Luxating patella - Page 1

I have just had a phone call from a puppy buyer, who picked up her puppy 5 days ago, he was 12 weeks old.

Puppy buyer had her puppy checked this am (she did tell me that she had an appointment to have him checked as I had suggested to her)  and she rung me to say that her vet has told her he has a luxating patella. Has anyone else ever had a vet say this for a GSD at this age???

I for one have never heard of a GSD with this problem (not that I am saying it doesn't happen) and I am also concerned that the vet may have been a little over enthusiastic during his assessment of this puppy.

I know that I would have noticed if he had not been capable of keeping up with his litter mates, he was very keen to run and jump with the rest of them with no sign of lameness ever.

Need some advice here PLEASE !!!

I have already offered to return their money if there really is a problem.

Well, it's certainly *possible* for that condition to have been discovered, but it is unusual in this breed. More typical of the toy breeds.  I think that before I refunded any money, I'd want a second opinion from an orthopedist--and if you're going to refund their money, I do hope you'll be getting the pup back...

does this puppy walk funny?
http://www.famouschihuahua.com/chihuahua-health-concerns/patellar-luxation-a-knee-problem-in-chihuahuas/ 

Hi SitasMom, he most definately didn't walk like that >>>> I for one would NEVER sell a puppy if I thought that it had a problem.

He was just as active as the rest and yes if there was to be a refund I will be getting the puppy back.

As a vetenary nurse for more years than I care to count I have seen a great many dogs that did walk like that but NEVER a GSD.


edited to add comment.

the vet is most likely not familiar with german shepherds and assumes thre are issues becasue of there kind of odd conformaiton

try going to another vet, maybe one the specializes in GSDs

The person who bought my puppy lives in a fairly remote area and really trusts her long time vet and would live atleast 5 or 6 hours away from any vet that I would actually feel comfortable enough to refer her to go.

After speaking to the owner I rung her vet and asked him about the diagnosis on the puppy and if the puppy could possibly injured himself and he said yes it was a possibility and the owner had said to him that he may of BANGED himself during one of his Zooming episodes with her JR terrier as she had noticed that he walked a bit funny the previous day but was walking normally now.

Its so easy to blame a breeder, when so often its animal husbandry that's the real issue.

Hope all turns out well for the pup.