[zeitlerusmc01]

I got a call from a extended family member who is a breeder (english bull dogs only). She has another breeder friend who has a 5 month old pure breed female, who has good lines, good energy, already kettle trained and 90% potty trained and she is free to a good home :shock: . Needless to say there has to be a catch right?. well here it is..... she is showing small signs of hip displaysia . The breeder says this is his first dog to show the signs, and there not even strong signs, she is just a little slow to get up in the morning. He said that is the only sign. The breeder took her to the vet and x-rayed her and the vet confirmed that she had SIGNS but did not diagnose her with it. The breeder says that the only reason he is giving her away is because he can't be sure she won't get worse and then have to give the person their money back in the end!!! what should we do???? were going to take her obviously but is it almost for sure she will end up in pain from this condition??? or can some dogs be fine with it, i'm new to english bulldogs and need some advise.

My wife and I have over laping scheduals so someone will be home with her all day, we live is san diego so it doesn't get too hot out side but that doesn't matter too much because she will be inside all day (except for her walks), and my wife and i are getting a dog instead of having a kid so this dog is going to get plenty of attention!!! please let me know how to care for this dog, I came here to you guys because I figure you are experts!!!!

 

[maryserratos]

As long as you are aware of the money involved with hip dysplasia, and are ok with it, I would take her. You can put her on vitamin supplements to help with it. I have mine on cosequin DS, it is just glucosamine chondroitin. It is good for their joints, alot of people give it to their dogs for just a preventive.

Now, with that being said...We need pictures!!!

 

[zeitlerusmc01]

Well i'll be honest with you I'm a pfc (e-2) in the Marine Corps and we don't make crap :x so if she gets real bad and needs surgery and there is no way around it we will have to give her up!!!! i'm at work right now but i'll get some pics she is red and white gorgeous coat!!!!

 

[i love remy]

That's really nice that you're considering taking her into your home, but I have to say it: If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet. Maybe your vet could work out a payment plan for you if this dog does have to have surgery. My Bella had $600 surgery on her paws last year. It's not a huge amount, but we didn't have it at the time, so now we're paying $50/month for 12 months. A very easy amount to pay!

 

[PaulaEdwina]

Well i'll be honest with you I'm a pfc (e-2) in the Marine Corps and we don't make crap :x so if she gets real bad and needs surgery and there is no way around it we will have to give her up!!!! i'm at work right now but i'll get some pics she is red and white gorgeous coat!!!!

Well keep that in mind. And realize there isn't a hot market out there for dysplastic dogs looking for another home so I would say giving her up when it comes to expensive hip surgery wouldn't likely be a reasonable alternative. If you cannot afford the vet care a dysplastic dog WILL need then don't get her.

JMO
Paula

 

[zeitlerusmc01]

well here is the deal..... i just got off the phone with the breeder and she said this, clair (the bulldog in question) has shown no other signs and has been just like the other dogs, the x-ray showed the hip is developing fine as well as the ball, but the ball is placed in the socket a little "funny". daisy (the breeder) asked the vet "well should we put her down now" and the vet said "NO, the dog can still live a normal life it's just something you need to be aware of and watch for in the future". Over all daisy really sounded like they wish they can keep the dog but since they can't do what they want to do with her (breed/and or show) they have to give her away..........what do you guys think. This breeder sales their puppies for 3,500 a piece so were not talking about some hill billies who do this in their trailer house for fun!!!!

 

[Jenn]

I have to agree.. While your heart is in the right place, you may not be the best owner for the dog. It's a shame really, and I think the "breeder" should be dealing with their own creation, instead of trying to pawn it off on someone.

 

[AsianRedneck]

can I have her?

 

[gazar]

The main thing to me, if you do decide to take this dog is to remember that you cannot treat her as you would a totally joint healthy dog. She will require supplements all her life $35 to $50 per month. She will require annual check ups and shots about $200 yearly. She will require quality dog food expecially if she does have a joint problem $30 - $40 per every six weeks. She will require heavy duty toys and bones and treats at $60 - $100 for toys and $15 - $20 per month for treats. She will require a crate $65 - $100. These are the every month expenses & one time expense, are you able to include them in you budget. You need to be honest with yourself on this one for your sake and for the dogs. If the answer is no, then no matter how badly you want her if you cannot give her what she needs then it is not fair to her to bring her into your home.

 

[zeitlerusmc01]

well we "were" excited to get her....................................... I'm even more confused then I was before, I wish you could of heard the breeder on the phone, she said the dog is fine now, and might have problems!!! if the vet thought the dog would suffer don't you think he/she would of said yes we should put her down now before she gets worse?????????? the breeder even asked the vet that and the vet said no way!!!! let her live!!! dang for dog lovers you guys are kinda giving up on this dog really quick. i guess my initial question should of been is hip displaysia always steadily get worse and hurt the dog, or can it still be there and just be dormate, if preventive actions are taken?

 

[PaulaEdwina]

well we "were" excited to get her....................................... I'm even more confused then I was before, I wish you could of heard the breeder on the phone, she said the dog is fine now, and might have problems!!! if the vet thought the dog would suffer don't you think he/she would of said yes we should put her down now before she gets worse?????????? the breeder even asked the vet that and the vet said no way!!!! let her live!!! dang for dog lovers you guys are kinda giving up on this dog really quick. i guess my initial question should of been is hip displaysia always steadily get worse and hurt the dog, or can it still be there and just be dormate, if preventive actions are taken?

We're not giving up at all, we're being realistic. It is not realistic to take a dog with potentially expensive complications ahead into your home knowing now that you cannot pay for those complications. It is not reasonable of you to allow your emotions to superscede reason and hope that maybe the HD won't get so bad so you can have this dog. It is realistic to face the potential complications of having an HD dog head on. It may be that all she'll need for the rest of her life is superior food, expensive supplements and ramps built, but it also can be that she'll need expensive surgery.

