berkdogg

If you purchase a doberman from what you believe to be a reputable breeder, and the dog turns up with worms on a vet visit 2 days after purchase despite records from the breeder indicating deworming, is this a sign that the dog has been neglected and the breeder is dubious, or is it just that puppies are worm magnets?

I purchased Merrick who cost a pretty penny, and he had worms. I figured I wouldn't take him back because he seemed like a good dog and that if the breeder was questionable then I'd be putting him in a bad situation.

gracieface

this alone is not enough info to pass judgement on a breeder, however it is surprising. But that said, I was at a conference and one of the speakers was a parasite specialist and he said the further south you go the higher the prevelance of parasites- treatment is easy, but the key is to the keep the environment dry and clean, if the breeder was diligent in cleaning up all poop, reinfestation is easy. if they are outside, the eggs can live a long time on the grass, the cycle continues. Just what I learned. sorry, don't know how helpful that was

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Elizabeth
Dobermans aren't my whole life, they just make it whole.

thea2003

Most breeders will deworm their puppies.
However there are so many species of worms that probably the dewormer they were using wasnt effective on all species.
Also the life cycle of different species or parasites differs. Which is why most vet will recommend at least 2 fecal exams and a deworming series.
Also puppies should be dewormed every 2 weeks while with mom, so he should have had at least 4 treatments. And usually the mother will be dewormed while mother is pregnant or nursing...at least this is how it was done with cats.
I dont think a puppy having worms is a sign of a bad breeder, if it was something like coccidia or another internal parasite then possible you may question their cleaning practices.

reddobes

I am guessing you pup probably had roundworms. Puppies can have roundworms despite multiple dewormings and it does not mean the breeder is not reputable or kept the puppies in poor condition.
Most of the monthly heartworm preventatives protect against roundworms and hookworms and this can help your pup from getting reinfected. More info:
Companion Animal Parasite Council—Roundworms in Dogs

berkdogg

Thanks to everyone, this helps a bunch. It was roundworms in fact. Took three treatments to get rid of them.

dobermansrule

happened to us. He had "puppy worms" aka roundworms. Not too uncommon.

Lexxsmom

my puppy had a parasite when i got him, and i don't think it makes my breeder a bad breeder, i visited several times when lexx was there and was very pleased with the conditions. puppies get these things, thats why the stool samples and vet checks are so important!

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Leanne and Lexx


Dragon Slaying Dobermans Incorporated, member #001, President.
" I don't need to sit for the cookie, I hunt dragons all day dammit!"
Lexxington's blog: http://lexxslife.blogspot.com/

zeus and me

I worm all my pets quite often....dogs and cats monthly. I believe at any given time most animals have some sort of parisite. many people think because the animals is kept indoors it cant have worms. that just is not true! people can track them in or critters can walk into your yard. so in my opinion it isnt bad to have a parisite....it is bad to keep them. regular worming is important for the health of any pet