Reply #109: Pet Stores [View All]

[Polly Hennessey]

Murphy, one of my Golden Retrievers, came from a pet store. The first problem we encountered was Juvenile Cellulitis (commonly called Puppy Strangle). I noticed some lumps in his throat a week or so after we brought him home. Seems Puppy Strangle is a disease of the immune system and is genetic. The lympth nodes become enlarged (if not caught in time the nodes become so large they strangle the puppy) and sores cluster around the eyes. He still has a few scars under his eyes. He was treated and survived. I was told I could not take him out in public or even to the vet's office for several weeks as he would not be able to fight off infection. Well, we defeated that one then when he was about seven months old, I noticed that when he ran his back legs did not look right. It appeared as though his legs were hopping like a rabbit. Back to the vet. After some x-rays and consultation with a canine orthopedic specialist he was diagnosed with severe hip dysplasia. As he was so young it was hoped that they could do a TPO (Triple Pelvic Osteotomy). No such luck -- the ball socket was too damaged. He will have to be on Cosequin for the rest of his life and I was told not to over-exercise him. It is possible that he will have to have a total hip replacement someday. So far, we have been lucky and he is doing OK. I am going to take him in for x-rays next month. He will turn five on Dec 21. He came from a so-called breeder in Missouri and has an impressive pedigree (which I now question). I have come to learn that Missouri is the leading state for puppy mills. Both of his problems are legacy diseases (genetic). Under no circumstance would we have ever been able to breed Murphy. The best part of the story though is that Murphy is my friend for life and although I would never recommend anyone buying from a pet store, if I had not walked out of that store with Murphy I would have missed out on the love of my life.

Our other Golden, Devon, we bought from a reputable breeder and she is just fine. We have never had any health problems with her. She will be five in April.