Big Paws Only Dog Forums
Saint Bernards => Saint Bernard General Discussions => : bellaboo May 14, 2005, 12:54:28 PM
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I just wanted to make mention of something we are probably all aware of. Despite checking out a breeder and coming up clean, it's possible they are still not ethical. As was the case with the breeder who sold me my Bella. I do not regret giving Bella the best home possible, but she was only with me for 2 years before she had to leave us. She was the runt of a litter riddled with problems and many died prematurely with medical problems. Bella had chronic kidney failure - a disease normally acquired by older dogs. Bella's mom was not the strongest despite her dad being from a king's line of saints. Most genetic problems acquired by the pups came from the oversized and weak mom. (she was over 200 pounds, and had digestive problems....so we finally found out from the breeder)
Eventually Bella's mom passed away at an early age as well. These breeders were working her too hard and had 2 more litters after bella and her siblings were born, despite all the problems and early deaths from the first litter.
Please be sure to do your homework on the breeder. Also, I hope desperately that Saint owners have all done their homework on the breed also. Saints are a special and highly intelligent breed, and in my opinion are extremely unique and often misunderstood. They are the epitomy of gentle giants.
Peas...
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I agree with you 100%, what happened to Bella?
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Hi there...
Bella was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure at age 2. She apparently had been born with it. She had always shown subtle symptoms of it that the vets all (there were several) passed off as other ailments. Finally, one vet decided to do blood tests because she began to lose weight rapidly and would not eat very much etc... We then found out there wasn't much time left for her. She was a champ though. Taught me some of the most valuable lessons in life. :)
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This is a good warning to people. I feel the same way about the breeder I got Zoey from - after we got her, we found out within the first month that not only had she not been de-wormed like we were told, but also hip dysplacia. When we took her in for her hip check-up, the vet tech asked up where we got her and it turned out that the vet tech had formerly worked for the breeder. She told us horrible stories that make my stomach turn. I love Zoey to death and I wouldn't trade her for anything, but I wish she had a better breeder than hers turned out to be.