A large-scale dog breeder on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is being accused of selling puppies with costly genetic conditions such as luxating patella and hip dysplasia.
It is a suggestion Diamond Valley Kennels (DVK) owner Lisa Howlett rejects entirely — and the RSPCA has deemed her facility compliant.
Ms Howlett suggested some customers were expecting to buy a perfect product rather than a living, breathing animal.
Brisbane resident Reegan Jones and his partner Shauna bought their cavoodle Lucy, a Cavalier King Charles cross Toy Poodle, in December 2018 for $3,300.
They said Lucy had needed surgery to correct a luxating patella in September 2019, at a cost of $2,800.
Veterinarian Dr Scot Plummer, who runs the Brisbane Pet Surgery, said the condition occurs when the kneecap (patella) moves from its normal position.
“Essentially what happens is the kneecap pops out of the joint, and the pain is from it popping in and out,” Dr Plummer said.
“Over time, the majority of luxating patellae are permanently outside of their normal position.
“Unfortunately, surgery is the only option in terms of putting it back where it’s meant to be.”
Dr Plummer said luxating patellae were graded between one and four, but even low grades were a “serious issue”.
Read more here: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-03/puppy-farm-queensland-sunshine-coast-dispute/12132372
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