Snake River Retrievers Health Guarantee updated 6/18/2018

We strongly discourage neutering or spaying your dog before 12 months of age.  If your veterinarian suggests spaying or neutering your dog before 12 months we strongly encourage you to find a new veterinarian that has the well being of your dog in mind as opposed to their own self interest.  Below are the results of a comprehensive study on this topic and can be found on the AKC website  http://www.akcchf.org/research/research-portfolio/1488.html

01488-A: Health Implications of Spay and Neuter: Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever

 

PROJECT SUMMARY

Studies in the last 10 years have pointed to broad adverse disease risks attributed to neutering. Yet, other work has profiled apparent increases in intact female dogs with mammary cancer and pyometra. Lacking specific information about disease risks, owners are left in the air as to how to use this information in decision making about spaying and neutering because the existing data-based studies have focused on just one breed and one disease, or combined all breeds together. Considering the differences among breeds in body size and the predisposition towards certain cancers or musculoskeletal disorders such as hip dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament tears, one cannot currently weigh the relative advantages of proceeding with spay or neuter, and, if so, whether it should be conducted before or after puberty. The absence of data-based, breed-specific information about the possible adverse effects of spay/neuter (hereafter referred to as neuter) on several diseases of importance to a specific breed represents a gap in the information needed to allow caregivers to become active participants in decisions related to the long-term health of their dogs. In addition, given the strong attention that pet breeders give to breeding for a reduced tendency towards specific diseases that may plague a breed, one should know what diseases, if any, are affected by neutering for overall management of a disease important to the breed in question. This study focused on comparing the effects of neutering on increases or decreases in the risks of various diseases, primarily in the Golden Retriever and secondarily the Labrador Retriever. Disorders of the musculoskeletal system, particularly hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia and cranial cruciate ligament tear were of major concern. Given the role of gonadal hormones in controlling the closure of bone growth plates, it should not be surprising that elimination of testosterone in males or estrogen in females through neutering may result in a significant increase in one or more musculoskeletal disorders. Cancers, including lymphoma, mast cell tumors, osteosarcoma, hemangiosarcoma and mammary cancer, were the next set of diseases examined. Lastly, urinary incontinence and pyometra were examined. The database for Golden Retrievers included 789 cases examined from the computerized hospital record system of the UC Davis, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, with case records going back 15 years prior to the start of the project. When the data were examined without regard to age at time of neutering, the incidence of most syndromes was low enough that even a 2- or 3-fold increase in the incidence of a disease syndrome between neutered and intact females or males did not reach significance. With 2,018 cases for Labrador Retrievers, analyses resulted in more frequent statistical significance, profiling an impact of neutering, particularly on musculoskeletal disorders. Hip dysplasia was significantly increased in both sexes and elbow dysplasia in males. The study involving a differentiation between neutering done at 1 year of age or sooner (early), and that done after 1 year (late), in Goldens was very telling. When all three musculoskeletal disorders were combined to determine the risk of an early neutered dog acquiring at least one of these disorders, there was a risk of about 25% in males and 20% in females, compared to a 5-6% risk in intact dogs. While still preliminary, these results are of serious importance to breeders and owners of Goldens. Of the cancers, lymphoma was significantly increased in both female and male dogs neutered at or before 1 year. Mammary cancer was very rare in both intact and neutered females, as was pyometra. This project lays out, more than any other study, the consequences of early neutering, and when completed, should provide useful information in managing the major decision as to when, and if, to neuter their puppy.

Snake River Retrievers (SRR LLC) health guarantee 

For any of the guarantees to apply, the following must be met: 

  1. The dog must be registered with AKC by the age of 4 months of age. 
  1. The dog must be registered in the original owner’s name, and not have been sold. 
  1. The dog must not have whelped or sired a litter. 
  1. The dog must receive a microchip before any exam for hip, EIC, CNM or prcd-PRA (eye) this microchip must be on examination documents. 
  1. We recommend the name “Snake River” to be in the dog’s official name.  However, this is not necessary for the guarantee. 
  1. The dog must not be spayed or neutered before age 1. 

 

 

To be covered by the Hip & Eye Guarantee:  

  • The dog must be no more than 26 months of age.  
  • The dog must receive a rabies vaccination before age one.  The weight of the dog must be documented at this time. 
  • The dog must be of normal weight. 

