Ferner's Bulldogs Multiple Health Problems and Huge Vet Bills with Puppy Purchased from Ferner's Bulldogs Knoxville, Tennessee
Well I was unfortunate enough to find Ferners Bulldogs website on the internet and trust the dependability of this breeder. After looking back and seeing the number of puppies this site pumps out month after month its a shame that I was stupid enough to purchase from this breeder. After purchasing a female English Bulldog from this breeder from the start there were nothing but health problems (some common in bulldogs but others genetic). Where to start, at 3 months the bulldog developed cherry eye in both eyes which is somewhat common with the breed. She also developed a malignant mass (hemocytoma) on her right side at the same time. Both were surgically taken care of at the time she was spayed. Between 8 and 9 months she developed epilepsy and had episodes of 20-30 seizures in one day. After consulting the breeder, of course, she stated there was no history of any of these medical problems in the parents bloodlines. After recently taking her to Cornell University Animal Hospital to consult a Neurologist more problems have arisen. Now with her being permanently on a seizure medication at the age of 18 months, I am hoping the seizure will cease but also found out she has paraparesis and spinal ataxia in both of her pelvic limbs which is causing her frequent back pain.
Consulting the breeder on the epilepsy was useless. Her recommendation, rather coming to an agreement on refunding some or all of her original purchase price or contributing toward the vet bills, was to give the puppy back in exchange for another. Unfortunately I do not see animals as a product like a toy or electronic device where you can just return it in exchange for another hoping that it might be better than the original. I have become emotionally attached to the animal and regardless of the circumstances would never give up on her. She still is my pride and joy and I will do whatever it takes to have her live a normal life. The next step for both the epilepsy and vertebral malformation is getting an MRI (which may be in the not too distant future and costs over $2,000.00). I have already racked up over $1,000.00 in unnecessary veterinary bills. At 18 months this poor puppy has went through a lot of issues at such a young age and am not sure what the future holds.
At this point there isnt much I can do. My final thoughts are to notify potential bulldog owners on my experience with Ferners and hope no one out there will have to go through what I have already. I would recommend contacting your local AKC breeders if you are looking to get a bulldog due to this high health risk breed.
3 Updates & Rebuttals
Stella08
Memphis,Tennessee,
United States of America
Different experience with Ferner's
#4Consumer Comment
Mon, February 20, 2012
My family purchased a bulldog puppy from Ferner's Bulldogs as well, in 2008. While the first two comments are unfortunate, our bulldog puppy, who is now 4 years old has had no major health problems. She does have slight entropion in her left eye, but that is the extent of her issues. As a matter of fact, we recently moved, and upon meeting our dog for the first time our new vet remarked that we had chosen our bulldog well. Our dog has none of the health problems that are known to bulldogs, thank goodness. She's in excellent shape, and is a beloved family pet. We also researched the breed quite a bit and were expecting to see some issues, but as of yet, we have had none.
We also have a rescue bulldog from a puppy mill,and our two dogs are like night and day. Our poor rescue is like a bulldog nightmare, she is pitiful. While I cannot dispute the experiences reported by the first two comments, I felt that I needed to reply that we did not have the same experience, and would buy from Ferner's again. It is very unfortunate that the original poster has had such an ordeal, and I truly feel for her/him in having to go through what they have. But, we do have a very healthy bulldog purchased from Ferner's.
kphooper33
United States of AmericaUnfortunate, but not the norm
#4Consumer Comment
Thu, March 03, 2011
My girlfriend and I purchased a male Bulldog puppy from Ferner's in 2009. He is a beautiful, strong male bully. The vet comments every time we bring him in, how impressed he is with the breathing of the line, and that he expects "Winston" will live a long healthy life because of it. It appears this person may have had a bad result, but c'mon people these things are Animals, not cars. Hell, my mothers ex-champion pug has seizures. It is terrible, but it happens. Things can and do go wrong. From my personal experience, Jennifer wouldn't sell me the dog without knowing where and to what climate the dog was going to. She was extremely informative, providing AKC papers, and pictures of the parents (now that he is grown, it is obvious that the pictures are of the actual parents). These dogs are not a walk in the park though. They can have multiple skin, joint, respiratory issues. That is the price you pay when you breed a dog to be as awesome as they little guys are. I am sorry that this other person had such a negative experience, but we will be getting our 2nd Bully from Jennifer in a year or so, and are looking forward to doing so.
OSB
wooster,Ohio,
United States of America
I bought there too
#4Consumer Comment
Fri, October 01, 2010
I agree....I bought a puppy from ferner bulldogs too and he had asperated pnemonia and died 3 weeks after i bought him...he was weezing and cost me 1800 to save him and he passed anyways...Ferners offered me nothing...they are brokers and a puppy mill supporter!!!