Looking to get a NI General Chat

Congratulations! Did she lie about having Zellas hip scores back BEFORE she mated her?

I dont have a big "issue" she is implying that Goats milk caused the puppy to have cataracts, if this is the case why arent we seeing it all the time as its probably the most popular milk for rearing pups on!

In case you are not aware. HC is tested for each year unless its the DNA test, so actually the parents and siblings of this puppy may have the disease (not saying they have) which will only become apparent in later life. As I said, a Vet cannot see something that isnt there! As with GPRA in Labs, many were clear at 2, 3, 4 and 5, bred from once twice etc.. and then confirmed "affected" at 6!!! Subsequently all previous animals that were bred are affected or carriers etc.. Hope that explains it a little better.

My Dobermann was tested "clear" for DCM at each booster vacc up untill he was 5, he then had a "murmur" and was dead within 6 months, yet he was "fine" to all intents and purposes previous to this. All puppies from this dog could of been affected too, but who was to know as he was clear up untill he was 5. As I said a vet can only see whats in front of him at that time.

Thanks for that info Borderdawn

Must admit I was worried there for a bit ref goats milk, my mum always used it to raise litters sometimes from approx 2-3 weeks old, as needs be sometimes, for over the 15yrs she breed dogs, and there has never been a prob with her pups, thankfully!

Talk about scearmongering!!!! Sorry if thats spelt wrong

An opthamologist can definately tell whether an eye condition is hereditary or not (especially diggerent types of cataract) by its position in the eye

Thanks GH, an Opthalmologist though, not a regular Vet? Im sure my Vet said ages ago when enquiring about it in labs said a specialist would need to do the tests which is why they do!

Well it would depend on whether or not they have the equipment (unlikely) and I would say you would need an opthamologist to understand what they are seeing (our regular vet is an opthamologist ).

I think thats right about the equipment etc.. otherwise all vets would be able to issue certs I would imagine? I also agree that it would need a specialist to know what they were looking at, hence my comment they can only see whats in front of them and probably not "why" or "how" it got there.

I think Scout was raised on Whelpi anyway.

Aww...Sorry it didn't work out.

I hope you manage to find a solution

Sorry to put doubt in your mind but I wouldn't want you to think there is no risk:

'There are a lot of non-genetic causes of cataracts, including trauma,
feeding orphaned puppies milk-replacing formulas, chronic inflammation,
toxins, vitamin B deficiency, diabetes and normal aging changes.' Mike Richards, DVM
4/5/99

That would be true if it was simply a normal vet, they might be able to see certain types of cataract (some are visible to the naked eye) however they will not have been trained to interpret what they are seeing. However an opthamologist can tell when the cataract occured (broadly speaking) and whether it is hereditary or not.

Nutrion deficiencies can cause certain types of cataract however once again the opthamologist would be able to differentiate between a cataract caused by a nutritional deficiency and one that is inherited.

Doesn't matter :
'There are a lot of non-genetic causes of cataracts, including trauma,
feeding orphaned puppies milk-replacing formulas, chronic inflammation,
toxins, vitamin B deficiency, diabetes and normal aging changes.'


Mike Richards, DVM
4/5/99

Well I guess it just must be one of those then, as we dont have any proof of course, Ill keep an open mind as to another possible issue they may have. Is this the only one to have eye problems?

Were all these pups raised on the bitches milk before being put onto the goats milk? Goats milk can cause nutritional deficiencies (and thus cause cataracts) in pups that are only fed this from a very early age (ie the bitch has no milk and the pups are raised solely on a goats milk replacement).

They had colostrum replacement and then Whelpi.

Sorry, Dawn Greyhawk is asking about Marie's mums pups.

Are you Cheyenne's mum?

Sorry Dawn couldn't resist

Dawn, you kept that quiet xxxxxx

OOPS! sorry pardon!

I never knew it myself!!

What can I say..................................... lol.