Forager
10-29-2005, 12:53 AM
Initially,I posted this in the Introduction forum. I was told to post it in the Health forum:
Hello, everyone. Six weeks ago, my wife and I brought Dimity, an 8-week old Doberman female, into into our home: She is sweet, and we love her.
When we purchased her, however, we did not know what we were doing, and transacted business with a less-than-ethical breeder: no papers, no certifications. On the strength of her having the pup's mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather on the premises, we assumed she was a legitimate, ethical breeder. She seemed to know a lot about the breed, professing to be a defender of its interests. In short, we bought her line.
Two days after the purchase, a veterinarian examined the puppy: lab tests revealed Coccidia, a urinary tract infection, and a bacterial imbalance in her intestinal tract--all of which have been resolved through treatment.
Because of another physical issue, I've tried to get information on the health history of the pup's lineage, but the breeder will not return my calls. I've left numerous messages, asking her to do so. As the kennel is quite a distance away, I've given up trying to contact her. In fact, I don't want to think about her.
We are concerned about one lingering physical issue. The vet noted on the first visit--the first of four visits so far--an intermittent limping of Dimity's left rear leg. The limp concerned the vet, given Dimity's age (8 1/2 weeks). Over the last few weeks, the vet treated Dimity for an inflammation, hoping the limp was the result of a soft tissue injury, and also treated her for pain, prophylactically. Owing to no improvement over four weeks time on medication, Dimity's hips and knees were X-Rayed--but no abnormalities were detected. The plan, for the moment, is restricted activity only, no running, etc., to see if the condition self-resolves in 6-8 weeks. If not, we are to appoint with an orthopedic veterinarian.
In addition to the intermittent limp, she will occasionally hop (left side only). She will often raise her left leg when pooping (75% of the time), and raise it when feeding (25-50%) of the time. Walking on uneven ground will sometimes cause her to lift her left leg. When standing with all four paws squarely on the ground, her left rear paw is usually well forward of the right rear paw.
When any of this happens, there is no discernible sign of pain: no whimpering, no change of expression--just the tell-tale raising of the left leg. Even when the vet palpates the affected leg, Dimity does not seem to be in pain.
For weight management, we are feeding her a low-protein puppy food--Solid Gold Wolf Cub. She is lean, happy, and in otherwise good health.
Has anyone on the forum experienced anything similar with a pup of this age? Any comments at all would be appreciated. We are g-g-goofy over this dog--but concerned for her well-being.
Regards,
Steve (Forager)
Hello, everyone. Six weeks ago, my wife and I brought Dimity, an 8-week old Doberman female, into into our home: She is sweet, and we love her.
When we purchased her, however, we did not know what we were doing, and transacted business with a less-than-ethical breeder: no papers, no certifications. On the strength of her having the pup's mother, father, grandmother, and grandfather on the premises, we assumed she was a legitimate, ethical breeder. She seemed to know a lot about the breed, professing to be a defender of its interests. In short, we bought her line.
Two days after the purchase, a veterinarian examined the puppy: lab tests revealed Coccidia, a urinary tract infection, and a bacterial imbalance in her intestinal tract--all of which have been resolved through treatment.
Because of another physical issue, I've tried to get information on the health history of the pup's lineage, but the breeder will not return my calls. I've left numerous messages, asking her to do so. As the kennel is quite a distance away, I've given up trying to contact her. In fact, I don't want to think about her.
We are concerned about one lingering physical issue. The vet noted on the first visit--the first of four visits so far--an intermittent limping of Dimity's left rear leg. The limp concerned the vet, given Dimity's age (8 1/2 weeks). Over the last few weeks, the vet treated Dimity for an inflammation, hoping the limp was the result of a soft tissue injury, and also treated her for pain, prophylactically. Owing to no improvement over four weeks time on medication, Dimity's hips and knees were X-Rayed--but no abnormalities were detected. The plan, for the moment, is restricted activity only, no running, etc., to see if the condition self-resolves in 6-8 weeks. If not, we are to appoint with an orthopedic veterinarian.
In addition to the intermittent limp, she will occasionally hop (left side only). She will often raise her left leg when pooping (75% of the time), and raise it when feeding (25-50%) of the time. Walking on uneven ground will sometimes cause her to lift her left leg. When standing with all four paws squarely on the ground, her left rear paw is usually well forward of the right rear paw.
When any of this happens, there is no discernible sign of pain: no whimpering, no change of expression--just the tell-tale raising of the left leg. Even when the vet palpates the affected leg, Dimity does not seem to be in pain.
For weight management, we are feeding her a low-protein puppy food--Solid Gold Wolf Cub. She is lean, happy, and in otherwise good health.
Has anyone on the forum experienced anything similar with a pup of this age? Any comments at all would be appreciated. We are g-g-goofy over this dog--but concerned for her well-being.
Regards,
Steve (Forager)