On sick puppy

I refer to Daniel Seow's letter Sick puppy (Sept. 8).

It is really sad that pets still are sold over the counter like fresh buns, because many people don't know what to look for. With this in mind, I would urgently like to pass on some advice as I have professionally bred dogs and cats.

First: especially with races like German Shepherds, Boxers and other dogs of this height and bigger, you have to know the parents of your puppy in order to know the character of the dog you are buying. Otherwise you can risk buying a killer machine. This can happen due to inbreeding and, unfortunately, a lot of people think it is macho to show a really mean dog. Sad but true.

Second, you never know if your puppy has hipdysplasie, HD. This is very painful for the dog and unfortunately HD only shows up as your dog is growing up and you almost always end up having to put it to sleep.

Third, puppies should have been vaccinated before they are sold.

Fourth, worm medicine should have been given to the mother and the puppies as soon as the puppies are two weeks old and thereafter every two weeks till the age of three months. Then four times a year.

Fifth, puppies should have been given the proper food, e.g. Eukanuba puppy food. It seems expensive, but it is the only way to guarantee a healthy dog which only needs a vet for the yearly shots. A penny wise -- a pound foolish!

Sixth, puppies should have a tattoo. A tattoo does not mean that your dog has a pedigree certificate but will help identify it in case it gets lost. Cats could also have tattoos now. If anybody wants to contact me please feel free to do so. My address is: Jl. Hang Lekiu 1-10, Kebayoran Baru, Jakarta; Tel./fax 021- 7261662.

G.C. BROUERIUS VAN NIDEK

Jakarta