Goldenridge kennels Roxanne and Leslie Ellsworth Broke contract over our puppies health Hampden Maine

 I submitted the 2 x rays taken to Dr. Keller for his review.      

          Hanna Persson JPS Surgery done on a 16 wk. old male golden retriever   Inbox x       Goldenridge Kennels <goldensofmaine@gmail.com> Mar 30   to ofa         Please forward these X rays to Dr. Keller for his review...     Thank you     Dr. Keller, Attached is a x ray of the pup DOB 12/3/17 which I was telling you about the other day.  Yesterday the owner had the JPS procedure done on this young pup.   Could I possibly have your opinion on how these hips look to you.   Thank you   Roxanne Ellsworth (((redacted)))

ofa office <ofa@offa.org>

Mar 30

to me

Upon reviewing the images of Lukka Persson the dog is very immature.  Judging the percent coverage of the femoral heads the hips are within normal limits at this age.

Thank you,

G.G. Keller, D.V.M., MS

Diplomate ACVR

Chief of Veterinary Services

Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

2300 E. Nifong Blvd.

Columbia, MO 65021

1-573-442-0418

From: Goldenridge Kennels [mailto:goldensofmaine@gmail.com] 
Sent: Friday, March 30, 2018 1:55 PM
To: roxanne ellsworth <goldensofmaine@gmail.com>; ofa office <ofa@offa.org>
Subject: Hanna Persson JPS Surgery done on a 16 wk. old male golden retriever

After hearing that a complaint had been filed against a breeder that we have been repeat customers of over the past 5 years, and have gotten 2 puppies/dogs, as have other members of our family, from Roxanne & Les, I had to write in defense of their business.  

First let me say, Goldenridge Kennels breeds goldens with the highest regard for health and temperant quality possible.  There are 100's (or thousands) of happy customers on the Goldenridge fb page that can attest to this standard.   Many of the dogs she breeds are bought from top breeders overseas.  All breeding dogs undergo full testing for quality BEFORE being bred.  She brings the dogs (at the appropriate ages required, before breeding) for EYE, HEART, HIP, ELBOW, etc (there are more).  I know for a fact that Roxanne will NOT breed a dog that has low score on any of these tests, but she does everything she can to insure this won't happen, although mother nature is a factor and has had a dog that did not score well & was not used for breeding, at her loss.   

Second, I have to say, I am surprised and feel very bad that someone was convinced to do a surgery such as this on such a young pup.  I feel bad for them, because they obviously believed what they were told, BUT why would you not get a 2nd opinion, especially when your breeder has access to OFA doctors, or go find your own 2nd opinion doc.   I also feel bad for this young pup, who from the OFA opinion after reading the xrays, had no sign of HD, has undergone a surgery that has altered his hips forever.

Thirdly, to expect the breeder to pay for your controversial rushed surgery is above & beyond what any breeder would agree to.  Unfortunately, the customer is upset and is trying to lash out.   

This is our letter of support for Goldenridge Kennels, Roxanne & Les Ellsworth, as I found them to be good honest quality breeders and kindhearted generous people, who would have done all they could for these people, if they had been willing to do their due diligence before rushing in.

I hope in the end, the pup, and it's family, heal well and remain in good health.  I believe in the breeder and had to write this in support after hearing of this complaint.

CH

 My husband and I have now purchased 2 dogs from Roxanne and have had nothing but positive experiences. She is very professional and cares immensely about her dogs and her puppies. Roxanne does extensive research into the medical history of the dogs she breeds to make sure they are of the highest quality and that they have the proper clearances. I happened to do some research after reading your review to educate myself. I found that everything stated that hip dysplasia can not be diagnosed at the age of 16 week and that most dogs do not show any clinical signs of dysplasia at such a young age. I also found that this procedure is done based solely on the fact that your dog "has a chance” to develop hip dysplasia, but with no definitive proof the he or she will. It’s a shame your puppy had to go through such a traumatic event so young. Just curious...did you ever have a second opinion before jumping into surgery for such a young puppy whose hips are not even fully developed??

We are so sorry that we could not advise our client out of this prophylactic surgery.

 All our breeding dogs are certified for health clearnces such as hips, elbows , heart and eyes.  With 10 generations or more of good hips the possibility of hip dysplasia is very low.  I  spoke with the doctor on March 28, 2018 and he said their was no evidence of HD and the hips looked good according to the xrays he had taken.  Sugery was already scheduled for  the next day March 29, 2018.  He based his surgery on laxity alone.  All pups are born with laxity and no HD.  This clients dog exhibited no symptoms of CHD and I feel that the clinic seduced her into a surgery that was approximately $2,931.61 and two radiographs which were approximately $456.63 for a problem that was not obvious nor was the pup given a chance to grow to see if laxity  which is common in pups would change change with growth.

 We were appalled to learn as were OFA/DR. KELLER, DVM., MS, Diplomate  ACVR--Chief of Veterianry Services--Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, other breeders, and professional people from YGRC  that this was being offered to 16 week old pup.  The sedation is always a risk and there is NO PROOF that the surgery works.  There have been no studies in regards to this surgery.  As for the supposed DX.  CHD  the factor for this clinic to put a pup through this was laxity in the hips.   All pups are born this way.   This does not determine a DX OF CHD.

 Their whole premise is that the earlier they do surgery the better the out come.  They even offer early altering while this surgery is being done.  Something most vets would not put this young of a pup through and we advise not to alter since studies have shown decrease in immunity and increase in cancer from early altering.  This study was done by UC DAVIS in California.  From what I have seen this surgery is being offered to any pup whether or not signs of CHD are present are overwhelming. 

 I spoke with Dr.  Keller from OFA 

He said the ssurgery is very aggressive for such a young puppy.  Also, he doesn't recommend this surgery on such a young pup.  He had also mentioned that if people send in  x rays to OFA for review after their puppy/dog has had this type of urgery OFA will not review x rays as this surgery permanently alters pups/dog hips.

 I tried to talk with the client about my concerns I had only one day to do this since she decided in an abrupt way to do the surgery.  I asked her to get a second opinion , etc.   Nothing I  said would dissaude her.  My contract states that there is a guarantee for hip dysplasia and in no way did this prophylactice sugery show there was hip dysplasia.  

This is a relatively new type of surgery with no definitive findings.  We are in the process of finding answers to why this can be offered and why this is allowed to persuade unknowing clients to believe they will find an answer to hip dysplasia.

After speaking with Dr.  G. G. Keller from OFA he reviewed the 2 x rays taken by her doctor.

His findings were the x rays/hips were within normal limits for a pup at this age/no hip dysplasia .