Injury at Breeders

[Husky12]

Hi again. I've got a breeder related question. Does anyone know if there are specific laws, rules or regulations that a breeder in the US (or more specifically MN) must follow/honor? I ask because I recently discovered that my Siberian Husky had sustained a skeletal altering injury while in the care of the breeder.

About two months ago, I noticed that what looks like Skye's left hip (its the top of the tailbone (pelvis on dogs?), not the actual hip) was noticeably larger than the right side. The bump looked like it could have been a growth (probably unlikely at then 8 months) but it was obvious even then that it was the bone pushing against the skin. Skye and I had gone to the vet for another problem back then, I had asked her opinion about it at the end of the session. By quick examination it looked as though it might have been part of Skye's gait, just the way she carried herself. If it got worse then we would try X-rays.

When I walk Skye, at this point she would always walk on my left side. a lot of the time, she would try to go ahead a few more inches by leaning her neck to the side that the leash was on. So I thought if I walked her on the other side she might do the same thing and hopefully correct it a bit if it were truly her gait that was the problem.

Well, it didn't help and it became more prominent. I had X-rays done and the vet thought them strange and had them sent to a radiologist for a more professional opinion. The pelvis bone was actually misshapen. I hope I can describe it well, if you imagine a pelvis bone like the outline of a butterfly, it would be like the left wing was taller than the right side and stretches a bit further from the center of the butterfly. The radiologist said that it was likely that Skye had an injury that broke her bone, fractured or cracked along (on a butterfly again) where the top section of the left wing connects to the body of the butterfly. This would cause it to grow asymmetrically. Fortunately, her hip joints seem to be ok and hopefully will remain unaffected by this.

I asked if this injury would have been painful, and the vet told me "very". I know that Skye has not experienced this type of pain with me, also no limping or lameness of any kind. That leaves it with the breeder. I also asked if it were possible to figure around what age the injury happened, but it wasn't certain.

Now, I don't know if I would press charges even if there were the possibility of doing so. The breeder never informed me (among other things) of this history and I do feel that I was taken advantage of being a first timer. She knew this and I know now that I was ignorant and unaware of her responsibilities as well as mine to inquire of this sort of thing. My concern at this point is that I just want to know the circumstances of the injury.

See Skye also still has her fear of strangers quirk that is set off primarily with guys. Now I would hate to think that something that traumatizing would have taken place at all in the 16 weeks that she had Skye, but I couldn't help but thinking that this injury could possibly be the major driver of her current fears. Whether the injury happened and wasn't preventable and Skye acquired her fear of guys because she was in pain whenever she was handled (maybe handled by the breeders husband often?) or the unthinkable and a man had actually caused the injury.

Like I said, I don't know if I would act on any regulations, but there's no way the breeder could not have known about the injury; Skye would have been limping and in pain for sometime while she was young. Has anyone had experience with anything like this? What can I, should I do in dealing with this breeder? I haven't spoken with her just yet, I'm waiting for a copy of the radiologists report to send her, but she's been short with me before and I'm just hoping that she's cooperative. Any advice?

Sorry about the length of the post again, I always appreciate your time.
Thanks,
-Joe

[kian]

Hi Joe,
Skye has sure been through alot and I'm sure this is a surprise. With all the health issues Skye has, I would question the breeder ever breeding the parents again. It would be interesting for you to connect with other buyers and see if they have experience all the issues you have been through.

As for the injury, the vet must be exact or it comes to He said, she said. I'm no attorney, but just thinking out loud here. Allie came with a health guarantee for genetic and bone defects which made it nice. Like you, I wouldn't give up my dog if that occurred. Since you are looking for information, the best bet is a nonchalant offense here, just a question of injury so you can better treat her. You are just looking for information now to put the pieces together not for any pointing fingers yet.

You mention she had Skye in her care for 16 weeks before you bought her, had the other pups been sold? That is a possibility to consider if a injury had to heal.

As for her fear of men, sometimes that comes with the breed and just the dog. That is hard to say, but a possibility.
I'm sure others will have some better insight than I on how to proceed with this. Do let us know, I am very curious.

[Nileska]

The first thing to do once you have the results of the orthopedic evaluation,,is to explain to breeder what the vet has discovered and ask her about any injuries Skye may have suffered. DO NOT be confrontational ! you want her cooperation.

I dont know what kind of contract you sighned when you bought the puppy but any health guarantees or conditions are usually spelled out. Show'breeding prospects are more thoroughly guaranteed against disqualifying faults than those designated as pets. [your own qualifications are also exhamined and the cost will be greater]

Skye may have have had some sort of innocent accident and needed some recovery time,she is a very pretty girl and appears to be of good breeding.

Years ago one of my puppies suffered a broken toe, she was climbing up the X pen when she got blindsided by one of her littermates. She had a cast on her foot for quite a while. Meanwhile she became famous for the red baby sock that she wore over her cast. She later joined her sister with our friends in Michigan,became a therapy dog and an OB star.

Richard

[kian]

Thanks Richard for coming around! You are a great source for this question.

[Husky12]

Thanks for the advice, guys. I know I feel like I could argue a case here, but you both are absolutely right, I need to be reserved and not confrontational. I haven't spoken too much with my breeder even when I was in the process of getting Skye, a fault of my own I've come to know. The last contact I had seemed a bit sour too. I think it makes me quick to be a skeptic towards her.

As far as I know, Skye and one of her brothers just hadn't been picked up by anyone as of yet. The breeder said that Skye hadn't had any visitors or had left the grounds in that time. The contract spelled most everything out. All the health guarantees were spelled out, but they go out the window if I don't enroll in an 'auto-ship' program for some vitamin company which I didn't. I thought that was weird too, is that normal? If the guarantees were in effect they don't cover injury, just hereditary - which wouldn't have been fair had the injury occurred in the breeders care.

Because text can read in a different emotion than intended (something I'm not good at picking up), would you mind if I PM'd my letter to the breeder to you, Kian and Nileska? Just to look it over to make sure it reads alright? I'm going to wait to write it until I have the official report from the radiologist in hand.

[Oliver & Henry's Mum]

Are you sure this injury did not occur during the process of being born, or in the first few hours after birth? Puppies are so tiny and floppy when they are born, that the Mum could have easily accidentally stepped on a pup's hip/pelvis and caused an injury.

Firm information from a radiologist is required to pinpoint how old an injury this might be.

While Skye may not have genetic bone malformations, injury during birth could easily go undetected. It's just a thought.

Good luck with Skye

[Husky12]

Well, I don't know if we can rule that out or not. I'll see if I can ask the vet tomorrow, good point. Unfortunately, I was told that Skye's age during the injury would be hard if not impossible to determine.

[Nileska]

Hi Joe;..I think it would be best if you could talk with the breeder,either in person or by phone. Make it clear you are only seeking information [be cogenial] , not someone to blame. Your aim is to learn as much as possible in order to care for Skye.

The requirement in the contract for the vitamin account had me mystified until I discussed it with my wife who reminded me that some breeders have found certain foods or suplements beneficial to the puppies they breed and will require in their contract that you continue the regimen. I would guess that the products she is refering to is for Skye,which would be not at all unreasonable. The contract spells out your duties as well as hers and the primary concern is the health and wellfare of the puppy. Apparently the breeder believes that Skye needs the vitamin or supplement that she wants you to order.This schould have been explained to you before you signed the contract.

I am the midwife around here and have delivered a number of Husky puppies and some Keeshonden too, The Huskies are pretty robust at birth and I have never had an injury during the process. However it is possible for the bitch to step or lie on the puppys,that is why some whelping boxes have "pig' rails.

Let us know how it goes.....Richard