We had mixed results with Tropico Kennels.in February of last year we purchased a male goldendoodle from Tropico which has grown into a fine healthy dog. We purchased a female goldendoodle from them a month later from a different litter who has not been so fortunate. Late last year we noticed the female puppy was tiring and bunny hopping.
We took her to our veterinarian, who had been recommended by Tropico, Dr. Karen Martin of East/West Veterinary in Thousand Oaks, CA. Karen x-rayed the dog and told us it looked like she had hip dysplasia and recommended we see a veterinary surgeon at the Veterinary Surgery and Medical Group in Ventura for a more comprehensive set of tests. These tests, which cost us ~$1700, showed that the diagnosis was correct... The dog had hip dysplasia. After some gut renching soul searching, we opted not to subject our puppy to radical surgery.
We contacted Tropico in accordance with the CA puppy lemon law which states that if the condition is discovered within a year of purchase that we would be entitled to recoup reasonable veterinary fees for the dog, but not more than 150% of the sale price of $1250. After one email and two letters sent registered mail and containing copies of the medical reports they replied.
It is Tropico's position that they are not liable under the CA pupply lemon law for reason's they stated they would not disclose unless we take them to court. (I'm at a loss to understand why they are not liable; they had many more than two litters of puppies running around their property when my husband and I purchased our dogs.)
They implied that both Karen Martin and the doctors at the Veterinary Surgery and Medical Group had taken the x-rays improperly, that Pen Hip was inaccurate at best and that both Karen and the Surgery center were only trying to drum up business for themselves. They insisted that we get another x-ray at a vet of their choice... I'm assuming at our own expense since they did offer to pay.
I'm not sure what we are going to do about this now but I do know that I will never purchase an animal from Tropico again.
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