Aortic Stenosis Diagnosis - Remedy for Health Guarantee? - Page 1

My 8 month old puppy was just diagnosed by echocardiogram as having aortic stenosis. I'm a purchaser, not a breeder. My puppy had a III heart murmur at 8 weeks old, continued to be a III until around 4 months, vet thought it was a II then, at six months again at a III so it was recommended we take puppy to the only certified echocardiogram vet in our area. We did that this a.m. and just got the diagnosis.

My question is: since I have a "health" guarantee in my contract, what does that usually mean? refund? new dog? Obviously, we're really attached to our puppy and don't want to give him back. I'm really not even interested in another puppy from this breeder due to all of the problems we've already had. I'm just wondering what would be a reasonable request to make good on the health guarantee? (and I'm looking for the answer from breeders) FYI - The breeder has been kept in the loop from day 1 on the health problems and I email vet records every time there is a check-up showing problems. - however, the response I have received so far is...Your vet doesn't know what they are doing...I've never had a dog with any health problem...and most recently no response at all.

For a layman to say that the veterinarian doesnt know what they are doing sounds like a problem to me.

*sigh*
1/2 money back or replacement dog.  What does your sales contract say?  What does the breeder have to do if the dog is not healthy?

It all depends on what the contract says. As aortic stenosis is inheritable, this wipes your pup out as far as breeding goes, and with that sever a heart murmur, he certainly isn't going to be able to compete in sports, other than obedience! Even that might be too stressful for him on a hot day.

What does the vet think his prognosis is for the stenosis? Could it be fatal?

Contract doesn't state what happens - that's why I'm asking what is reasonable to request.

Vet says inoperable, medication likely in the near future or my dog will just drop dead (in so many words...)

Since birth my dog has not been very energentic - he would climb in my lap and sleep, he still tries to now although we have to lay on the floor since he's so big :-) Won't play fetch, doesn't like to run, he would rather lie at my feet. My guess is he knows his own limits. I am training with him currently, he does seem to tire easily, purely a "lap dog".

I could never give him up for a "replacement" so I will suggest a partial refund and let him be my lap dog for as long as he is able!

I'm very sorry about your dogs health. As far as the the pup's breeder it depends on how the contract is written, but really you should get your $ back. There are lemon laws pertaining to the purchase of dogs & since your puppy always had a bad heart murmur then developing into a serious heart defect it would fall under the protection of the lemon laws.

I had a Great Dane that also develop aortic stenosis  while young. They told me it was doubtful she'll live until 4 years old. She too was very low key & not a normal active puppy. But I kept her active without over doing it, kept her lean, & feed a high quality diet. She lived to be 11 years old. Which is a long time for even a health Great Dane. But she did have side effects from the aortic stenosis. She develop odd behaviors from the results of mini strokes. I hope you get to enjoy your puppy for as long as well.

A pup with a heart murmur should not have been sold to you at all without the breeder having had done the research (echocardiogram) to fully understand what (s)he was putting out into the world.  I think your vet should have recommended an echocardiogram long before now.  A pup that doesn't outgrow a heart murmur by age 12 weeks needs a full cardiac work up...even if the pup outgrew it, I would still have had the echo before selling/placing the pup (as a breeder).

With regard to a health guarantee?  This all depends on what is written.  The fact the breeder has stopped communications with you indicates you are on your own with this.  Sorry. 

Hope your pup has a healthy long lived life regardless of his origin.  If your vet says it's safe, get him neutered.

Contract doesn't state what happens - - - OOPS......

Does the breeder live in a "lemon puppy law"?

If this breeder has a litter from dogs that are not relatives? This could be the only option for you.

No, I don't live in a puppy lemon law state, but I have no problem going to small claims court.

I am NOT going to accept another puppy from this breeder, nor will I ever recommend him to another person. I have learned way too much about him and he was dishonest (more than just selling a puppy with a heart defect) over and over. I have no faith that I would get a puppy that didn't have some kind of problem. This was a dog he actually tried to get me to BREED - even after knowing of the III murmur (because it's not really that big of deal...)

My vet DID recommend the echocardiogram earlier - at about 4 months, when the murmur didn't go away with growth. I got him fixed right away (at 6 months) and was really waiting to afford the testing.

He was so good at the "new" vet (who is certified to perform echo's) that he just let them shave and test him without any sedation, so it turned out to cost less anyhow. The one reading (pressure reading?) is 242mmHg. They say 6 - 18 months is the best guess for how long he will live. Put him on the beta-blocker.

Also, he didn't have a vet check done prior to me purchasing, so the breeder didn't know about the murmur until I called him after I took him to the vet.

He sells as "house-broken", crate-trained, etc. None of them are... it's a puppy mill...

I'm now in contact with some prior purchasers in the same sort of situations, it's becoming interesting...