Took the pup to the vet yesterday to get her looked at for possible urinary tract infection. Dr. found a high concentrate of crystals in her urine when she finally got her to pee. We're treating that wih Clavamox and seeing where it leads us. She seems like she wants to pee all the time but no pee comes out, maybe a drop here or there. Then after drinking water, she immediately pees. Can't quite figure this out but this morning she had a good stool but the same problem still existed. We will keep watching her.

It's what else the Dr. found that bothers us. The puppy has either a heart murmur or a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus). This is where the vessel used to seal the puppies blood past the lungs did not seal after being born. Looks like we are going to have to do an ultrasound to see if it is just a murmur or PDA.

Dr. believes it to be PDA due to the severity of the swishing noise when checking the heart. Also they can feel it as the heart beats. On a scale of 1-6 she rates it a high 3-4. PDA will require surgery to fix. A murmur could go away on it's own or be treated with medicine.

Wife and I are trying to decide what to do at this time. We have contacted the breeder and let him know about the condition.

Goddammit! Puppy time is supposed to be wonderful, fun, frustrating, joy time. Sorry your puppy is sick.

In addition to the UTI treatment, have the vet run a UPC (urine protein creatinine ratio). This is an early indicator test for renal dysfunction.

Incidentally, what breed is your pup and how old?

I believe this is the one. Sheltie.

Sheltie, hmm...

Not a breed prone to renal failure, although there is currently a study initiative underway according to the national breed club. The CHIC testing for the breed does include optional testing for congenital cardiac issues, which would include PDA, and indicates that cardiac issues are common enough to warrant testing for, but not common enough to warrant mandatory testing for obtaining a CHIC number.

Especially with the PDA diagnosis, you should follow up with a board certified canine cardiologist if you plan on keeping your puppy. Hopefully your breeder guarantees his dogs against congenital problems.

Thanks guys.

It's breaking my heart but the vet seemed to think we are headed for a worse pain trying to save the pup. In her experience this is very severe and most times doesn't have a good outcome.

The breeder called back this morning and he is very concerened as well. He has requested that we return the pup to him. He has offered to refund or exchange. He just had a new littler born 10 days ago. He's a good guy that only raises shelties and exclaimed that he would not have given us the pup if he knew this condition existed and this was the first time he's received such news on one of his pups. I believe him. He is well liked and highly reguarded here locally.

Good deal, OP. I feel sorry for both the little guy and y'all, but it's good that the breeder is trying to make it right. Sounds like an ethical guy.

Double tap.