 

 

To be covered by the CNM Guarantee:  

  • The dog must be no older than 12 months of age. 

To be covered by the EIC Guarantee:  

 

  • The dog must be no older than 12 months of age. 

 

In the event of suspected Canine Hip Dysplasia:  

  1. Notify Snake River Retrievers by phone.  
  1. Submit radiographs taken by your veterinarian to the OFA for their interpretation.  
  1. In the event that the OFA finds the dog’s hips to be dysplastic, a replacement will be made from a similar breeding after the following has occurred:  
  • Receipt of a copy of the letter from the OFA stating the results of their x-ray evaluation.  
  • Receipt of a letter from your veterinarian stating that the dog has been spayed, or neutered.  
  • Obtain a letter from your veterinarian indicating that the dog is and has been of normal weight and has not incurred an injury to the hip in the past.  Snake River Retrievers must be allowed full access to the dog’s veterinary records. 
  • Return of the AKC registration papers to Snake River Retrievers 
  • Return dog to Snake River Retrievers.  

We will, under no circumstances, refund money that had been paid for the dog, or be responsible for the cost of radiographs, radiographic interpretations, or any other veterinary bills incurred or expenses or any other costs.

Interpretations of radiographic films by any groups other than the OFA will not be considered as valid diagnosis of canine hip dysplasia.
 

If OFA determines the dog’s hips to be dysplastic, and the owner desires to retain ownership of the dog, snake river retrievers may, upon its own discretion, refund one half of the purchase price if the dog is spayed or neutered. 

 

 

 

In the Event of Suspected Heritable Eye Disease prcd-PRA:  

  1. Notify Snake River Retrievers by phone.  
  1. Have the dog examined by a certified veterinarian.  
  1. Have an official prcd-PRA test performed.  
  1. In the event that the dog is found to be afflicted (carrying both genes), a replacement will be made from a similar breeding if the following have been made. 
  • Receipt of a letter from your veterinarian stating that the dog has been spayed, or neutered, or put to sleep. 
  • Return of the AKC registration papers to Snake River Retrievers. 

We will, under no circumstances, refund money that had been paid for the dog, or be responsible for the cost of tests or diagnostics, or any other veterinary bills incurred or expenses or any other costs.

Diagnosis of hereditary canine eye disease by anything other than an official prcd-PRA test will not be considered as valid diagnosis of canine hereditary eye disease. 

If the dog is found to be afflicted with prcd-PRA (both genes) and the above have been met, if the owner wishes to keep the dog, one half of the purchase price may be refunded, at the discretion of Snake River Retrievers. 

 

In the Event of Suspected Centronuclear Myopathy 

  1. Notify Snake River Retrievers by phone.  
  1. Have a certified veterinarian obtain the sample for CNM.  Positive identification must be obtained.  
  1. Have an official CNM test performed.   
  1. In the event that the dog is found to be afflicted (carrying both genes), a replacement will be made from a similar breeding if the following have been made. 
  • Receipt of a letter from your veterinarian stating that the dog has been spayed, or neutered, or put to sleep. 
  • Return of the AKC registration papers to Snake River Retrievers. 

We will, under no circumstances, refund money that had been paid for the dog, or be responsible for the cost of testing, veterinary services or any other expenses. 

If the dog is found to be afflicted with CNM and the above have been met, if the owner wishes to keep the dog, one half of the purchase price may be refunded, at the discretion of Snake River Retrievers. 

 

In the Event of Suspected Exercise Induced Collapse:  

  1. Notify Snake River Retrievers by phone.  
  1. Have a certified veterinarian obtain a blood sample for EIC analysis.  Positive identification must be obtained and the veterinarian must send the samples.  
  1. Have an official EIC test performed. 
  1. In the event that the dog is found to be afflicted (carrying both genes), a replacement will be made from a similar breeding if the following have been made. 
  • Receipt of a letter from your veterinarian stating that the dog has been spayed, or neutered. 
  • Return of the AKC registration papers to Snake River Retrievers. 
  • Return of the dog to Snake River Retrievers. 
  1. If the dog is found to be afflicted with EIC and the above have been met, if the owner wishes to keep the dog, one half of the purchase price may be refunded, at the discretion of Snake River Retrievers.