a person could love a creature so much.  Honestly I do believe I love my dogs more than most people. They dont lie, steal or treat you dissrespectful.  You can bet I will not give up on breeding. As a matter of fact at this very moment I have one of the most beautiful Shepherds whelping her first litter.  I know who we are as breeders and I also know we have had every test done per our vet that was neccasary on all of our females to assure us they were completely healthy. This was not only a blow to us, but our vet as well.  We do everything we can to have very healthy pups for families. To this day I still keep in contact with all of our buyers and recieve pics and letters.  I had to contact our buyers from our girl and tell them. It was so scary because not once have we ever had to do that. I assured them that if any thing were to happen in the future we would stand behind them and their dog. They were oviously nervous and panicked but I think they appreciated me being honest with them more than just not saying anything. A few of them decided to go the extra step of getting their dogs hearts ultrasound to rule the heart disease out. The worst issue we have ever had was a one testical puppy that eventually dropped. SO this for us is a big time blow!!! 


Majorie, I am so sorry to hear about your CJ.   If I would have been the breeder, I would have personally paid for the testing. ALthough I wouldnt of lied either or better yet bred the poor dog.
  A breeder should stand behing what they produce period!!!  I totally believe that everything dies but when a person puts their trust in a breeder, it's sad if a breeder has to lie to sell puppies. That to me is a puppy mill.  I have talked with many people on the phone about what to watch for in a breeder even when I have no puppies  to sell.  If breeding is done the way it's supposed to be, it certainly is not a money making business. I'm sure every honest breeder will agree with that!!! It's so sad that there are so many people that call themselves breeders and really dont give a sh@@ about the families that they are sending sick puppies home to.  I also have no breeding rights whatsoever. If that's what a person wants, it wont be from me. There are to many people that just dont understand what goes into breeding 

Trixx, thanks for the info on Zamp, I have heard either cancer or heart disease. I wasnt sure but thank you so much for telling me :) 

Kalibeck, so sorry for  Kali, I know when we lose our girl, it is going to crush me also.  SHe has been such a wonderful additon to our family. My kids love her so much and when she passes they too will be heartbroken. She will have a great life until her end.  SHe is on the best medicine out there and is spoiled rotten. 

Hello Ambii, I am sorry for your loss also.   I will cetainly let you know what kind of heart disease it is soon. I believe it's called DCM, though im not sure what it stands for. Im sitting here typing and keeping my other girl company as she  is in labor. It will be a very longgg night. I dont leave their side until the end. Watch for another update so I can let you know the exact name of her disease.




Thank all of you again for your kind words!!!

My Last GSD Duke developed Congestive Heart disease when he was 6.

Took him to a vet cardiologist. Like you, my first notice was a swollen abdomen.

First visit she drained 7 liters of fluid. With medcine (4 times a day!) and cavity drains (about twice a year) Duke lived another 3, happy years. The cardio's first guess was 3 to 6 months. She ended up calling Duke her miracle dog after about 1 year on the meds.

I had the means to pay for all that (about $200 a month). It was expensive, but I'd do it all over again as long as I could afford it.

Zep--