When you are looking for a

New Puppy or Kitten...We’re on Your Side

The purchase of a puppy or kitten is one of the most important decisions your family will make. There are a number of factors that should be weighed before making a final decision on your new family member. The veterinarians at Kirkwood Animal Hospital will be your advocates. We feel that we have a professional obligation to inform you, “the potential owner,” of as many of the risks and complications that we can find in the new puppy or kitten. We do not have a business relationship with breeders of dogs or cats and therefore can maintain complete objectivity.

When you depart to visit a new puppy or kitten remember these important points:

1) Pure or Mixed breed?

2) Would I live here?

3) If you think breeding is in your pet's future beware.

 Many breeders are now controlling the breeding rights to the puppies or kittens they sell.  In other words they require that you sign papers stating that you will not breed the dog at all or without permission. If you thing breeding is in the future be ware.

4) Payment method? 

5) What age is best to bring a new pet home? 

6) Have they been socialized? 

7) When should I bring my new puppy or kitten to the vet?

8) Who should I have perform the exam?

Many breeders have a business relationship with a vet. The breeder usually receives services at a much-reduced cost from the veterinarian in exchange for referral of the puppy or kitten to the Veterinary clinic. You will have to decide if this type of relationship can allow these hospitals to be objective in their assessment of the pet. Are they likely to be an advocate of the breeder? We recommend that you insist on an exam by one of our veterinarians at KAH. If the breeder will not comply, do not purchase the pet!

 9) What about hip dysplasia and other genetic diseases?

 The pet you buy will hopefully be a valued member of your family for many years to come.  It is worth spending some time investigating what diseases are common to that breed or hybrid pet.  These diseases can affect your pet’s quality as well as length of life.  Becoming familiar with these conditions prior to making your purchase can save you a lot of heartbreak in the years to come.

Hip Dysplasia is probably the most commonly known hereditary disease known to affect dogs. However, there are many other known diseases that are genetic and as a result,  are common in specific breeds.

We recommend that if you are purchasing any purebred or hybrid dog that you require both the mother and the father be certified free of Hip and Elbow dysplasia as well as other diseases common to that breed.  An excellent summary of some of the most common and serious of these diseases is available at the links listed below.

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA):  http://www.offa.org/

Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF): http://www.vmdb.org/cerf.html

 The OFA databases are core to the organization’s objective of establishing control programs to lower the incidence of inherited disease.  Responsible breeders have an inherent responsibility to breed healthy dogs.  The OFA databases serve all breeds of dogs and cats, and provide breeders a means to respond to the challenge of improving the genetic health of their breed through better breeding practices.  The testing methodology and the criteria for evaluating the test results for each database were independently established by veterinary scientists from their respective specialty areas, and the standards used are generally accepted throughout the world.  The following databases have been developed and are maintained by the OFA today:

·                                 Hip Dysplasia

·                                 Elbow Dysplasia

·                                 Patellar Luxation

·                                 Autoimmune Thyroiditis

·                                 Congenital Heart Disease

·                                 Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease

·                                 Sebaceous Adenitis

·                                 Congenital Deafness

·                                 Shoulder OCD

·                                 von Willebrand’s Disease

·                                 Progressive Retinal Atrophy

We recommend that if you are purchasing any purebred dog, make sure that both the mother and the father be certified free of Hip and Elbow dysplasia, and other breed relevant inherited diseases by the OFA Orthopedic Foundation for Animals – visit their website (listed above) for more information.

For more information on breed related diseases call KAH and we will try and provide you with more information.

10)  Another excellent website to visit to check our inherited disease for many breeds is:

For Dogs:

Guide to Hereditary and Congenital Diseases in Dogs

by W. Jean Dodds DVM

http://www.dogbiz.com/dogbiz-genetic-disease-guide.html

For Cats:

A new pet will become a valued member of your family for the next ten to fifteen years. It is important to do your homework and invest the time and effort to get the best pet you can for your family. Remember to be discerning. We have found that most puppies and kittens are purchased on an impulse and the new owners are attached by the time they leave the breeders. Over the last 35 years we have had to send back many puppies and kittens-buyer beware. Try to be objective until your pet is examined by one of our doctors.

Good luck, we are always here to help you.

The Staff of KAH

© 1998 Kirkwood Animal Hospital