Your Pets and There Healthcare

saint bernard health problems?

We have been looking and researching into saint bernards as we are hoping to buy one, we have been to see various breeders and have spoken in depths with them all and have bought the books and scoured the net but I would like to here from anyone who has or had a saint bernard/s about any health problems, the breeders we have spoken to have all come up with things like hip dysplasia elbow dysplasia etc and although we have gathered numerous insurance quotes what are the vets bills like for keeping a saint bernard? are there many illnesses that can be wrong I have only found things like the dysplasia and occasionally if not well looked after a skin condition can be picked up or even develop through no fault of owner or dog but please give me an insight into life with a saint bernard and a vet apart from drool hanging from ceilings and walls etc and needing more exercise than imaginable, I am only asking as speaking to breeders I don’t know what is going through their minds and they could be hiding things and just trying to make a sale no matter how irresponsible this is of a breeder even the best breeder in the world could think it not that all breeders are like that I dont mean to imply that but not knowing anyone who has had a saint bernard before I am a bit in the dark of the most responsible breeders that there are out there so for all the ones we have seen look reputable and completely have paper work etc to back up their reputation I do not know anyone who has bought from them. please do shed some light if you can or even if there are any sites you have seen that can shed some light on health problems in a saint as I am stabbing around in the dark looking for one.
By the way he/she would be a family pet not for breeding or anything else – i dont know if this makes a differenc to any health problems that he/she may get or not.
thank you

One of the biggest problems with any large, deep-chested dogs like St. Bernards is bloat. Speak with the breeder and the vet about possibly doing a preventive "stomach fix" when the dog is neutered, and read up on the symptoms and treatment of bloat.

As far as hip and elbow dysplasia, only buy from a breeder who can show you OFA results for both parents and as many gebnerations back as possible, Double-check the ratings on the OFA website; http://www.offa.org

Other certifications you should ask for are a recent CERF eye check on the parents and an OFA or University of Mich. thyroid test. Also ask about incidence of cancer in the pedigree.

The Saint Bernard Club of America has some great health info on its site- http://www.saintbernardclub.org/2008Redesign/NewToSaints/keep_healthy.htm

Does second hand smoke affect pets like it does people?

My dog LOVES my dad and follows him around all day.My dad is a smoker (wish he’d stop) and I was just wondering if that can cause any health problems for the dog.

Yes it does have an affect on them:

http://www.smokefreesociety.org/NewsClip/Pets-1.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/160289/secondhand_smoke_affects_your_pets_.html

I never smoke around my dogs, I smoke outside.

Does your pet have a health issue?

Whether you have a puppy, old dog, kitten, old cat, rabbit, fish, horse, guinea pigs, or hamsters.. whatever pet you’ve chosen as your companion.. if they’re limping, having a hard time breathing, have a gross protruding lump from their skin, not eating/drinking, have diarrhea, a weird rash, smell funny, or doing things that are very unlike their personality.. PLEASE, for the love of God, do not get on Yahoo! Answers and ask people on the INTERNET how to fix your pets problem. CALL. A. FREAKING. VETERINARIAN. For christs sake, think if you were in their position.. would you take advice from a handful of idiots on a computer or trust the opinion of your doctor??? And even if there happens to be one soul on here that knows what they’re talking about.. you’re still going to get bombarded with answers from people who have no clue about animals that could lead you to confusion and improper treatment.

I’m really not trying to be offensive, but if you care about your pet.. call your vet.

They will never listen. Many of us have tried. They want to save a buck, save the time…whatever. They don’t listen. Everyday there are more and more postings of sick pets. And have you noticed that now that Christmas has come, and all the new puppies and kittens are here, ther are TONS of people that don’t even have a clue as to how to take care of them!!!

What should I feed my 4 week old puppy, and how often??

Whenshould I worm my puppy??

What vaccines do puppies get??

My puppy is limping??

Vomiting puppy???

Should I buy a puppy that is 5 weeks??

People are clueless and instead of finding good answers for themselves…they ask here…..and RARELY follow good advice!!!
If Hartz had a remedy for every condition at Wal-Mart…these people would be there ever day!!!

Animal Health………?

It amazes me how many pet owners post their pet’s health problems on Yahoo Answers seeking novice answers over a period of a few minutes to a few days…. when they could have called a vet to seek real medical attention in minutes.

Poor pets =( I feel so sorry for you.
Killer. I understand there are exceptions. But most of these situations I believe could have at least called a vet, or emergency clinic. Called being the key word.

Easy now. Vets aren’t always immediately available and a lot of times these owners are merely looking for what they can do at the moment, while waiting for the vet. I posted a question once about a very serious problem with my dog when no vet was available. I live in a town with only one clinic that’s completely closed on sundays and the vet didn’t give out his private number. Don’t just assume these people are irresponsible because they use this site as a tool to care for their pets.

What pets do you have and how much money do you spend on them each year?

I am just wondering, cause I am wanting to buy a female rottweiller in a few short months and I need to know how much it would cost per year for shots or immunizations and other check ups if she were to develop health problems in the near or distant future.

yearly exam 50
rabies and tag 35
distemper/lepto 25
heartworm bt 30
fecal check 20
buying a quality dog food like Iams 50 a month
If she’s sick a blood panel will cost about 80
spay surgery is about 300 with pre anesthetic bloodwork and pain meds
what did i miss? If you go to a rotty recue, petfinder, or craigslist you could get one alreadty fixed and vaccinated