Putting A Negative Image On Breeders
Bad Behavior, Pets & Animals, USA, Vet | Healthy | March 6, 2018
(I work as a veterinary technician. We are preparing to perform a blood draw on a dog to test for a specific disease that affects the production of hormones from the adrenal glands. The dog in question is not neutered and is likely used as a show dog.)
Owner: “So, this disease you’re testing for, is it hereditary?”
Me: “Yes, the factors that cause this disease can be passed on in a dog’s genes.”
Owner: “So, like… If he tests positive, would you recommend not breeding him?”
Me: “If he does test positive, then we don’t recommend that you breed him, as there is a chance he could pass the gene onto his offspring.”
Owner: “But it’s only a recommendation, right? I could still breed him, regardless of the results?”
Me: “Sir, as a medical professional, it’s a very, very strong recommendation that you should not breed a dog if it is certain that he has a specific hereditary disease. There is a very high chance he would produce more dogs predisposed to developing the disease. It would also ruin your reputation as a breeder if you did this knowingly. So, let’s just hope he comes back negative.”
(The owner seemed satisfied with the answer, but it troubles me that he was still considering breeding the dog if the test came back positive.)
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