I make every effort to produce puppies free of known genetic disorders through testing that shows the onset of these disorders in adult dogs. My Poodles receive hips x-rays, heart, CAER eyes, PRA, DM, vW, and NeWs. Additionally, poodles will be tested for genetic haplotypes through UC Davis to assist in producing genetically diverse litters. All my dogs receive CHIC numbers through the OFA and their test results can be viewed on that website. Additionally, I will test dogs when the either the sire or dam is a carrier, such as CDDY/IVDD.
However, even when adult dogs are tested free of a disorder their offspring may be affected due to unknown/untestable factors. Should a puppy be diagnosed with a life threatening genetic disorder before the age of two years you may return the dog for a full refund of the purchase price. A refund is contingent upon safe return of the puppy and documentation from a licensed veterinarian of the genetic disorder. I will not refund the cost of veterinary care, food, training, supplies, etc associated with owning a dog. At the time of return a replacement puppy may be offered if available. Dogs that are diagnosed with a life-threatening genetic disorder after the age of two years may be returned for partial refund. All puppies returned for health issues must be accompanied by a complete medical record and contact information for the diagnosing veterinarian so that we can properly care for the dog.
All puppies go home after exam by a licensed veterinarian and deemed healthy, it is at this time that the first puppy shot will be given (and can be waived if desired.) They will receive one round of Parvo/Distemper. Upon receiving your puppy you should schedule an appointment with your own veterinarian. If a licensed veterinarian determines that the puppy is ill within 3 days of you taking custody of the puppy you may return it for a full refund. A returned puppy must be accompanied by all registration papers, and documentation and contact information from the diagnosing veterinarian so that we can properly care for the puppy.
Some health issues do not effect a puppy's quality of life, such as an undescended testicle, retained baby teeth, or a heart murmur. While these traits are common, we don't use dogs with those issues for breeding. If one of these issues is diagnosed at the time of the veterinary check we will notify the potential owner. Even if they are genetic, such an issue is not a reason to return a dog as it is not life threatening. If any such issue is noted by the vet review I will let the potential owner know and they may accept the diagnosis or request a different puppy. Some of these issues have been known to resolve on their own by 6 months of age, such as the undescended testicle and can be successfully treated with Horny Goat Wedd. If you have concerns, please contact me so we can discuss it. I am always interested in assisting my puppies and their owners with any issue they may have.
How to Keep Your Puppy Healthy: I suggest that you follow the Dr. Dodds minimal vaccine protocol and perform titers on a three year basis to ensure that dog remains immunized to Parvo, Distemper, and Rabies (as required by law). I will not be responsible for dogs that have allergic reactions to the 5-way vaccine, Leptospirosis vaccine, annual vaccine schedules, or Coronavirus. Please see the health link for more information on safely vaccinating your dog and known reactions to these vaccines. Some issues that have arisen from these vaccines are cataract, blindness, seizure, auto-immune disorders, rash, itching, vomiting and diarrhea.
Similarly, dogs can also have adverse reactions to heart worm medication, and flea and tick prevention. There is a reason that you must wear gloves when applying these to your pets, the ingredients are known to cause cancer in humans. It is easy to apply prevention and not think about the fact that you are putting toxic chemicals on a dog that you touch, or that your children touch. I suggest natural or homeopathic remedies whenever possible. A list of suggested natural treatments is listed below. If you must use parasite preventatives be sure that you stagger their application. Do not give heart worm within 3 weeks of flea and tick preventatives. Do not give preventatives within 3 weeks of any vaccines. If you put just a little thought into the administration of these treatments you will avoid overloading your dogs with chemicals. Plus, if there is a reaction you will be able to pinpoint which product caused it, and thus avoid it.
Puppies often get UTI's when they are stressed from leaving their home. Put a capful of distilled vinegar in their water bowl to assist in their body cleaning out the bacteria naturally. A puppy with a UTI may drink a lot more than normal and then have to urinate a lot more than normal. They will typically have accidents between potty breaks. Puppies also lick everything, so taking them to places where other dogs frequent, such as dog parks can result in intestinal parasites or illnesses not yet immune to. A parvo vaccine, for example, does not offer immediate protection but can take several weeks before developing immunity.
For the entire life of the puppy I will be interested in the health and welfare of your puppy. Please update me if your dog should contract any serious disease or disorder, whether genetic or not. If you have any questions over the lifetime of your dog I am here to assist in any way I can.
Feeding: The best food to feed is the food you can afford. It is not necessary to put together an entire RAW diet, grain free kibble, or conduct expensive food allergy tests just because. I will send puppies home with a sample of the food they have been eating. Currently I feed my dogs a raw diet supplemented by Orijen for those that choose not to feed raw. You should know that changing their food can cause stomach upset and diarrhea, this is natural in puppies. It is not necessarily a sign of illness. If in doubt contact your vet.
A better quality food will not include fillers or byproducts. It will be made from good quality ingredients. A food recall does not mean that a company is not to be trusted, on the contrary it demonstrates a manufacturer's desire to provide only healthy food to customers. You should not choose a food based upon clever commercials, colorful advertising, or pushy sales people (like Blue Buffalo or Purina)
My Own Choices: My own dogs are minimally vaccinated. I give rabies every three years as required by law, but I do not regularly vaccinate for parvo/distemper. My dogs receive titers assessed by Dr. Dodds every three years. If her recommendation is to revaccinate then they will be revaccinated. I do not give the 5 way vaccine, Lepto, Bordatella, Lyme, Coronavirus, or influenza. The working dogs receive tick preventative in the warmer months every 45 days because we are constantly around tick infested areas, but I utilize cedarwood oil products whenever possible. My yard is treated with an organic flea and tick spray and it has been very effective. Heart worm prevention is given every 45 days during the warmer months but not within 2 weeks of any other preventative or vaccine.
When a decision to breed is made I will limit the dam's exposure to chemicals and vaccines so that the puppies will not be adversely affected. It is my responsibility to give you the healthiest and best socialized puppy I can.
For natural parasite treatment I utilize the following- Natural Chemistry Flea and Tick Shampoo Natural Chemistry Flea and Tick spray for bedding Natural Chemistry Flea and Tick spray for yards and kennels Cedarwood Oil for cleaning baseboards and crates Custom essential oil blend for collars Lemon Eucalyptus oil homemade spray CedarCide flea and tick spray Wondercide pest spray for home and furniture TickRanger professional yard spray for yard treatment of fleas and ticks.
* if you find any of these links is not longer working please email me and I'll fix it