Hi all,
I am new to your board, but want to say it looks like there is a lot of great sharing of ideas going on here and I enjoy reading all of your posts. I'm wondering if I could describe one of my dogs to you and I would like any input you might have regarding what could be going on with her. I am the owner of two black standard poodles. My male is eight..never been sick a day in his life..(for real) about a year and a half I decided I wanted to get another standard and contacted the same breeder. Lucky(or unlucky) for me I was able to get a pup from the same pair. As it turns out I have now two poodles, black male and female from the same stud and bitch, only six years apart. I felt confident going to this breeder because of the fantastic health and all around pleasure my male has been. This is the problem:
The female was the runt. She has always seemed somewhat shy, she isnt happy about car rides and only goes because everyone else is going..lol..Her hips are awful, I have had her checked out through a number of qualified hip guys and to operate i would have been about nine grand. Instead we decided to not go with any operation due to cost..The other thing wrong with her is her eyes. They are red..almost like a cockers or clumber spaniel. The outer area and the white seem infected and itchy. They are not runny but if they were a humans eyes they would look itchy almost. I have since had my purchase price refunded by the breeder without issue so I am fine there. I am wondering if anyone out there has found similar type traits in runts or underdeveloped dogs. I know that out of her litter they lost about five pups right off the bat and it was a large litter to start with. Her other litter mates are fine (per the breeder) but then again who really knows? Her size today is not an issue with me. She is a small petite female standard and she is very pretty..(if you dont watch her hips and look at her eyes) lol.
Im really wondering about her eyes..anyone have any ideas? It doesn't look like entropian to me. Maybe they never developed correctly??? Im not a show person..These dogs are like my children and I simply love them so I am sorry if I have mistated some terms here. It just looked like all of you might be able to give me some input on this issue. I am in the US if that matters <smile>
thanks so much
Kellye

Welcome to the forum Kellye :-)

What was your vets assessment of your poodles eyes?

We'll forgive you for being American :D :D

hi poodlegirl if you log on to www.standardpoodleclub.co.uk you will find a number of forums regarding all aspects of poodle ownership including health issues there is also a link to the american standard poodle club good luck

sorry poodlegirl address should be www.standardpoodleclubuk.com

Kellye

How sad for you. This type of thing can happen at anytime - there are no guarantees -- no matter how careful you are. All health testing does is allow the breeder to minimise risk of any puppies having problems with inherited conditions. A repeat mating may produce similar puppies but is not necessarily guranteed. You never know, she may have a had a similar pup in the litter that your boy came from, that never actually made it - not uncommon. If she is the little one from the litter, then again it is not uncommon for them to have ongoing health problems. It's why the advice is to look for an outgoing good sized pup when you view a litter. The breeder has probably done as much as you can expect in refunding the purchase price.

I would be guided by your vet on her eyes. Although they may look sore, he will be able to tell you if they actually are. s for her hips - again this will come down to how uncomfortable it is for her and in time you may have to make a very painful decision based on her quality of life and amount of pain she is in.

If she is not in pain then enjoy her for who she is - as you said - she is one of your family:)

hth

Pam n the boys