brandybunch

Dear fellow Basset owners,

I would like to ask your advice regarding my new puppy. We've picked up Bobby last week and from the first moment onwards we fell deeply in love with him.

After the first intensive week we decided to get his first vet checkup and second vaccination done. The vet we have seen told us after a brief encounter with bob that he thinks he has very unstable knees which are according to him the cause of bad breeding? He determined this by feeling bobs joints and requesting him to walk a little; didnt even wait for bob to get up from his puppy sit position (Straight back, flat stretched out legs).

His advice was to give bobby back to his breeder (so that he can eventually put him out of his 'misery'). He said surgery might be possible but will be expensive and not guaranteed to cure anything.

Me and the misses are very fond of Bobby and have no problems saving up some $ to have knee surgery on Bobby when he is for example a year old. In our opinion Bobby walks good and pain free at the moment. We however would not want him to have tremendous amounts of pain and be completely handicapped when hes older.

To our feelings this vet is wildly exaggerating and was very quick with making a bad judgement. We will probably get a second opinion on Bob next week. We also knew from the beginning that Bassets are prone to leg problems and that he would be needing a surgery at some point in his life anyways.

My question to you guys is do you have any advice on how to make a decision on this? Ill also post a video of Bobby walking, perhaps you guys can tell me if this really is a bad walk or that it is exaggerated?

Thanks in advance,
Sjoerd

brandybunch

Heres a link to a video of Bobby running and walking. The idea of giving him away\putting him to sleep seems absolutely ridiculous.

Soundtrack

I can't see the video on my Blackberry, I'll try to view it later.

First of all, vets often have NO IDEA what basset puppy joints are like. I would definitely be getting a second opinion either from a vet that is very familiar with the breed or at least an orthopedic specialist that understands dwarf and giant breeds.

Secondly, while knee problems do happen in bassets, it would have to be pretty serious to impact their quality of life, since most of their weight is in the front end (which is one reason why serious breeders put so much emphasis on a sound front end assembly).

Also, talk to the breeder. A good one will be willing to work with you if there is a problem and can provide good resources for you to follow up (if you got the pup from a crappy breeder they won't be much help).

Also keep in mind that there are some vets out there with an a
A/R, anti-breeder, and/or anti-purebred bias who will bash them at any opportunity.

I have owned bassets for 32 years, and I've been breeding for 20. None of my bassets has ever required leg surgery.

__________________
Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT
Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT
Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT
Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life
Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass
Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN
Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion
Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise
Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye
Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound
Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

vonny01

I have no experience of puppies as I got mine when the were older,but his back legs do look very wobbly and uncoordinated

Soundtrack

The computer I'm watching on shows the video very dark, so it's hard to see him against the dark (looks black) mat. However, nothing is jumping out at me as being abnormal.

__________________
Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT
Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT
Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT
Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life
Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass
Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN
Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion
Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise
Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye
Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound
Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

Annie714

How old is Bobby?

He is really very cute so I can see how you can fall in love instantly.

Does the breeder have anymore puppies left? Can you go watch them walk and run? Or the parents maybe? Maybe Bobby just needs to grow into his big bones.

__________________
Blog about the antics of Annie and I. http://thechickandthehound.blogspot.com

Mr. Woofus

I'll just chime in here with my opinion. I volunteer at a basset rescue and we see tons of dogs with bad fronts. 95% of these dogs do just fine most of their lives, they get around and have just as much fun as the rest. In fact, one of the dogs we rescued Snoopy has really bad fronts. He's fine, just really crooked. I would never do surgery on a pup that young. Let him grow into his bones first. A couple things you could do is limit his time you walk him, don't have him go down stairs. Also if he limps, then crate rest him (which can be hard since he's a pup). I just personally think a lot of vets are "knife" happy and want to cut into anything they think they can get away with. Always get a second opinion. Hope this helps, and I'm sure others will chime in as well.

Princess Buttercup

I can't imagine how you felt during or after that visit! Our family has always treated our pets like family (people). I'd go to the ends of the earth to help any member of my family. Many people have serious orthopedic concerns & they learn to adapt &/or do things differently. I think as long as you're willing to work with cute sweet Bobby now & in the future he will be just as happy to share his life with you as any other family member would. Best of luck & keep us posted after the 2nd opinion please!

Boomer's Mom

I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, just a cute little puppy playing.

I think you need to find a new vet; one that is basset-friendly. Seems too eager to want to do surgery that may not be necessary.

__________________
Boomer: Born 4/18/2010
Biscuit: Rescued 1/26/12, approx. 2 yo

Chez Basset: Come for the kibble, stay for the belly rubs.

bubbad

Yea Boomersmom! He walks like a basset puppy.He has long hocks,nothing wrong with his knees.He bunny hops,typical basset puppy.Soundtrack has it right when she says most Vets do not know how loose basset joints can be at that age. They have the" jello factor" it all wobbles. 2nd opinion a must. Bassets should not come to you needing surgery,very pooly bred ones may but even those don't always need surgery.20 years none of the dogs I've owned or any of the puppies I've raised have needed surgery on their legs.