Detached Ligaments - SBTs (Health & Legal Advice)

This is going to be a long thread but here goes.

When OH and girlfriend broke up they had a 1 year old male SBT and a 2 year old female SBT. it was decided that when my OH moved out, he would stay with his mum in her flat until he could find a house then he would take on the younger male. Well he found a house with garden after a couple of months and rang up to tell girlfriend and she wouldnt give in. Apparently even after agreeing OH has the male... she later decided he wouldnt be fit to look after him as he didnt look after him properly before. This is ridiculas, I knew him before and knew the dogs and he was brilliant with both of them. he rang her up various times and it was still NO. Now, she wont even meet up with him so he can see them.

Ex and her mum live next door to each other. Mum now moving down south, ex works full time, 8 hours. The eldest dog has severe separation anxiety and not left this long before.

months back when OH rang to check up on them it was reported that one of the dogs had previously hurt her front leg and is limping... OH said take her to the vets. it wasnt until 5 weeks later she was taken. now 4 months later she now has a detached ligament and arthritus apparently caused by the 1st injury, she now has to be walked on a short lead and not let off to prevent further injury. She has been to the vets once about this and nothing has taken off - no op booked, no supplements taken - nothing. Apprently they are changing vets, but havent got round to having her looked at again. I stressed it was urgent... but after her 1st vets visit a week back, they still havent been back.

OH feels powerless, he feels like they are not being looked after properly and there is nothing he can do about it... so we have some questions..

1) Are detached ligament common in Staffordshire Bull Terriers. As one of the reasons for not taking anything up is detached ligaments and arthiritus is common in staffs?

2) Is there anything we could recommend in terms of better quality food and supplements

3) what is the severity of a detached ligament?

4) is there any legal action OH can take up to claim the dogs based on the fact that we both dont think they are being looked after properly?

5) any vets specialised in SBT's and / or detached ligaments people can recommend

Sorry its a long post = but we are at our wits end...
xxxxx

Oh dear, wheres all the staffy people
We really need some advice as we are talking to her tonight about it...

By detached ligament do you mean luxating patella?
If so have a read of this
http://www.staffords.co.uk/sbtvet/patella.htm
Paul Boland who wrote this piece is a vet in Liverpool who specialises in staffys and owns the Scousious affix

with regard to the legal side of things I think you would find it VERY difficult to prove this poor dog isnt being looked after- even though i agree and they should be doing more to help this poor dog

Are you in a position to take the dog if the offer was made?

Thanks Lel, I will have a look at that. Unfortunately they havent told us much and are reluctant to tell us more information... we are just trying to help. With regards to taking the dogs on, yes we would put ourselves in a good position to take them on. Although we currently have fosters ATM, but all dogs concerned are doggy friendly. I cannot see it happening, but we know if we had them, we are going to be working PT soon and also have someone close who can have them during the day. Other things we have talked about as well is carrying on the eldests socialisation as she is becomming more unfriendly towards people...

If you are going to see this lady tonight remember to stay calm and friendly- not always easy to do when you are worrying but if you get into an argument etc she will be reluctant to let you know whats happening both now and in the future

Just wondering whose name the dogs are registered in.
If they are in both names than your other half might stand a better chance, but if they are in her name I can't see you being to do anything about it.
When me and my partner split up earlier this year I took our three Staffies with me. Luckily they were all in my name so he didn't have a leg to stand on.

Mitch

one of them was registered at the vets under OH name but they have changed it... it might be an idea looking into their insurance policy becuase I think its in OH name.... thanks

Are they registered with the kennel club.

Mitch

Oh, sorry - no theyre not, they are not KC registered.