Cataracts

Hello there - great site !

I'm a brand spanking new member, and I have a concern that I'd like to ask you about. We are getting ready to get a Staffie pup and have contacted a breeder and been to see the puppies. Both Mum and Dad are lovely sweet natured dogs, and the pups at 4 weeks looked fairly plucky - the owner is a lovely guy who is very passionate about his pets and has clearly looked after them - he was honest enough to admit that the Dam is starting to get cataracts - what I want to know is, should I be steering clear of what otherwise seem smashing pups with a great mum and dad, or might it be that they don't pass to the pups? I should also point out - the owner is not a breeder - these are his pets.

your help will be greatly appreciated!

thanks

The owner may care for his pets but he is still a back yard breeder. What tests has he done on the mother and father of the pups? It is important for these to be done before a bitch has puppies, it helps towards having healthy pups.

Cataracts can be hereditary, I wouldn't touch these pups.

There are a lot of very young Staffies in rescues all over the country, why not get one of them, you will then be leaving a space for the rescue to save another dog. If you want, I may be able to recommend some good rescues. If the don't do homechecks, vaccinate, microchip or neuter, walk away.

Thanks Mattie - the guy hasn't done any tests and he's also just told me that he has bred the dogs for 2 seasons in a row by accident. We'd love to get a young rescue dog, unfortunately we have cats, so it has to be a puppy, to stop any hostility towards them!

I'm starting to think it might be a good idea to look elsewhere.

cheers for the advice.

I would agree skelly, you pay for what you get, go to a health tested breeder and purchase a healthy puppy. Why take on an un-healthy one. There are many on here that can point you in the right direction just ask.

I was at the vets earlier and the receptionist told me that they have a 7 week old puppy in, she is supposed to be a Staffy but is a Patterdale cross. Her owner bought her from a puppy mill but the vet reported the condition of the pup to the RSPCA who went and investigated the breeder.

This pup came from a puppy mill, when the RSPCA went in there were 38 bitches all with pups, 21 of the bitches had to be pts because they couldn't stand up, their muscles had wasted so much. The were lying in their own muck as well as the puppies.

Thats Awful It makes my blood boil poor things