As for the forecast. Consider that dogs' hips cannot be certified (OFA Excellent, Good, Fair or Poor) until the dog is two years of age because before maturity there is no way to garauntee the condition of the hips. If she is showing hip problems now it is unlikely that they will get BETTER, and more likely they will stay the same or get WORSE. The vet is correct that the dog should be given the chance to live a full life,

but don't fool yourself into thinking it will be on the cheap.

Paula

 

[gazar]

well we "were" excited to get her....................................... I'm even more confused then I was before, I wish you could of heard the breeder on the phone, she said the dog is fine now, and might have problems!!! if the vet thought the dog would suffer don't you think he/she would of said yes we should put her down now before she gets worse?????????? the breeder even asked the vet that and the vet said no way!!!! let her live!!! dang for dog lovers you guys are kinda giving up on this dog really quick. i guess my initial question should of been is hip displaysia always steadily get worse and hurt the dog, or can it still be there and just be dormate, if preventive actions are taken?

I am not giving up on the dog, I have had a dog with these problems for 12 years. You said that finances were an issue so I thought I would let you know what the regular costs would be and this does not include any vet amounts for her problem - just regular everyday costs that would have to be put out on any dog except for the supplements. Not trying to give you the wrong idea just trying to help you make a good decision based on your question.

 

[i love remy]

wdang for dog lovers you guys are kinda giving up on this dog really quick.

We're definitely not giving up on this dog!! Since we're dog lovers, we don't want to see dogs go into homes where their owners can't pay for their medical care. That's all! We just want the highest quality of life for all dogs!

 

[maryserratos]

OK, if the vet said the dog is fine, take her. EB's are known for having "loose" hips. On x-rays the dog could look completly dysplastic and show NO signs of it. They have huge muscles that help hold their hips in place. Like I said before, go to costco and buy a great big bottle of glucosamine chondriton (its really cheap there), give it to her twice a day with her meals and love the hell out of her! Good luck in whatever you choose.

 

[zeitlerusmc01]

Well the wife and I have thought about it from both sides, we still think we should take this dog. One thing we got going for us is that next month I pick up Lcpl (e-3) which means another 100 bucksa month and the wife will be getting issa certified (personal trainer) and Ive been reaserching vets and talking to both breeders I know and they said there is a surgery that is 200 each socket that helps the rotation of the ball in the hips, one step down from a hip replacement basicly, I don't know all the fancy long hard to pronounce words (i'm a jar head :lol: ) but if we have to spend 400-1000 bucks thats fine but when I hear about 2000-3000 dollar surgery's, that would be too much for us. If I have to I'll sale the wife to pay for the dog to get fixed (don't tell my wife that i said that!!!) I'll keep you people up to date on how clair is doing and if her case worsens or gets better.

 

[gazar]

Well the wife and I have thought about it from both sides, we still think we should take this dog. One thing we got going for us is that next month I pick up Lcpl (e-3) which means another 100 bucksa month and the wife will be getting issa certified (personal trainer) and Ive been reaserching vets and talking to both breeders I know and they said there is a surgery that is 200 each socket that helps the rotation of the ball in the hips, one step down from a hip replacement basicly, I don't know all the fancy long hard to pronounce words (i'm a jar head :lol: ) but if we have to spend 400-1000 bucks thats fine but when I hear about 2000-3000 dollar surgery's, that would be too much for us. If I have to I'll sale the wife to pay for the dog to get fixed (don't tell my wife that i said that!!!) I'll keep you people up to date on how clair is doing and if her case worsens or gets better.

Good luck and I do pray that all goes well for you both and your new addition.

 

[Vertes3]

If you decide to get this dog, you should really try to get some health insurance for this dog to help cover vet bills!!! I'm also getting an English Bulldog (Saturday), and have heard that insurance is the way to go with this breed. With my previous dog (not an English bulldog), I never bothered because I would have definetly payed way more than I put in (he never needed surgery, or expensive medicine, aside from being neutered). I have joined my local English Bulldog group, and almost everyone there has insurance on their dog, and say it's well worth it. Unfortunately there are a lot more health problems with bulldogs than your average dog (skin problems, allergies, palate problems, cherry eye, and other eye problems, etc.). I looked into the insurance, and even though EBs still have higher premiums, it's still a managable monthly rate.

I also want to tell you that bulldogs (of all kinds) are VERY attached to their owners, and it wouldn't be right or fair to the dog to just give it away, especially at a time when it would need you the most!!!!! You MUST look at this as a long term commitment, are you willing to keep this dog for at least the next 10 years?? You sound like you would be a terrific "dad" for this dog emotionally, but if you truely cannot afford her then you need to step aside and allow her to have the best life possible. That being said, I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you make!!!!

Here's a couple great links for you to check out:

http://www.bullwrinkle.com/
http://trimbullbulldogs.com/english_bulldog_health.html
http://engbulldogs.com/bulldog health.htm

 

[zeitlerusmc01]

Well here she is folks finallt got pics of her! she isn't at our house here in san diego yet her appointment to get fixed is on the 18th, so we should have her by the 22nd...enjoy

 

[Josie's Proud Mom]

She looks to be a real sweetheart! I just want to say don't panick! A dog can be diagnosed with hip diplaysia and still live a very normal healthly life. There is a lot of things that you can do for her to make her life healthy and pain free, for example begin her on multi-vitamins and some shark cartilage as soon as possable. This helped my boy (my previous dog 120lb German Sheppard!) he live a very active happy life 13 years! Talk with a vet that has had experience with this problem. Go get her and help give her a change at a good life! I don't think you'll be sorry! Please keep us updated!