Re: The Day My World Stood Still

Laura Parker's heroic efforts (see "The Day My World Stood Still", Volume III/2, March, 1995) at trying to be a conscientious breeder are commendable and I hope she can be proud of that despite the sad results for her immediate breeding program.

Several circumstances beside the obvious ones in her scenario are worth comment. Beware: Taking dogs to a teaching facility is in no way a confirmation of competent veterinary services. In fact, in many cases the correct term should be a "learning institution" and in Laura's case, the veterinarians "learned" on her dog's misdiagnosis of bilateral dysplasia. Also, remember that use of some pre-anesthetics and anesthetics can enhance and in some cases exacerbate heart murmurs.

Unfortunately, taking dogs to board-certified veterinary specialists is not a confirmation of competent veterinary service. One of my Leonberger clients took her bitch to a boarded veterinary ophthalmologist in the Los Angeles area for a late afternoon CERF appointment. The veterinarian looked and announced the bitch had cataracts and needed to stay overnight for an immediate operation in the morning. After the owner recovered, she said no and the vet became angry and called her irresponsible. Not sleeping all night, the owner had the bitch on the doorstep of another board-certified ophthalmologist the next morning before the clinic opened, begged for an immediate appointment, and held her breath until the vet said, "there's not even the slightest sign of anything wrong with these eyes, and here's your CERF papers."

Just as in human medicine when a diagnosis requires a non-reversible procedure such as spay, neuter, amputation, etc., always go for a second opinion.

Carole Scott Bardwick
Canine Cryobank, Inc.
340 State Place
Escondido, CA 92029