Purebred Health

Goal of the Community
To educate pet owners or future pet owners about the common diseases and genetic dispositions to which their chosen breed is prone. It has also been established to discuss individual stories concerning members' experiences with their purebred animal(s), with particular regards to common genetic faults and diseases to which their breed is pre-disposed.

With every purebred animal comes a genetic pre-disposition to specific diseases and conditions. The goal of this community is to make owners aware of these diseases and conditions when adopting or buying a purebred animal.

Many purebred rescue organizations do not cover genetic dispositions when an adoption is taking place. A non-profit rescue does not have the money to do all the diagnostic and genetic testing for their animals, however, owners to-be should be informed about what the potential pet could have so they can get it done themselves. While adopting is an awesome option when looking for a purebred animal, potential adopters should still be aware of the genetic health risks involved with their desired breed.

Many breeders (aka backyard breeders) do not inform their customers about the genetic dispositions to which their chosen breed is prone. Hopefully, through this community people who choose not to adopt through a specific breed rescue will buy a pedigree animal from a reputable breeder that does do genetic or diagnostic testing to ensure healthy animals.

For example:
If a person decided to adopt a Persian from the Persian Cat Rescue they should be informed about PKD, hip dysplasia, elongated soft palates and stenotic nares. The rescue, being a non-profit organization, does not have the funds to test for all these issues themselves but the potential owner should be informed so they can get the pet tested or at least be aware of what to look out for.

If a person is planning on buying a pedigree Persian from a breeder the person should make sure the cattery is PKD free and be certain the breeder breeds for structural soundness so that hip dysplasia, elongated soft palates, and stenotic nares are NOT an issue.

At times these issues are not stressed enough and people then find themselves in a financial bind, whether they rescued from a breed specific rescue organization or bought from a backyard breeder. It is true that owners should always be prepared to pay for their pets but a lot of grief can be saved with just some knowledge of what problems a certain breed is prone to have. Then they are able to either prevent it, screen for it, or at least be prepared for it when the owner is looking for that special pet.

While this community is to educate and share knowledge, this to be a fun place too! Pictures and stories about your special purebred animal are more than welcome here!

Stories about the problems you have had to face because of a certain illness your purebred is prone to carry are even better. Share and educate!

Questions are always welcome! The whole point of this community is to share information and hopefully, give to the community, and gain something from community interactions. Even question unrelated to genetic health and disease are welcomed. Examples: Grooming methods for a hard to tame coat, feeding methods for breeds prone to obesity, exercises for breeds prone to back issues, ect.

What this community is not about
This community is by no means anti-mixed breed animals. This is merely an informative community where people can discuss the health of their purebred animals and what issues they might have because of the breed.

This community is by no means designed to encourage people to breed their animals and it is not for breeders who do not know what they are doing to come here asking for advice. This community advises that pets be spayed and neutered for health and longevity.

Even though the members of the community are very knowledgeable, they are not replacements for a veterinarian’s expertise. If the pet is sick and in dire need of veterinary attention please consult a vet.

Rules
1. This community welcomes everyone to share pictures of their pets and stories! However, if sharing more than 1 picture please LJ-CUT. The single picture that is not cut must not be larger than 500 x 500 pixels.

2. Flaming and name calling are not allowed. It is understood that everyone will have their own opinions and points of view and not everyone is going to agree, but members are expected to act civil. Discussions and debates are welcomed but petty squabbles, and fighting are not. There are plenty of communities that are made just for such behavior and this isn’t one of them. Offenders will be warned once and if the member acts out and lashes out again, the member will be banned.

3. Donations and money request posts are not allowed.

4. Promo posts are welcomed as long as they relate to this community in some way and if the mod would be so kind to link us to the user info in their community info. :)

5. If things get heated in the community please contact gummyneko or sopay. Or please sent an email to purebredhealth (at) gmail (dot) com.

6. Do not disable comments! This community is not your soap box, thanks.

Other Great Communities to visit
animal_training
dog_lovers
doghealth
cathealth
animal_studies