Need some vibes for Campbell - Bugsy's buddy - Updated again - worse

 Thanks everyone I am hoping to hear more today - when I spoke to her last night she had contacted the holistic vet they used when their other boxer had a brain tumor and are planning on seeing him Friday.  I am curious to find out how the conversation with the breeder went.

For the record, Cambell is the first dog that this family has bought from a breeder.  Their previous two boxers and their current two doxies are rescues.  They had hoped to get a healthy boxer by going to a breeder.

kpwlee

They had hoped to get a healthy boxer by going to a breeder.

I know nothing of the condition but this dog sounds young...I wonder how young pups can be screened for the issue? It would make sense to perhaps do EKG's(sp?) on outgoing pups...but if it can come up anytime or not until a certain age then that'd be a hard thing to catch.

I am sorry for the family that is heartbreaking. The other benefit, of going thru a breeder (besides getting a healthy dog which is more likely but certainly not 100% guaranteed obviously) is perhaps being given another, healthier pup if they are up to it and depending upon what their contract is written as. If they have other dogs/lines or even an older puppy already screened clear...things could still work out okay. I am hopful something can be worked out and that the young affected dog can enjoy her time and life...she certainly does not know there is anything wrong with her...and that's a blessing IMO.

 thanks Gina I didn't hear anything today and am hopeful that they got somewhere with the breeder - he is a young dog 6 months old and he sure doesn't know he has a bad heart.

From the reading I've done since finding out about Campbell all boxers should be scanned at a year.  That is considered the bottom end of when you will be able to detect it.

Hope Campbell is doing OK today!

 I hear you -- the thing that is SO discouraging is that in some of these breeds that have gotten SO popular so quickly, that so many of the dogs that are in rescue are the ones badly bred (because no one cared in the first place) but then even trying to FIND a well-bred one can be a super-human task.

My heart just breaks for these people -- they've tried to do all the right things (adopting rescues, taking on dogs that are perhaps a bit difficult, and then going to a 'good' breeder) and they get tough stuff to deal with.  I'm glad they've at least got a good friend to help them and be sympathetic (you!!)

I wasn't trying to be condescending -- it's just that so many people "lurk" on here and never post, and I figured at some point in here there needed to be some discussion of when such things are normally diagnosed so that folks don't just walk away with an "all boxers have ...." mentality.  Make sense?

 Well I haven't updated with the all the information but this is where he is at today - the vet school saw his readings from the previous heart test and want him in asap.  So he will have an EKG on Thursday morning and the Holter test.  Carol just called and was terribly upset again.  She had spoken to the holistic vet and was rather upbeat from that conversation which was a stark contrast from her conversation with the breeder who clearly isn't one of the good guys.

I feel so sad - this really doesn't sound good.  They sort of said he appears to have severe heart disease.  we are talking about a 6 month old pup.

We had a playdate scheduled for Thursday, instead he will now be at the vet school for testing.

Wish this little guy your best folks - he deserves better.

heart problems are genetic... didn't the breeder test for this? I know it's kind of a mute point now, but something to think of in the future. I know boxers are also very prone to cancers, sadly.

I'm hoping they can get him on some stuff, and he can have at least somewhat of a 'good' puppyhood. It's all very sad, poor Campbell!

On another thought... maybe this sheds some light on why the doxie kept attacking him? Maybe he KNEW there was some weakness in the pup? Just a thought... (not an excuse, obviously)

erica1989

heart problems are genetic... didn't the breeder test for this?

erica1989

Maybe he KNEW there was some weakness in the pup? Just a thought...

Just so sad

I'm a big believer in doggie instincts and B probably had a feeling something was up with this pup. 

We are hoping for the very best outcome for him. 

Lori

I am so sorry to hear this...I'll hope that Campbell can enjoy a good quality of life as long as he possibly can.  I'll bet you guys are right on with the behaviors exhibited by the Doxie and B.

Karen, I feel so badly for everyone involved.  I know that it is heartbreaking to have to deal with something like this with a puppy.  Hopefully, Campbell's results will be better than expected.  

erica1989

heart problems are genetic... didn't the breeder test for this?

While I do think that the breeder should be doing more to help, I will say that cardiomyopathy, even with proper health testing is difficult predict. 

Currently, there is a very reputable Dobe breeder (they health test, & their dogs have titles on both ends) who has had cardio pop up in their lines.  The last I heard, they have lost 3 younger dogs to cardio.  They have all came from the same dam (different sires), but they were not littermates.  The dam is now 8 years old.  She has been holtered, & echo-ed yearly from the time she was 2 years old, & she has yet to have an abnormal test.  She is obviously past breeding age now, yet she, & all three sires are still "normal" while their offspring are being affected. 

Here's an interesting link on a study that University of Guelph has been doing on Dobermans & cardiomyopathy.

Karen - I am so sorry, this is just so sad.  That breeder makes me so mad!  I can't believe they won't stand by their health guarantee!  Good and warm thoughts going out to Campbell and his mom.

Please tell your friend that we are praying for her and her pup.