pre-purchase exams? - Page 1

I am a newbie here, but have been involved in the horse world for many years, buying, selling and showing. When we buy horses of value we always have our own vet perform a prepurchase exam, including X-rays.  It doesn't seem that is done with dogs, however.  It would seem like a reasonable thing to do considering the prices of some of the adult dogs being advertised.  Would  breeders be amenable to having a prepurchase exam with x-rays done at the buyers expense prior to a sale? 

If you're talking a dog 6 months or older, the dog should first have hips and elbows xrayed before it is even offered for sale. If the breeder doesn't do that, then I'd look for another breeder.

When we purchased Gunner our breeder told us to take him home for a few days and see how he fit in and if it was going to work out with him.  During that time we took him to our vet and had him do xrays.  He checked out just fine.  I know it's not possible for all breeders to do this with their pups because of shipping etc. and also trusting your buyer that he's not going to just run off with the pup.  We were very fortunate and it would be great if more breeders could do this.  Sometimes buyers don't want the additional expense of a vet visit with xrays BEFORE they even purchase the pup but I think it's a good idea.  You don't buy a car unless you test drive it first.

Some breeders will have in their contract that the puppy should be taken to a veterinarian within "x" amount of days for physical examination and if anything does not meet their expectations, the puppy can be returned at that time for full refund or replacement.  X rays on an 8 wk old puppy wouldn't tell you much in my opinion.

Its not that it cannot or will not be done - the buyers usually do not want to pay for it unless the dog is so valuable that they feel it justified. Few people will spend an extra $600 of 700 bucks on a dog under 10k. Its no problem to get it done.
In general, if a dog has to be shipped by air it needs a health certificate from the vet. But that is just a cursory exam that checks for obvious infections, general health status, nothing more indepth. 
We offer pre-purchase exams in Germany, the same that the police will have done (at their cost) and they are very thorough but also costly. Checks heart/lungs (ultrasound), back, hips and elbows (xrays), extensive bloodwork. 
Sometimes people purchasing a male for breeding want a sperm test done, which inconclusive at best. Sperm production fluctuates, and if there is no bitch in heat present during collection the sperm count can be affected. High sperm count also does not automatically guarantee fertility. 
Dogs over 6 months are usually x-rayed, or at least should be, if someone wants to, even sooner (elbows will not be fully fused til 6 months though, so ED prescreens brefore 6 months are inconclusive). Prescreens should always have the dogs particulars right in the xray (name, tattoo, date, vet info).
With pups there is only so much you can test. A regular health cert will usually do, plus a vet check after arrival.
Basically whatever you want and will pay for is what can be done. Quite a few dogs do get screened actually.

 A lot of times when purchasing a dog of value...I will request a new hip/elbow x-ray, even though it might have already been done awhile ago...I agree with the seller that we will have the dog re-x-rayed and if the x-rays come back good...then I will not only buy the dog but I will also pay for the new x-rays...If the new x-rays come back as having a problem...then I won't buy the dog...and they will pay for the new x-ray...

This seems to agree with most sellers and keeps everything on the up and up...and everyone honest...

If a buyer wants a puppy or dog vetted before purchase, I have no problem with it, so long as they don't expect me to pay for it. 

I'm buying a dog right now who is undergoing a lot of tests at my expense, xrays of back, hips, elbows, thyroid, brucelosis test.  If the seller had not let me do the tests, I would not have purchased the dog, but  the seller is very cooperative and amicable about the testing.  So easy to deal with!  If you've purchased more than a few adult dogs, you do appreciate it very much when people are easy to deal with.

Veronica

Good Luck in your tests, Ms Veronica....hope all tests come back as you expect.......then when will you get your new one?

I think any pup 1 year and up ought to have pre purchase exams like the poster O MAn stated: that is a good way to agree on ...if the seller has any inkling his dog wont pass, he would not agree to do it that way.  Most reputable breeders or seller would want to rest free that their animal is good upon the selling of it...Would stop a lot of the sitebashing on all the forums , as most things would be found ahead of the purchase...

Pups are excluded, other than the normal heart murmur, disease , worm and hernia, and any known puppy related problems...I always take pups the week I put them out to public,,to vet,,,,,that way any accusations can be handled at the time of purchase..After pups leave premises,   that is the buyers responsible to keep pup healthy.....

Genetic diseases dont show up until later....and there are a lot of testings that can be done everyyear as research uncovers new updated material..to determine carriers of certain german shepherd know hereditary problems..

Both buyer and seller have to spend a little money to insure these positives but it is worth it in the end.......

Hey Luvmidog, we hope to have the dog within a month, we want to go get him in person.  We are very excited, he's a great dog.

Veronica

Was it my pick or your Pick?????????????????????????????????????????lol